How Can I Remove Guilty Thoughts That Stop Me From Praying?
- Say, “O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.” [Quran 39:53]
- And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me – indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided. [Quran 2:186]
Do not give in to these thoughts for they are but whispers from the devil (waswasa). When they come to you, don’t pay them attention and let them flutter away. There will come a time where they will not return.
Make a habit of making fresh ablution (wudhu) before each obligatory prayer. This will help you in bring Allah, Most High to heart, and repel the devil. The Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “The key to paradise is prayer, and the key to prayer is ablution’.” [Tirmidhi, al-Sunan]
Keep yourself engaged in the remembrance of Allah, Most High. This can be by a daily routine of zikr, taking a class, or sitting with righteous people.
Repent to Allah, Most High from any wrongdoings with certainty that he will forgive you.
