How to increase focus in Prayers and how to fight Shaitani Whispers.
As-salam-alaikum,
I live in a non Islamic country and there is no religious atmosphere neither at home nor around. We did not have any Islamic education. I am hyper sensitive and curious by nature, during my teenage, I learnt recitation of holy Quran but without meaning and without thorough learning, it resulted soon I stopped reciting doubting if I could be reciting wrong. I had started offering salah too but without knowing its meaning nor its importance. I got close to my deen under influence of some muslim, I started offering salah (even pushed myself for it even when i was terribly ill) & started surfing net to learn about Islam. But this brought a lot of questions in mind which were not answered, I felt more confused. But when I saw true colour of such double standard Muslims, I lost interest in learning about Islam thinking morality is what matters most in Islam than being such hypocrite Muslims, but in this i lost my prayers.
Simultaneously, what happened was that while offering my salah, I started having some sort of whispers- bad thoughts about my religion & even almighty (Astaghfirruah), they used to be so bad that I cant ever bring them on my lips nor can write. I used to feel so guilty within but I could not share with anyone. At that time, I felt that trying to learn more about Islam is actually taking me away from my deen. Feeling guilty of having those bad thoughts, I stopped surfing internet and eventually started skipping offering salah too.I must mention that whatever little steps i had taken to learn about my deen or offering salah were not encouraged by parents/family as such and i too could not realize its importance
when I got a breakdown in life then I realize about my major sins, how I got far from my deen, this brought me immense guilty & sort of depression.. Since then, I am really struggling within to practice Islam, those bad thoughts about my deen and even God (astaghfirruah) have again started troubling me so much that throughout the day& night , I keep on getting them and keep on seeking forgiveness from almighty and burn in fire of guilty for having them. I am constantly fighting with them but I feel tired of them but now I don’t want to stop practicing my deen at any cost
I know and believe that Islam is only true religion . The only source of learning about Islam available to me is internet. If i have learnt 10 good things about Islam/religious practices from Internet but then i have also thousand of questions/queries/ doubts- of which i could not find answer or understand answers at my own. If i read about miracles done by our prophets, I got astonished like a child if they were really done (astagfirruah) or when i read about punishments prescribed for missing prayers, i shiver , i shiver so badly that i pressurize myself to offer salah, even when i don't feel like to or even when i am unwell. When i offer prayer in such condition, i feel bad and i get thought that i am offering prayer when my body or mind is not into it and thus it wont be accepted!!! this bring me more guilt.
This Ramadan was my first that I offered all my five times prayers, even offered Chasht prayers too). I must share that offering salah brings me a unique kind of peace to me. now i love my prayers and i dont to leave it , i want to throw away satan.
A concerning thought( reminding me about my sinful past, about my skipped prayers, about satanic whispers of all sorts I have got till date ) keeps coming to my mind all day and night. I cant even sleep properly. I feel like to die than having such thought
I seek your guidance/advice on the following-
- I have read on internet ( a Hadees) that we will be punished only for our spoken words and action but not for what we thought/planned/intended within. Is that REALLY a fact? if yes, it would give at least some instant relief to me.
- Do I have some psychological problem (OCD) or it all due to Shaitaan (satan) and my lack of Islamic knowledge/practice & my frustrating painful past life/present?
- Is it normal to get distracted or hear whisper while offering Salah? As I read on internet, whenever I get a whisper/satanic thought, I stop and say “Auzoo Billahi Minash Shaytaan Nir Rajeem” & “Astaghfirruah” and continue with my prayer. Sometimes I forget about surah/rakat/counting of Sajda. When I feel confused, I restart afresh(not whole namaz). Am I doing right?
