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Is Intentional Arousal Towards Allah Shirk? | OCD & Waswasa in Islam

Question:

Is having intentional arousal towards Allah like his names, dhikr(allahu Akbar, etc), bismillah shirk? I have severe ocd and no matter what I do and how hard I try I keep having arousal triggered by my ocd. I try and try and I’m always where I started. I repent and repent and try again but nothing changes. My head hurts from the ocd and I’m pushed to my limits where I end intentionally feel arousal towards anything that has to do with Allah.
So, I’m asking is me having arousal towards Allah intentionally shirk?
I’m not asking if my ocd causing unintentional arousal is shirk but instead if it is INTENTIONAL is it shirk?

– Questioner: Bint e Hawwa (form Ohio, USA)

Answer:

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah

Islamic Teachings on Inappropriate Thoughts about Allah

In summary, it should be understood that:

If such thoughts come due to OCD, then they are beyond your control. Therefore, they are neither sin nor disbelief. The Prophet ﷺ gave comfort to those who felt distressed by such thoughts, clarifying that there is no accountability unless a person deliberately entertains and accepts them. Instead of focusing on Allah’s essence, one should reflect upon His attributes. However, if someone consciously and intentionally brings such thoughts, reflects upon them, and accepts them even for a moment, then this is a grave sin, and if believed in, it could lead to loss of faith. But your case is different, as the Shariah has allowed great ease and concessions in such matters. For details, read the full explanation.

Full Answer:

The thoughts that come to your mind are in reality waswasah (whispers/obsessions caused by OCD). They come without your choice or intention. You dislike them, consider them wrong, and seek forgiveness for them. In this case, such thoughts are neither sin nor disbelief.

The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Allah has forgiven my ummah for the thoughts that occur in their hearts, as long as they do not act upon them or speak about them.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 5269, Sahih Muslim 127)

In fact, feeling disturbed and rejecting such thoughts is itself a sign of faith.

Another hadith states:
The companions said: “O Messenger of Allah, some of us find thoughts within ourselves that are too grave to even speak of.” He ﷺ asked: “Do you really experience this?” They replied: “Yes.” He ﷺ said: “That is clear faith.” (Sahih Muslim 132)

Why do such thoughts occur?

Sometimes a person begins to think about Allah’s essence, assuming that it is good contemplation, but in reality Shaytan uses this as a hidden door to push doubts, inappropriate images, and false beliefs. The command in Islam is not to reflect on Allah’s essence, but rather on His attributes and the creation around us.

Teachings about Reflecting on Allah’s Essence:

Islam prohibits reflecting on Allah’s essence because human intellect cannot grasp His reality. Allah is entirely different from His creation. He has no body. Nothing is like Him.

Allah says:

“There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing.” (Surah ash-Shura 42:11)

“They cannot encompass Him in knowledge.” (Surah Ta-Ha 20:110)

For this reason, Allah introduced Himself through His attributes: Ar-Rahman (The Most Merciful), Ar-Raheem (The Especially Merciful), Al-Qaadir (All-Powerful), Al-‘Aleem (All-Knowing), Al-Hakeem (All-Wise), etc.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Reflect upon the creation of Allah, but do not reflect upon Allah Himself.” (al-Tabarani, al-Mu‘jam al-Awsat 8672)

Thus, instead of dwelling on Allah’s essence, one should reflect on His attributes, His power, His creation, and His blessings.

Deliberately Entertaining Such Thoughts:

If a person knowingly and with acceptance entertains inappropriate thoughts about Allah, or says something disrespectful, or believes it in their heart, or doubts Allah’s existence or attributes — then this is disbelief (kufr). Such a person’s good deeds are nullified, their marriage contract ends, and if they die in that state without repentance and renewed faith, they will remain in Hell forever.

However, your case is different. You reject these thoughts, dislike them, and feel pain due to them. In OCD, recurring thoughts may feel intentional, but in reality, this is part of the illness. Therefore, you are not sinful. The only caution is: do not reflect upon these thoughts after they occur. Simply ignore them and focus on treatment.

How to Deal with Waswasah (Intrusive Thoughts):

Purity: Remain clean, especially after using the restroom. Avoid unnecessary delay in obligatory ghusl. Shaytan targets those who remain in impurity.
Wudu: Stay in a state of wudu as much as possible; it protects against Shaytan’s whispers.
Seek refuge: Whenever a waswasah comes, say: A‘oodhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajim and ignore the thought.
Recite protection verses: In the morning and evening, recite Surah al-Falaq, Surah an-Naas, and Ayat al-Kursi, and blow over yourself.
Keep busy: Do not remain idle. Engage yourself in good and permissible activities. If you don’t, your mind will be occupied by Shaytan.
Medical treatment: If waswasah becomes severe, seek medical help. The Prophet ﷺ encouraged seeking treatment for illnesses.

Conclusion:

Uncontrollable or OCD-triggered thoughts about Allah are not shirk, sin, or disbelief. You are not accountable for them, so long as you do not accept them in your heart or act upon them. Feeling distressed by them is actually a sign of faith. Focus instead on Allah’s attributes, ignore the whispers, and seek both spiritual and medical treatment.

Wallahu A‘lam (Allah knows best).

Written by: Maulana Muhammad Asad Ansari

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