Fatwa #599830 May 2003United Kingdom
How can remedy the following problems: I frequently feel tired lacking in energy , I repeat actions several times eg I will check the same light is switched off 3 times, I keep washing my hands...
Question
How can remedy the following problems: I frequently feel tired lacking in energy , I repeat actions several times eg before sleeping I will check the same light is switched off 3 times, I keep washing my hands, I am repetitive in washing so that a shower takes me 20 mins when others do it in 5 mins. I am quite slow in general actions eg performing wudu takes at least 4 mins when rushing, but typically takes 5 mins. I find all this quite frustrating and sometimes feel unhappy when I think of the time I waste eg when I decide to go to bed I repeatedly check all the doors are locked, windows are shut, cooker and lights are off, but this usually takes 45 mins so I go to sleep too late and feel I do not get enough sleep. I find that there is not enough time in the day. Furthermore I work in a Consultancy firm and my work involves a lot of numerical work, I find I repeatedly check my work and so take longer to do my work. This is a problem as my work is charged to clients on an hourly basis and thus what I achieve in what time is sometimes scrutinised. Also during prayer uncertainty as whether I have prayed correctly appears in my mind and I feel the urge to repeat my prayers or feel unsure whether to repeat my prayers and if I do, I get frustrated. I am nearly 23 years old and feel I should be more energetic and less repetitive.
Answer
Alhumdulliah we highly commend you on taking the step to seek help and address your concerns. Masa Allah!%0D%0A%0D%0AIn order to devise a meanigful strategy to deal with your problems it would help if you would work through the following and respond via e-mail. You will also find a strategy of coping skills through one of your concerns. Work through this, respond to us on your trail and outcome. Do not despair; your efforts alone will be commendable and a step forward.%0D%0A%0D%0AFirsty work through a self assessment and self awareness excercise. Jot down all your positive strong points. What you enjoy and what you are good at. Secondly make a note of your health. Are you eating good healthy diet. This feeling of tiredness is it a regular issue are you aneamic? Is it related to your hormonal changes? Are you in need of Cal%2FMag or other vitamins check with your doctor. Assess your health situation. Some quick fixes for energy eg have a banana in the morning it ia a good mood lifter. Honey and cinaman in boiling water in the morning- acttivates energy levels.%0D%0A%0D%0AThirdly brainstorm your fears list them in sequence rating 0 - 100. 0 signifies totally relaxed and 100 as tense as ever eg fear of people,%0D%0Aparent, phobias etc. Also can you identify your behavioural patterns%0D%0Aassociated to any particular incidents. eg Time taken to check locks and%0D%0Awindows - linked to some fear or TV incident, or washing of hands, bath%0D%0Afeeling dirty, vile, associated with an incident or is it a phobia? Even%0D%0Aneed to repeatedly check your work . Have you been subjected to excessive%0D%0Acriticism? When did this begin study this.%0D%0A%0D%0ASuggested programme for coping skills thouroughly before working through the%0D%0Anext step on coping with wudhu. Prepare your mind and body. Practice some%0D%0Abreathing excercises. Take a deep breath in and release slowly, before%0D%0Acommencing. Remember to read Taawuz seking protection in Allah Ta'ala from%0D%0Athe Shaitaan and whispering of Shaitaan. Start all actions taking the name%0D%0Aof Allah Ta'ala. Do some body deep muscle relaxation excercises tense all%0D%0Amajor muscle groups and relax including head and shoulders. Should at any%0D%0Atime any tension be experienced in your activity bolt it out%0D%0A...relax...breathe in start again. Deal with it. No negtaive thoughts, think%0D%0Apositively don't stop don't thimg back follow the next chain link, move%0D%0Aforward. Don't worry, worry won't help. Do the one step, carry on -you can%0D%0Ado it. Don't think about fear, just about what have to do. Don't check%0D%0Aagain. Relax, your'e in control. Take a slow deep breath, Ah, good. When%0D%0Afear comes, just pause, close eyes, take the name of Allah Ta'ala ask Allah%0D%0ATa'ala for help. Focus on present what do you have to do. Don't try to%0D%0Aeliminate it just manage through it, it worked Masha Allah. You did it it%0D%0Agets better each time Insha Allah.%0D%0A%0D%0AProgramme 1 Wudhu read through coping skills.%0D%0Aa) Read Tawawuz seeking protection from Shaitaan.%0D%0Ab) Read Tasmiya. Bismillah.%0D%0Ac) Before wudhu check for tippex, flour, wax, glue or impurities on skin if%0D%0Aapplicable remove.%0D%0Ad) Now remember your body is clean therefore you do not have to scrub. Wash%0D%0Aas per Sunnat method taught by our Beloved Prophet (Sallallahu alayhi%0D%0AWasallam) not more than that, eg 3 times does not mean 4 or 5 but 3, 4 of 5%0D%0Ais incorrect.%0D%0Ae) Important follow through each sequence quickly ensuring not to stop to%0D%0Athink or ponder. Rather read Kalima shahaadat or Masnoon wudhu duas.%0D%0Af) Ensure that you perform wudhu in quick succession that the previous parts%0D%0Awashed do not dry off before completion.%0D%0Ag) Should you have doubts after wudhu whether your wudhu is accepted or you%0D%0Ahave washed all parts or its broken. Ignore this. TAKE NO NOTICE THE WUDHU%0D%0AIS VALID.%0D%0Ah) If you are after completion very ceratin that you missed a ceratin part%0D%0Athen only wash that part your wudhu is accepted.%0D%0Ai) It you are sure about wind then the wudhu is valid unless you heard a%0D%0Asound or smelt a smell of your passing wind.%0D%0A%0D%0AWell done! Masha Allah! You can do it. Try it a few times (Don't) time%0D%0Ayourself). Inform us of your progress. Insha Allah we will follow through%0D%0Athereafter with the other concerns. Your feed back is essential.%0D%0A%0D%0ASalaams and Du'aas.%0D%0A%0D%0A2Social and Welfare%0D%0A