- Can you suggest me some authentic/good website, from where I can learn about Islam
- What is the exact ruling on not able to offer prayer due to being unwell/ being out of the house(shopping/visiting /other necessary tasks) ? How to decide whether you can or you cant offer your salah when you are ill (for example, i got sore throat, cold and fever- i felt weak & that i wont be able to do wudu/ or wont be able to focus on namaz? still i thought i would atleast offer Fard prayers and took medicine but ultimately i was feeling so unwell that i could not but this brought immense guilt to me as i could talk to kids/ watch tv(though with no interest but not offering salah)
- Since I have started offering Salah, I have become conscious about purity of body/clothes. (a) At work place, I do wudu in westernized toilet ( using hand wash basin), sometimes some drop of water fall on my dress (Somebody told me that used water shouldn’t touch your cloth/body as it invalidates wudu- is it a fact??) (b) since I have urination problem, I pass urine first before started wudu. I am told that Niyat for wudu cannot be made in toilet. Is it true? Could you please guide me about ruling of purity/impurity?
- I have urination problem since young age, I have tried out medical treatments and tests but of no help. I have frequent urge to pass urine and gas problem too. Though I avoid eating spicy food and take balance water intake but still this problem is persisting and this troubles me a lot in focusing while offering my salah. I afraid of passing gas. Sometimes I get gas pass from my vagina. Then I read on internet that passing wind/gas from vagina does not invalidate wudu I also read that prophet (pbup) said that if there is sound or smell from anus then only wudu invalidates. Is it a fact? how to increase focus in prayers with such problems? (i feel guilty here too as i have seen many Muslim who are handicapped but how religious they are then why cant i!)
- If I am not able to memories Surah Qunoot for Witr prayer, then I can recite seeing from the book.
- I try to inspire my family members towards practicing but response is mixed so far. This makes me feel dejected. How to boost such low mood?
Please guide point wise and do dua for me. Jaza-kallahu Khairan
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ASSALAMLAIKUM
People often forget the importance of the simple yet powerful dua (supplication) – Istighfar i.e., saying “Astaghfirullah” (I seek forgiveness of Allah). Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to recite this at least 100 times a day. Let us see the benefits and virtues of reciting this simple beautiful supplication insha Allah.
Istighfar (Astaghfirullah) is the gateway of relief and happiness. Whenever you are in distress start reciting it and Insha Allah it will take you out of your anxiety and will put you in a peaceful situation and will give you happiness.
Istighfar removes anxiety and duas are answered.
Istighfar opens the door of sustenance.
Istighfar opens the door of mercy.
Istighfar opens the door of knowledge.
Istighfar is also gateway of productivity.
Istighfar relieves you. When you feel that sadness within you, when you are disturbed and frustrated, when anxiety surrounds you, say “Astaghfirullah” “Astaghfirullah”…
Reciting Astaghfiruallah is an effective method of calming our self and wipes away the variety of worldly worries from our mind and body. It may also help us, if we are suffering from depression, it calm us and lessen our depression.
Astaghfirullah also helps us to refrain from all forms of sins. Regularly saying this reminds us that Allah is everywhere and in this way there is very small chances of doing wrongful actions.
Ibn Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said,
“If anyone constantly seeks pardon (from Allah), Allah will appoint for him a way out of every distress and a relief from every anxiety, and will provide sustenance for him from where he expects not.” [Abu Dawud].
In another hadith, Abdullah bin Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said:
“The one who (regularly) says Istighfaar, that is, frequently repent to Allah Ta’aala for sins committed, Allah Azza Wa-Jal will open a path from poverty and difficulties. All sorrow and hardship will be removed, and in its place prosperity and contentment granted. One will receive sustenance from unimagined and unexpected sources.”
Through this hadith Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) tells us to:
1. Seek the beneficial.
2. Ask Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) for help.
3. Be optimistic. Nothing is impossible if Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) wills it for you.
4. Don’t cry over spilt milk.
5. Trust Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) in what He has willed for you.
Time is like a river . . . You cannot touch the same water twice, because the flow has passed and will never pass again. If there is something that will benefit you, make every effort and go after it! Seek it out!
There is no failure, only lessons.
“Say: 'O My slaves who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah, verily Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [Soorah az-Zumar (39): 53]
STEPS OT DRAW CLOSER TO ALLAH......
1. Fulfilling obligatory duties and abstaining from prohibited matters
2. Nawafil prayers (superogatory prayers)
3. Zikr (remembrance of Allah) and glorification of Allah
4. Calling upon Allah in Dua (supplication)
Allah the most compassionate says in the Holy Quran, "Call on Me. I will answer your prayer, but those who are too arrogant to serve me will surely find themselves humiliated in Hell" (40:60).
