Treating Whisperings (Waswasa) about the Faith

Question

It has been nearly three months since a doubt entered my heart and mind. These thoughts trouble me constantly: was the Prophet ﷺ [really] a prophet or not? Is the noble Qur’an [really] a heavenly Book or not? Is Islam [really] a true religion or not? Because of these thoughts I remain in great distress, and my heart is not drawn to any task. I keep trying every way to resolve this matter, but this thought simply will not leave my heart and mind.

Answer

At night, after ‘Isha, perform a fresh ghusl and pray two rak‘ahs of supererogatory (nafl) prayer with the intention of repentance (tawba). Recite salawat 500 times, then recite 500 times: [ar]أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ رَبِّي مِنْ كُلِّ ذَنْبٍ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ[/ar] “I seek the forgiveness of Allah, my Lord, from every sin, and I turn to Him in repentance” — then supplicate before…

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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