Treating Satan’s Whispers in Prayer

Question:
The Shaykh says: Satan often contends with me in my prayer, whispering to me about certain matters that, if a believer were to utter them, would be a cause for his apostasy from Islam. My heart is broken with grief, and I seek help from Allah against Satan. Is there any sin or blame upon me? Please advise us, may Allah reward you with good?

Answer:
This has happened to some of the Companions. The Companions said: O Messenger of Allah, one of us finds in his heart [whispers] such that he would prefer to fall from the sky. That is a clear sign of faith. It means the person’s fear of Allah and his seriousness about the whispers that may occur. This is part of the perfection of his faith and his mindfulness of Allah, to the point that falling from the sky would be easier for him than uttering it. This is how Satan affects people, especially when he sees good in a person; he may whisper to him, saying, for example, from the direction of Allah, from the direction of Allah’s existence, or from the direction of Paradise, or from the direction of the Fire, or otherwise. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: This is what is prescribed. When a person sees any of this, he should say, “I believe in Allah and His Messenger,” and seek refuge in Allah, and stop, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded, because this is from Satan. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
That he finds a whisper saying there is no Paradise, no Hellfire, no resurrection, no rising, like that. Satan comes to the person, and if he finds these things, let him say, "I believe in Allah and His Messengers. I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan," and let him stop, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded. That does not harm him; this is from Satan. If you say that, you will grieve the enemy of Allah, and your religion and faith will be safe, and praise be to Allah. Yes.