(#191)
Question
Salam Mufti
I have a question on matters of faith
I would like to know do doubts in islam make muslim a kafir, if a muslim is not absolutely certain that Islam is the only true religion or is not 100% certain that Quran is a divine book has he/she left the fold of islam?
Please guide me in this very important matter.
Answer
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته
حامدا و مصليا و مسلما
Muhtaram
We have received your query regarding doubts in Islam, we apologise for the belated reply, our response is as follows:
We as humans have two unseen enemies which are the Nafs and Shaytaan. Both are allies and work hand in hand in achieving the destruction of this human species.
Allah Ta’ala clearly mentions in the Noble Quran that Shaytaan is an open enemy unto us, therefore we should also treat him as an enemy.
Therefore, Shaytaan whispers to us in order to prevent and divert us from the worship of Allah Ta’ala.
It is mentioned in the Qur’an:
إنما النجوى من الشيطان ليحزن الذين آمنوا وليس بضارهم شيئا إلا بإذن الله
“Whisperings come from Shaitaan so that he can grieve those who believe while it is not harmful for them in the least, except with Allah’s permission.” (Surah 58: Aayat 10)
حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ يُونُسَ حَدَّثَنَا زُهَيْرٌ حَدَّثَنَا سُهَيْلٌ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ أَبِى هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ جَاءَهُ نَاسٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِهِ فَقَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ نَجِدُ فِى أَنْفُسِنَا الشَّىْءَ نُعْظِمُ أَنْ نَتَكَلَّمَ بِهِ أَوِ الْكَلاَمَ بِهِ مَا نُحِبُّ أَنَّ لَنَا وَأَنَّا تَكَلَّمْنَا بِهِ. قَالَ « أَوَقَدْ وَجَدْتُمُوهُ ». قَالُوا نَعَمْ. قَالَ « ذَاكَ صَرِيحُ الإِيمَانِ.
It is mentioned in a Hadeeth that on one occasion the companions radiyallahu anhum mentioned to Nabi sallallahu alai wa sallam that at times we experience such thoughts whereby we fear mentioning it. Nabi sallallahu alai wa sallamquestioned them that do you actually encounter such thoughts? The Sahaabah radhiyallahu anhum replied in the affirmative. Upon this Nabi sallallahu alai wa sallam apprised them that this is an explicit manifestation of Imaan. Indeed the whisperings of Shaytaan is an indication of Imaan prevalent in the heart, a thief never enters an empty home.[1]
The scholars mention that such thoughts which merely pass the heart and are not verbally expressed is an evident mark of Imaan.[2]
From here we deduce that such whispers should be ignored and no attention should be paid to such whispers. Delving into such whispers and thoughts will result one in earning untold miseries and grievances. In this present era, a great effort is being made in order to instill baseless doubts in the hearts of the believers, all such platforms which are a means of creating doubts should be avoided at all costs.
However, it is also important to note, that one is the whisperings of Shaytan and one is to doubt the core beliefs of Islam. These are two separate issues. Only that Iman is accepted by Allah Ta’ala which is free from any doubt.
Therefore, our advice to you brother is that you ignore any whisperings of Shaytaan and the Nafs and concentrate on fulfilling your duties towards our Creator. Whenever you find yourself entrapped in the whisperings of Shaytaan then immediately recite Ta’awwuz and say firmly that “O Allah Ta’ala in you only do I believe in and all the Ambiya alaihis salaam”
Allah Ta’ala alone controls the hearts and mind, therefore, we should at all times ask Him to remove the whisperings of Shaytaan. Create a strong bond with the Ulama-e-Haq and then ask for a prescription whereby this disease may be eliminated. Together with the above, you should also spend time in the path of Allah Ta’ala, doing so will fortify and strengthen the conviction of Allah Ta’ala in your heart. Once the conviction of Allah Ta’ala in the heart is firm, the whispers of Nafs and Shaytaan will gradually fall away inshallah.
If there is any specific issues that are troubling you then you are welcome to write again to the Darul Ifta and inshallah we will attend to your question.
Allah Ta’ala keep you and all of us on Iman till our final breath! Ameen
And Allah Ta’ala knows best
Answered by:
Muhammad Irshad Motara
21st Rabiul Thaani 1445
2nd January 2024
[1] Mirqaatul Masaabeeh-Taken from Darul Ifta Azaadville Archives
[2] Majma’ul Anhur Taken from Darul Ifta Azaadville Archives
