Fatwa #453423 August 2020United Kingdom
Waswasa during Istinjaa - How do i get rid of this?
Question
As salamu alaykum, I am an 18 year old girl and for almost 1 year I have been suffering from waswasa when I go to the toilet and do istinja. It used to take me 10 minutes but now it takes me about 35 minutes and sometimes even longer just to perform istinja even after only doing a number 1. I know I’m supposed to ignore the waswasa but I feel that I’m so used to washing myself for so long that I don’t know how to clean myself quickly whilst still being Taahir. Also I’m constantly wondering if everything around me is Taahir or not and when I clean an impurity e.g. blood off a surface, I take too long cleaning it, even if it appears clean. Please help me to get rid of this waswasa. Jazakallah Khair.
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
Sister in Islam,
May Allah expel such thoughts from your mind and alleviate you from this predicament you are being faced with. Ameen
Allah Ta’ala says:
إِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا (94:6)
Translation: “Indeed, with hardship [will be] ease.”
Sister, Shaytaan tries to cause unnecessary doubts in a person’s mind. One should not pay heed to these whisperings of Shaytaan. If one falls into this trap of Shaytaan, his Deen will become difficult for him.
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said,
عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: إن الدين يسر، ولن يشاد الدين إلا غلبه، فسددوا وقاربوا وأبشروا، واستعينوا بالغدوة والروحة وشيء من الدلجة
Translation: “Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, the religion (of Islam) is easy, and whoever makes the religion a rigour, it will overpower him. So, follow a middle course (in worship) …” (Bukahri-145)
We gauge from your query that you constantly experience doubts (Waswasa) about Taharah (purity) to the extent that it is affecting your life and creating difficulty for yourself.
Our advice is you seek medical treatment for your OCD. There are many people who experience similar problems and get medical treatment. Also adopt a kick away attitude towards the Waswasa.
Also read the following in abundance:
1) Recite:
أَعُوْذُ باِللهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيْمْ
Translation: “I seek refuge in Allah from the dejected devil.”
2) Recite the following Du’aa:
لا حول و لا قوة الاالله
Translation: “There is no power to neither do any good nor prevent any evil except in Allah”
3) Recite Surah Falaq, Surah Naas and Surah Ikhlaas thrice as much as possible.
4) Allah (SubhanahuWaTa’ala) says in the Qur’an:
الا بذكر الله تطمئن القلوب
Translation: “Behold! The hearts attain tranquillity through the Zikr of Allah” (13:28)
The above verse expounds on the importance of Zikrullah. Make excessive Zikrullah and Insha’Allah, your heart will find tranquillity and peace from such thoughts. Shaytaan flees from the person who makes Zikrullah.
We also advise you to listen to the following discourse delivered by my honourable teacher, Mufti Ebrahim Desai Hafizahullah, in regards to dealing with Waswasah:
https://daruliftaa.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Before-Zuhr-23.mp3
https://daruliftaa.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/After-Zuhr-23.mp3
You may also read the following book: Combating the Whisperings of Shaitan by Shaykh Yunus Patel (Rahimahullaah) for effective methods on dealing with Waswasah. Kindly refer to the following link to download the book: http://islamicexorcism.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/combating-the-whisperings-of-shaytaan.pdf
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Ahmad Patel
Student Darul Iftaa
South Africa
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.