How Do I Deal with Feeling Weak in Faith While Struggling with Addiction?
Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Question
As someone struggling with addiction, how do I avoid feeling overwhelming guilt?
How do I not feel that my faith is weak because of my ongoing struggle with sin?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful and Compassionate.
I pray that you are well, insha’Allah. May Allah grant you strength, clarity, and sincerity in your struggle, and reward you for your concern about your relationship with Him.
The Relationship Between Sin and Faith
There is no doubt that there is a relationship between obedience to Allah and the increase of faith, just as there is a relationship between sin and the weakening of faith. This is a well-established principle in Islamic belief.
One of the great texts of Islamic creed, Jawharat al-Tawhid of Imam Ibrahim al-Laqani, affirms that the chosen position is that faith increases with everything that increases a person’s obedience to Allah, and that faith diminishes with the diminishment of obedience.
Sin does weaken faith. However, this refers to sin that has not been repented of.
Repentance Wipes Away Sin
The one who repents from sin is like one who never sinned. The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) informed us:
“Allah truly accepts the repentance of His servant until the very last breath.”
Allah Most High describes Himself as the One who accepts the repentance of His servants. It is He alone who accepts repentance.
Accordingly, if you have sincerely repented, your slate is clean.
Broken-Heartedness and Not Accepting the Sin
While repentance wipes away sin, one should cultivate broken-heartedness for the sake of Allah. This does not mean accepting the sin itself. Instead, it means refusing to be content with the sin you are struggling with, even as you continue striving to leave it.
Part of completing repentance is not only turning away from the sin, but striving to fulfill its conditions as completely as possible.
The Conditions of Repentance
The conditions of repentance are three:
- Remorse for the sake of Allah.
- Leaving the sin for the sake of Allah.
- Resolving never to return to it.
This is repentance: remorse, leaving the sin, and firm resolve.
Cultivating Shame Before Allah
Strengthening repentance includes cultivating a sense of modesty and shame before Allah, known as haya’. This sense of shame makes repentance more urgent and sincere.
Imam al-Junayd explained haya’ as follows: one looks at the greatness of Allah’s blessings upon oneself, then looks at one’s own shortcomings, and between the two arises a state called shame.
The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:
“Shame is from faith.”
Cultivating this sense of shame before Allah strengthens repentance and nurtures faith.
Breaking the Habit Through Guidance
Along with repentance, one must work to break the habit itself. If you have been struggling on your own for some time, have the courage to consult those who understand addiction. This may be a scholar, particularly one grounded in Islamic spirituality, who can help you break harmful habits.
Human desires can become entrenched habits, and people often struggle to break them on their own. The science of spiritual purification and the role of true spiritual guides is to help people reach Allah through acquiring good habits and pruning bad ones.
If you are repentant, you are a believer.
Striving Is a Sign of Faith
If you are genuinely striving to rectify your habits, then you are already on the path of faith. Allah Most High says:
“As for those who struggle in Our cause, We will surely guide them along Our Way. And Allah is certainly with the good-doers.” [Quran, 29:69]
The people of excellence are those who continue striving for the good. May Allah make us among them.
And Allah is the giver of success and facilitation.
[Shaykh] Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Faraz Rabbani is a recognized specialist scholar in the Islamic sciences, having studied under leading scholars from around the world. He is the Founder and Executive Director of SeekersGuidance.
Shaykh Faraz stands as a distinguished figure in Islamic scholarship. His journey in seeking knowledge is marked by dedication and depth. He spent ten years studying under some of the most revered scholars of our times. His initial studies took place in Damascus. He then continued in Amman, Jordan.
In Damascus, he was privileged to learn from the late Shaykh Adib al-Kallas. Shaykh Adib al-Kallas was renowned as the foremost theologian of his time. Shaykh Faraz also studied under Shaykh Hassan al-Hindi in Damascus. Shaykh Hassan is recognized as one of the leading Hanafi jurists of our era.
Upon completing his studies, Shaykh Faraz returned to Canada in 2007. His return marked a new chapter in his service to the community. He founded SeekersGuidance. The organization reflects his commitment to spreading Islamic knowledge. It aims to be reliable, relevant, inspiring, and accessible. This mission addresses both online and on-the-ground needs.
Shaykh Faraz is also an accomplished author. His notable work includes “Absolute Essentials of Islam: Faith, Prayer, and the Path of Salvation According to the Hanafi School,” which was published by White Thread Press in 2004 and is a significant contribution to Islamic literature.
His influence extends beyond his immediate community. Since 2011, Shaykh Faraz has been recognized as one of the 500 most influential Muslims. This recognition comes from the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center. It underscores his impact on the global Islamic discourse.
Shaykh Faraz Rabbani’s life and work embody a profound commitment to Islamic scholarship. His teachings continue to enlighten and guide seekers of knowledge worldwide.
