Question:
Assalamualaykum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Respected Ulama e Kiram, a relative of ours has problems of Waswasa regarding Taharah, and Qira’at in Salah, to the extent that he gets so much frustrated that he wants to commit suicide.
Is he considered a Ma’zoor in Shariah and allowed to leave Salah?
An opinion I got from one place was that he is to be considered Ma’zoor only regarding Taharah and Qira’at, whilst he can fulfill the other prerequisites and Arkaan of Salah. Therefore, he should perform Tayammum instead of Wudhu/Ghusl, and remain silent during Salah, and perform all the required actions, as praying like this is better than leaving Salah totally. Is this opinion correct?
Jazakallahu khaira
Wassalam
Answer:
In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
We make Du’a Allah expel such thoughts from your relative’s mind and alleviatehim/her from this predicament he/she is currently facing.
Allah Ta’ala says:
إِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا (94:6)
Translation: “Indeed, with hardship [will be] ease.”
Allah Ta’ala is well aware of the difficulty and frustration your relative experiences. Allah does not burden a soul with more than it can bear. Sometimes, our minds play tricks on us and make us think that this calamity is unbearable. To adequately combat such problems, it is imperative he/she seeks medical treatment for his/herWaswasah.Since he/sheis suffering from a severe thought problem, he/she should consult a psychologist for a proper diagnosis and treatment.Medical treatment has proven to be extremely helpful. There are many people who experience similar problems and get medical treatment.
In the meantime, tell your relative to continue his/her Salah by merely moving his/her lips without making a sound. Whenever any doubt/Waswasah arises, he/she should tell him/herself that his/her Salah, Taharah, Qira’ah and everything else is correct and valid no matter what Shaytani whisperings enter the mind. As a remedy, he/she should tell him/herself that every action of his/hers is valid irrespective of the evil whisperings. This may be difficult for the first few times, but it will become much easier after effort and hard work. He/she should also ask a family member to watch over his/her prayer to confirm that the prayer is valid without a doubt.
We also advise the relative to listen to the following discourse delivered by my honourable teacher, Mufti Ebrahim Desai Hafizahullah, in regards to dealing with Waswasah (whispers):
https://daruliftaa.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Before-Zuhr-23.mp3
https://daruliftaa.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/After-Zuhr-23.mp3
Also read the following book: Combating the Whisperings of Shaitan by Shaykh Yunus Patel (Rahimahullaah) for effective methods on dealing with Waswasah.
