Category: Waswasah - whisperings
Section: Introduction
153
A number of patients complain about severe whisperings, known in Arabic as waswasah. These can take the form of voices or compulsive thoughts. These thoughts are often blasphemous and can be extremely disturbing for the patient, so disturbing even that many people question their faith.While Ruqyah is an important means of treatment, there are still some other things that can be done.
Section: The thoughts come from Shaitan
154
Realize that the thoughts come from Shaitan.One should not think that one is an evil person or is responsible for these things. The proof of this is the statement of the Prophet (ﷺ) : "Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, will forgive my ummah for whatever crosses their minds, as long as they do no act upon it or speak of it." [Bukhari and Muslim]
Section: Such thoughts have plagued even some of the Sahabas
155
Realize that such thoughts have plagued even some of the Prophet's companions.Abu Hurayrah (Ra) reported that some of the people of the messenger of Allah came to him and said: Indeed we perceive in our minds that which every one of us considers too grave to express'. He replied, "Do you really perceive it?" They said, "Yes." He said, "That is true faith. [Muslim]Ibn 'Abbas (Ra) narated that a man came to the Messenger and said, "O Messenger of Allah!One of us has thoughts of such a nature that he would rather be reduced to charcoal than speak about them." The Messenger (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "Allah is the Greatest! Allah is the Greatest! Allah is the Greatest! All praise be to Allah wh has reduced (the shaytan's) plot to whispering. [Muslim 2203]
Section: Reject these thoughts
156
One must persistently reject these thoughts, and it is important that one does this every time. When such thoughts appear, do the following:1. Mention the greatness of Allah and his perfection, either by saying Allahu Akbar or SubhanAllah.2. Seek refuge with Allah from Satan by saying A'udhu billahi min ash-shaytanir-rajim or something similar:أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيـمِTransliteration: A'oodhu billaahi minash-Shaytaanir-rajeem.Translation: I seek refuge in Allah from Satan the outcast. [Muslim 2203]3. Confirm your faith in Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ) reciting the following Adhkaar:آمَنْتُ بِاللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِTransliteration: Aamantu billaahi wa RusulihiTranslation: I believe in Allah and His Messenger. [Muslim 134]هُوَ الْأوَّلُ وَالْآخِرُ وَالظَّاهِرُ وَالْبَاطِنُ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌTransliteration: Huwal-'Awwalu wal-'Aakhiru wadh-Dhaahiru wal-Baatinu, wa Huwa bikulli shay'in 'AleemTranslation: He is the First and the Last, the Most High and the Most Near. And He is the Knower of all things. [Abu Dawood 5110]4. Seek Allah's forgiveness, either with a simple Astaghfirullah or something more:أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ الْعَظِيمَ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيهِTransliteration: Astaghfirullaahal-'Adheemal-ladhee laa 'ilaaha 'illaa Huwal-Hayyul-Qayyoomu wa 'atoobu 'ilayhiTranslation:I seek Allah's forgiveness, besides whom, none has the right to be worshipped except He, The Ever Living, The Self-Subsisting and Supporter of all, and I turn to Him in repentance. [Abu Dawood: 1517, At-Tirmidhi: 3577]اَللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، خَلَقْتَنِيْ وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ، أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ، وَأَبُوءُ بِذَنْبِيْ فَاغْفِرْ لِي فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَTransliteration: Allaahumma anta rabbee laa ilaaha illaa anta, khalaqtanee wa-ana ‘abduka, wa-ana ‘alaa ‘ahdika wawa‘dika mas-tata‘tu, a‘oothu bika min sharri maa sana‘tu, aboo-o laka bini‘matika ‘alayya, wa-aboo-o bithanbee, faghfir lee fa-innahu laa yaghfirudh dhunooba illaa anta.Translation: O Allah, You are my Lord, none has the right to be worshipped except You, You created me and I am Your servant and I abide to Your covenant and promise as best I can, I take refuge in You from the evil of which I have committed. I acknowledge Your favour upon me and I acknowledge my sin, so forgive me, for verily none can forgive sin except You. [Bukhari, Muslim and others]This dhikr is the best for asking forgiveness from Allah. The Prophet said, whoever says this dhikr in the morning and dies that day goes to paradise, and whoever says it in the evening and dies in that night goes to paradise.
Section: Other means
157
Take the steps already mentioned to protect yourself from the Satans. The house is also to be protected by reciting Al-Baqarah and removing everything that the Jinn attracts, such as TV, music, pictures and photos. One should also carry out the 7-day program.Even if the thoughts themselves are not a sin, it is a good habit to get in to asking forgiveness, and there are several reports of the companions seeking forgiveness for things in which it isn't clear that they did anything wrong. Furthermore, seeking Allah's forgiveness frequently will push the shaytan away from you and make you closer to Allah, as well as putting your mind at ease when you feel a degree of responsibility for these thoughts.There shouldn't be any Jinn, no matter how persistent, who can bear this over a prolonged period, and when used in addition to Ruqyah, the seven day program, and while protecting yourself and your house, your problems will disappear, by the permission of Allah, the Exalted.