Is Allah Helping Me Even Though I Don’t Pray?

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad

Question

Is it okay for me to think that Allah is helping me even though I don’t pray because of OCD?  I know it is a major sin, but before, I never used to perform ghusl because of my OCD, and I would delay it so much, but now I do it, alhamdulillah. I also read more Quran now, whereas before I didn’t. I also make more dua now; before, I didn’t. I want to pray, and I never used to take care of myself because of my mental health, but now I do, alhamdulillah. Is Allah helping me? Am I progressing? It is my goal to pray, and that’s why I want my OCD gone. Can I say to my family that I’m progressing and Allah is helping me?

Answer

Thank you for your question. May Allah reward you for your good intentions, and may he facilitate a mindset for you where you find it easy to pray.

Allah’s Aid

Allah (Most High) has told us in the Quran, “O ye who believe! If ye help Allah, He will help you and will make your foothold firm.” [Quran, 47:7]

And Allah (Most High) has told us in the Quran, “If Allah helps you, none can defeat you. But if He denies you help, then who else can help you? So in Allah let the believers put their trust.” [Quran, 3:160]

I most certainly feel that Allah (Most High) is helping you with the changes and improvements that you see. I urge you to continue to make dua for submission to your Lord and for aid in living Islam in the way that pleases Him. You may tell your family how you feel, but what matters most is that you praise Allah, thank Him for what He has given you, set your sights on Him in everything you do, and mention his name before starting anything.

Dua

Please say this dua daily

رَبِّ ٱجْعَلْنِى مُقِيمَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِى ۚ رَبَّنَا وَتَقَبَّلْ دُعَآءِ

My Lord! Make me and those ˹believers˺ of my descendants keep up prayer. Our Lord! Accept my prayers. [Quran, 14:40]

Please see these links as well:

• Can You Advise Me Now That I Want to Start Praying Again?
• How Can I Be More Steadfast in My Prayers?
• How to Attain Presence of Heart in Prayer

Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria, for two years, where she studied aqidah, fiqh, tajweed, tafsir, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin and completed her Master’s in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan, where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She later moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.