I Have Bad Thoughts About My Faith. How Should I Deal With Them?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Assalam’aleykum,

1. I know in my heart that my faith is strong and I always think that I will never leave islam but how can I be sure about that? I have bad thoughts about my faith!

2. Do I have to perform a ghusl after renewing my shahadah because of these doubts?

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,

Ignore it. What takes a person out of the fold of Islam is, as Imam Tahawi states, the very thing which brought them into it, namely, belief in Allah Most High and His Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace).

As for passing thoughts of disbelief and the like, they do no harm as long as you don’t act on them. Thus, say the ta`awwudh, ask Allah Most high for facilitation and success, and seek out some righteous company.

And consider taking the following free class: Excellence in Faith & Action (from Ghazali’s 40 Foundations of Religion)

And Allah Most High alone knows best.

wassalam,

Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani