How to Repel Satanic Whispers?
QAssalamualaikum, I am 22 years old and suffering from waswasa since many years. These waswasa lead me to commit a grave sin and I could not control them knowing that it is a big sin and I won't be forgiven. I am losing my faith because of these waswasa. I prayed but still couldn't control over them. I say these are not waswasa but as if I am disobeying Allah. I pray regularly for a couple of weeks then again I become the same. I find all the doors closed for me to return back to my faith. I am suffering from problems right now and I think it is only because of my waswasa. Please help me to overcome all these. I want to be a better Muslim. I don't want to be a disbeliever. Please reply asap.
Short Answer:
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Salam Dear Sister,
Thank you for your question and for contacting Ask About Islam.
Let me thank you for many things; first, for your concern about the level of your faith; second, for being sad for the sin you have committed, third, for sending us this question seeking our help and advice.
All these are signs of your good conscience.
It is good that you know what you are going through are just Satanic whispers and this is his business all day; i.e. to lead you astray.
On these whispers, we read in the Quran what means:
{Say, “I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind, The Sovereign of mankind. The God of mankind, From the evil of the retreating whisperer -Who whispers [evil] into the breasts of mankind -From among the jinn and mankind.}* (An-Nas 114-1-6)
Some of the Companions came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and said to him,
‘We find in ourselves thoughts that are too terrible to speak of.’
He said, ‘Are you really suffering from that?’
They said, ‘Yes.’
He said, ‘That is a clear sign of faith.’” (Muslim)
A man came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and said,
“I think thoughts to myself, which I would rather be burnt to a cinder than speak of them.” The Prophet said, “Praise be to Allah, Who has reduced all his [Satan’s] plots to mere whispers.” (Abu Dawud)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said,
“Satan runs through the blood veins of son of Adam, but when he remembers Allah, Satan retreats!”
It is also reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“Satan comes to one of you and says, ‘Who created such and such? Who created such and such?’ Until he says, ‘Who created your Lord?!’ If that happens to any of you, let him seek refuge with Allah and put a stop to these thoughts.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Therefore, you should not worry about the consequences of the bad thoughts you have as they are a sign of your firm belief.
As for the sin, you have committed, I am wondering why you think that you will not be forgiven. God promised us in the Quran saying:
{Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allah has certainly fabricated a tremendous sin.} (An-Nisaa’ 4:48)
Therefore, do not worry about the sin you have committed as long as you offer a sincere repentance to Allah seeking His Forgiveness.
Be sure that Allah is always there to answer your duaa and the door of repentance will not be slammed in your face.
Always remember that when a door closes a window opens.
Never give up. Never lose hope. Put your trust in Allah.
As for your faith, I cannot tell more than what the Prophet (peace be upon him) told us all in the above hadith: ‘That is a clear sign of faith.’
Satan lost hope in leading you astray. So, he started to throw bad thoughts in your mind. This is not my personal view.
This is what we are told in the Quran:
{He (Satan) said, “Now, because You have sent me astray, I shall lurk in ambush for them on Your straight path. Then I shall come upon them from before them and from behind them and from their right and from their left, and You shall not find most of them thankful (for Your mercies)} (Al-A`raf 7:16-17)
Now comes the question of how to repel such bad thoughts and whispers.
The first weapon that you can use to protect yourself from Satanic whispers is to make Dhikr (remembrance of Allah).
Allah says in the Quran:
{Who have believed and whose hearts have rest in the remembrance of Allah. Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest!} (Ar-Ra`d 13:28)
{Those who fear (Allah), when a passing notion from the Devil troubles them, they remember, and they (immediately) see (clearly between right and wrong).} (Al-A`raf 7:201)
Read the Quran when you get bad thoughts and seek refuge in Allah.
Be sure that nothing can happen to you without the knowledge of Allah and without His permission.
Satan has only power over those with weak faith.
Allah says in the Quran what means:
{When you recite the Quran, seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Devil. He has no power over those who believe and put their trust in their Lord. His Power is only over those who make an ally of him and those whom he causes to associate (other deities with Allah).} (An-Nahl 16:98-100)
You can also read these verses:
{O Lord, I seek refuge in You from whisperings of the devils, and I seek refuge in You from them being present around me.} (Al-Mu’minun 23:97-98)
You can also make a lot of duaa’(supplications) to Allah to help you overcome these Satanic whispers. You can say these supplications:
1-`A`dhu billahi mina ash-shaytani ar-rajeem (I seek refuge in Allah from the Satan, the accursed)”.
2- Bismillaahi alladhi laa yadurr ma`ismihi shay’un fi al-ardi walaa fi as-samaa’i wa huwa as-sami`u al-`alim. (In the name of Allah; with His name, nothing whatsoever on earth or heaven can inflict any harm; He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.)
3. Rabbi a`udhu bika min hamazati ash-shayatini wa a`udhu bika rabbi an yahdhurun. (My Lord, I seek refuge in You from the whisperings of the devils and I seek refuge in You, my Lord, from their presence with me).
We ask Allah the Almighty to help you pass this trial successfully with a strong level of faith in His wisdom and power.
I hope this answers your question.
Salam and please keep in touch.