The impact of obsessive-compulsive disorder on worship: Challenges and solutions from an Islamic perspective.

 

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a mental disorder in which the affected person experiences repetitive, compulsive thoughts that drive them to repetitive actions or rituals. When this disorder affects the religious aspect, it becomes a significant barrier to performing acts of worship correctly and calmly, as the believer finds themselves in a struggle between their desire to complete the worship in the best possible way and their fear of making mistakes or falling short.

Negative effects of obsessive-compulsive disorder on worship:

Excessive doubt about intention and purity: The afflicted individual constantly doubts the validity of their intention or purity, prompting them to repeatedly perform ablution or prayer.

Unjustified prolongation of worship: Obsession causes an excessive lengthening of worship time, such as repeatedly reciting Al-Fatiha to ensure its correct pronunciation, which burdens the soul and distracts it from humility. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "The extremists are doomed" (Narrated by Muslim), meaning those who exaggerate matters until they make things difficult for themselves.

Continuous thinking about perfection: The afflicted person strives to perform every act of worship perfectly, but they overlook that Islam is a religion of ease and that perfection belongs only to Allah. This thinking leads to anxiety and frustration. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Religion is ease, and if one makes religion difficult for themselves, they will be overwhelmed. So be moderate and give good tidings" (Narrated by Al-Bukhari).

Fear of committing prohibitions: The afflicted person fears committing prohibitions even if it is by mistake, which causes them great anxiety.

Feeling of guilt: The afflicted individual feels guilty and sinful even if they perform acts of worship sincerely and wholeheartedly, due to the obsessive thoughts that haunt them.

Difficulty concentrating during worship: The afflicted person finds it difficult to concentrate during worship because of the repetitive and disturbing thoughts that occupy their mind.

Feeling of psychological exhaustion: Obsessive-compulsive disorder leads to severe psychological exhaustion, which affects the individual's performance in all aspects of their life.

Individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder face many challenges, including:

Difficulty in getting rid of obsessive thoughts: It is hard for the individual to eliminate obsessive thoughts at will, as they appear involuntarily.

Fear of others' judgment: The individual fears being judged by others as being insincere or hypocritical due to their behavior.

Social isolation: The individual may avoid social interactions out of fear that their disorder will become apparent.

Impact of obsessions on family relationships: Obsessions can affect family relationships, potentially causing problems between spouses or between parents and children.

Solutions from an Islamic Perspective:

Awareness of the concept of moderation and facilitation in religion: A Muslim must understand that Islam is a religion of ease and not hardship, and that Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity.

Following the Sunnah in confronting whispers: The Prophet (peace be upon him) guided us to ignore whispers and not pay attention to them, as in his saying about doubt in ablution: "If one of you feels something in his stomach and is unsure whether he has passed something or not, he should not leave the mosque until he hears a sound or perceives a smell" (reported by Muslim). Allah says: "And We did not place upon you in the religion any difficulty" (Surah Al-Hajj: 78).

Trusting in Allah: The afflicted must put their trust in Allah and have faith in His mercy, and strive diligently to rid themselves of the whispers.

Commitment to worship: Adhering to the performance of acts of worship at their designated times helps strengthen a person against their enemy, which is the accursed devil that causes whispers.

Seeking legitimate knowledge: Pursuing correct religious knowledge and understanding gives a person greater flexibility in dealing with whispers knowledgeably so that the devil does not exploit their ignorance to easily convince them with his whispers.

Supplication and seeking forgiveness: The afflicted should increase their supplications and seek forgiveness, asking Allah for pardon and healing.

Legitimate Ruqyah: In cases where the afflicted person is suffering from possession or spiritual ailments, legitimate Ruqyah is an effective and definitive remedy for this condition, and a person can perform Ruqyah on themselves and adhere to it until they are healed.

Seeking psychological help: The afflicted may need to consult a believing psychological specialist who can help them overcome this condition, along with using appropriate treatments.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a trial that requires patience and effort, but with faith, adherence to the prophetic tradition, and seeking help when needed, it can be overcome. Islam encourages balance and tranquility in worship, as Allah Almighty said in His Book (Ta-Ha ۝ We did not send down the Qur'an to you to cause you distress). Therefore, it is very important to work on permanently addressing the obsession, because as the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said, "For every disease, there is a cure," so that you can enjoy your worship and your journey towards Allah.