5. Building a close relationship with the Qur’an
6. Keeping good company
One of the most important things we must do, which sadly many people neglect, is that we should avoid bad company. People we should avoid taking as friends those who speak too freely, who miss Salah, who do not dress modestly, who backbite, slander etc.
7. Having fear and hope in Allah
Indeed, no one despairs of relief from Allah except the disbelieving people. (Surah Yusuf 12:87)
One must be hopeful of Allahs mercy and forgiveness and fearful of His punishment. It is this fear that should lead one to seek Allahs forgiveness with hope. Allah says:
'Is one who worships devotedly during the night, prostrating himself or standing, fearing the Hereafter, and hoping for the mercy of his Lord (is equal to him who doesn't do these things)?' (Al Zumar, 9)
Hope then also demands fear. If that was not the case, one would be in a state of false security. Conversely, fear demands hope. Without that it would be despair.
Fear and hope, both should be equally proportioned in our hearts, in our worship, and in our dua to Allah. Allah says:
Call out to Him with fear and hope. (Surat al-Araaf 7:56)
They forsake their beds to call their Lord in fear and hope. (Surat as-Sajdah 32:16)
2:257. Allâh is the Walî (Protector or Guardian) of those who believe. He brings them out from darkness into light. But as for those who disbelieve, their Auliyâ (supporters and helpers) are Tâghût [false deities and false leaders, etc.], they bring them out from light into darkness. Those are the dwellers of the Fire, and they will abide therein forever.
AsSalamu Alaikum a guided soul,
In addition to what has been said above by brother ALI YOUSUFF, you may also want to learn much about Aqeedah (Islamic creed). Please check this site for free Islamic diploma courses http://www.islamiconlineuniversity.com/diploma/
May Allah protect you. Ameen.
Recite lahola quwata illa billahil aliul azeem 100times and you will be safe Frm problem inshallah
Assalam'alaykum,
Since you said you are a practising, its clear now that you are in the middle of a battle against a higher ranked shaytan, therefore you have to seek refuge in Allah Jalla Jalaluh. The evil thoughts you are getting are only wisphers of shaytan (waswasa).
Allah said: " And if an evil whisper from Shaitan tries to turn you away , then seek refuge in Allah. Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower." (Quran 41:36)
That means say 'audhubillahi min ash shaytan ir rajim' and think of something else. Try hard to remove the evil thoughts and don't concentrate on it. Its something you can't really control and insha'Allah you won't be held accountable for it.
Prophet said: “The Shaytaan comes between me and my prayers and my recitation, confusing me therein.” The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “That is a devil called Khanzab. If he affects you seek refuge in Allah from him and spit drily to your left three times.” He [the Sahaabi] said, I did that and Allaah took him away from me. (Sahih Muslim).
These satanic wisphers you're receiving is a sign of strong faith.
Some of the Sahaabah complained about the satanic wisphers (waswaas) that was bothering them. Some of the companions of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and said to him, ‘We find in ourselves thoughts that are too terrible to speak of.’ He said, ‘Are you really having such thoughts?’ They said, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘That is a clear sign of faith.’” (Sahih Muslim)
Al-Nawawi said in his commentary on this hadeeth (narration): “The Prophet’s words, ‘That is a clear sign of faith’ means, the fact that think of this waswaas as something terrible is a clear sign of faith, for if you dare not utter it and you are so afraid of it and of speaking of it, let alone believing it, this is the sign of one who has achieved perfect faith and who is free of doubt.” (Sharh Muslim)
Insha'Allah you are forgiven by the almightly Allah.
Prophet said: "Allah has forgiven my followers the evil thoughts that occur to their minds, as long as such thoughts are not put into action or uttered." (Sahih Bukhari)
Therefore, recite the Quran daily, especially surah Al Baqarah, Yaseen, An Nas and Falaq. Before going to bed recite Nas, Falaq and ayat al kursi. Play quranic recitations in your home so that these thought would stay away. Concentrate while praying. Read zikr daily and do not entertain these thoughts. Think of something else if and when it strikes again.
May Allah guide you. Ameen.