Do You Get Distressed
Because of Doubts?

Ḥaḍrat ʿAbdullāh ibn Masʿūd (ra) narrates that a man asked the Prophet ﷺ about doubts — specifically doubts of kufr (disbelief) and shirk (associating partners with Allah) — that come to a person’s mind. The Prophet ﷺ replied:

Another Companion (ra) said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, sometimes such thoughts enter our hearts that we would rather be turned into coal than speak of them.’ The Prophet ﷺ gave the same reply: They are a sign of faith.

The Prophet ﷺ said,

He ﷺ also said,

THE TWO TYPES OF DOUBTS

Doubts Related to Belief (ʿAqīdah)

These include doubts about the existence of Allah, the Hereafter, and fundamental creedal matters. The Prophet ﷺ explained that as long as inward belief, speech, and outward actions remain sound, such involuntary doubts do not harm a believer.
One does not become a kāfir due to intrusive thoughts, nor will they be questioned about involuntary doubts.

Thoughts and Temptations Toward Sin

Temptation to sin does not incur punishment unless acted upon. Allah penalises only deliberate action. The remedy for these temptations is to turn to Allah and supplicate:

“O Allah, sinful thoughts have come to my mind; protect me from them.”

The Third Type: Neutral or Random Thoughts (Mubāḥ)

These are thoughts about permissible matters that distract one in prayer, such as family, work, business, and so forth. Such thoughts are forgiven because they come involuntarily. 
A worshipper should strive to intentionally focus at each stage of ṣalāh; when the mind drifts unintentionally, one is not accountable. Consistent refocusing leads, by Allah’s grace, to khushūʿ.

Do Not Undervalue Your Prayer

Some people feel anxious because of wandering thoughts during ṣalāh, imagining their prayer is empty. But the ability to pray at all is a great blessing from Allah. One must not think their ṣalāh is worthless due to involuntary thoughts. Only deliberately introduced thoughts are blameworthy.

Permissible Thoughts During Ṣalāh

Reflecting on the verses of the Qurʾan is not only permissible but recommended. Any thought that is part of worship is allowed deliberately. Worldly thoughts, however, should not be brought intentionally

This Prostration Is Only for Allah

A man once told Ḥaḍrat Dr.ʿAbd al-Ḥayy that his prostration felt impure because of intrusive thoughts. Ḥaḍrat replied, ‘If your prostration is impure, then do it to me.’
The man was shocked and said, ‘How could I prostrate to you?!’ Ḥaḍrat answered, ‘Then you know your prostration is only for Allah. No matter how many involuntary thoughts occur, you cannot prostrate to anyone else. This proves your prostration is pure.’

Wisdom in Experiencing Doubts

If one never faced distraction and always prayed with perfect khushūʿ and khudūʿ (humility and concentration) one might develop takabbur (arrogance). Allah knows best what spiritual state suits each person.

Good Thoughts vs. Sinful Thoughts

Islam distinguishes between involuntary thoughts and intentional thoughts:
1. Involuntary sinful thoughts: they are forgiven and resisting them earns reward.
2. Intentional sinful planning: they incur a sin.
3. Good thoughts: they are rewarded even before full intention forms.

The Prophet ﷺ said,

This is Allah’s mercy: good is rewarded early, while sin is not counted until fully intended.

Having Thoughts Is Not a Sin;
Bringing Them Is a Sin

A man complained to Ḥaḍrat Thānawī about wandering thoughts in prayer. He replied, ‘Having extraneous thoughts is not a sin; bringing them deliberately is a sin.’

The Cure for Intrusive Thoughts

The cure is to ignore them. They fade with time. Focus on the meanings and words of ṣalāh.
Ṣalāh is obligatory as obedience, not for pleasure. If pleasure is granted, it is a blessing; if not, reward remains intact.

Praying Without Pleasure

If someone forces themselves to pray despite feeling no enjoyment, their reward may be greater, since:
1. They exert more effort.
2. Their ikhlāṣ (sincerity) is stronger - they pray solely for Allah, not for personal spiritual pleasure.

Feeling Happy About Such Doubts

Since the Prophet ﷺ called these doubts a sign of īmān, a believer should not be distressed by involuntary thoughts.

Involuntary vs. Intentional Thoughts

If someone forces themselves to pray despite feeling no enjoyment, their reward may be greater, since:
1. Waswasah – which are involuntary. They are excused.
2. Deliberate sinful thoughts – one is held accountable for these.

Redirecting the Mind

Intrusive thoughts do not disappear through resistance but through redirection. The Prophet ﷺ taught the following supplication to combat intrusive thoughts:

May Allah accept this supplication from us all.
Āmīn.