What Should I Do If I Have Doubts About Islam?
Question: What should I do if I have doubts about Islam?
Answer:
Assalam alaykum wa rahmatullah,
Dear sister,
May Allah bless you and increase you in certainty.
Some thoughts of doubt come to everyone at times. This is the devil whispering to put you in doubt about the faith.
Allah says in the Quran, “I will come at them- from their front and their back, from their right and they’re left- and You will find that most of them are ungrateful.” [Surat al-A’raf 7:17]
The commentators mention that the devil (shaytan) will try to put doubts in the person about their faith and the hereafter- making falsehood appear good- in order to lead them astray. [Tafsir ibn Kathir]
The Source Of Our Thoughts
Please read this to help you to distinguish where thoughts emerge from;
In general, do not worry about the thoughts, rather ignore them for they will go away.
One of the beauties of our faith and the mercy of our Lord is that bad thoughts are not something we will be held accountable for.
The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Allah forgives my ummah for the evil deeds their souls may whisper or suggest to them as long as they do not act on it or speak. ” [Bukhari]
Having Certainty and Next Steps
I would suggest that you focus on strengthening your faith.
1. Take a class on why Islam is true. I suggest this podcast below;
https://seekersguidance.org/podcast/why-islam-is-true/
2. Learn about your faith and its beauty. I myself taught a class just on this topic- see below
https://seekersguidance.org/courses/the-beauty-of-islam-discovering-gods-love-mercy-and-rewards-elective/
3. Focus on your prayer and remembering Allah more. The more you worship Allah and learn about your faith, the more you will increase in your faith.
4. Read the Quran and ponder on the message and deep meanings of it.
This is a great remedy for many problems and doubts. But read it with a sound and good commentary.
Daily Duas To Recite
Read your protective prayers every day. These will help against evil thoughts.
Consider the following duas three times in the morning and evening. They will protect you from harm and evil.
أَعُوذُ بِكلِمَاتِ الله التّامّاتِ مِن شَرّ مَا خَلَقَ
“I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from every evil that has been created ” (Sahih Muslim)
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الَّذِي لَا يَضُرُّ مَعَ اسْمِهِ شَيْءٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي السَّمَاءِ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ
“In the name of Allah, with Whose name nothing on earth or in heaven can harm—He is the All-Hearing and All-Knowing.” [Abu Dawud]
May Allah guide your steps and strengthen your faith.
