Is a person held accountable for the intrusive thoughts that occur to him and cause him distress? What is obsessive-compulsive disorder, and what is the treatment for it?
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The questioner : O esteemed Shaykh (may Allah preserve you), is a person held accountable for the intrusive thoughts that occur to him and cause him distress? What is obsessive-compulsive disorder? And what is the treatment for it?
The Shaykh : A person is not held accountable for the whispers in his chest; rather, the whispers in the chest indicate the perfection of faith and that the faith is pure. This is because Shaytan was unable to deter this man from the religion of Allah through negligence or laxity, so he resorted to whispering, which indicates that the heart is filled [with faith] and that Shaytan wants to destroy it. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded two things when these whispers occur. The first is seeking refuge in Allah from them; one should seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Shaytan, because this is from the whispers of Shaytan.
The second is turning away from them, ceasing to engage with them, and not repeating them in one's mind. If one does this, they will be removed from him. A person should strive with utmost effort to distract himself completely and not pay attention to them, because they do not harm him; rather, as I said, they are a clear sign of faith, based on the authentic hadith regarding this. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you. The questioner, 'A'idhah 'Umar, says in this question.
The Shaykh : A person is not held accountable for the whispers in his chest; rather, the whispers in the chest indicate the perfection of faith and that the faith is pure. This is because Shaytan was unable to deter this man from the religion of Allah through negligence or laxity, so he resorted to whispering, which indicates that the heart is filled [with faith] and that Shaytan wants to destroy it. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded two things when these whispers occur. The first is seeking refuge in Allah from them; one should seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Shaytan, because this is from the whispers of Shaytan.
The second is turning away from them, ceasing to engage with them, and not repeating them in one's mind. If one does this, they will be removed from him. A person should strive with utmost effort to distract himself completely and not pay attention to them, because they do not harm him; rather, as I said, they are a clear sign of faith, based on the authentic hadith regarding this. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you. The questioner, 'A'idhah 'Umar, says in this question.