Dealing with Devilish Insinuations Regarding the Existence of God

Answered by Shaykh Faraz A. Khan

Question: Shaitan is making me doubt the existence of Allah and putting wrong things about Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) in my mind. How to deal with it?

Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah,

I pray this finds you in the best of health and states. The following are some short pieces of advice that can help deal with your problem inshaAllah:

(1) Ignore the devil. There is no doubt that you believe in Allah and the Prophet Muhammad. You hold the Beloved Messenger in high regard, and you believe in his sincerity, truthfulness, gracious character and prophethood. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and all prophets.

You are a believer, and the fact that you are concerned and disturbed by these whisperings is a proof of your faith. You are disgusted by such notions, and only a believer hates the devil.

Turn to Allah with love and gratitude. This is the most potent weapon against the devil, who hates the servant who is sincere and grateful. Our sincerity to Allah renders the devil’s insinuations utterly weak and useless.

(2) Stay busy and preoccupy yourself with beneficial things. Participate in activities that enrich yourself and others, and find projects of service to those in need. As the English idiom goes, “Idle time is the devil’s playground,” as well as “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.”

This is a reality, and we should take heed of it. If a person is exhausted at the end of the day — from work, from studying, from serving others, from taking care of their family, or from any other righteous action — then such a person has no energy to entertain foolishness. The devil leaves such people alone, as he knows his baseless whisperings will have no effect on them.

(3) Keep good company, people who motivate you and elevate your spiritual state. Too many of our young folk get caught up in bad virtual company, and doors of satanic whisperings and doubt become opened. Indeed, garbage and filth only attract fleas.

Allah Most High states, “O you who believe! Fear Allah, and be with the sincere and truthful.” (9:119)

When you are around beauty, you will not think of ugliness; and when you are around light, darkness dissipates.

(4) Be a person of prayer and remembrance of Allah.

Realize that the devil is a creation of Allah, and that Allah alone is in full control. So seek refuge in Allah, the only One with power, by saying, ‘A’udhu bi Llahi min ash-shaytani r-rajim.’ [Bukhari, Muslim]

Recite Ayat al-Kursi, as well as the last three surahs (Ikhlas, Falaq, Nas), every morning and evening. [Tabarani, Mu’jam Kabir]

Be consistent in the remembrance of Allah (dhikr), especially by sending salutations upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Maintain a strong relationship with the Qur’an, reading some portion daily, however little.

Make sure you pray all five prayers on time, and try to attend the mosque for as many of the five as you can. Again, when a person is busy with good, there is no time or energy for its opposite.

Make supplication (dua) to Allah to help you deal with these thoughts. Be keen to observe the various etiquettes of dua, such as eating lawful and wholesome food, praying with sincerity and focus, and being certain that Allah will answer your dua.

I pray that these whisperings cease, and that you come out of this trial with strengthened faith and conviction in Allah Almighty.

And Allah knows best.
wassalam
Faraz A. Khan

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani