Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Creed: Its Nature and Methodology of Treatment

The obsessive thoughts that may assault the mind of a believer during the recitation of the Qur'an or worship—especially those related to the Divine Essence or the Prophets—do not represent the reality of the servant's faith nor express their convictions. Rather, they are merely transient Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Among the Prophetic glad tidings in this regard is that the servant's hatred of these thoughts and their struggle against them is evidence of pure faith; indeed, they are rewarded for this patience and striving.

The Nature of the Obsessive Thought

An obsessive thought can be likened to an irrational person whispering falsehoods in your ear; if you attempt to engage them with logic or respond with reason, they will only increase in annoyance and persistence. Obsession seeks to convince you that you suffer from a problem in the core of your faith, but the truth is that ignoring it is the key to its disappearance.

The Methodology of Legal and Psychological Treatment

The remedy lies in not entering into a direct war with the obsession, as these types of thoughts feed on fear and excessive attention. Whenever the thought is completely ignored and the servant focuses on what benefits them in their religion and worldly life, these whispers gradually fade away.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) established a clear constitution for dealing with this condition, directing whoever finds something of that to seek refuge in Allah and immediately cease dwelling on the thought:

«Let him seek refuge in Allah and desist.»

This Prophetic guidance cuts off the path for Satan and protects the Muslim from being lured into a vortex of false doubts, transforming this trial into a means of drawing closer to Allah through seeking refuge and reliance (Tawakkul).