Is it permissible for one who suffers from intrusive thoughts (waswās) to seek knowledge? Thank you.
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The one afflicted with (obsessive doubts), like others, is in dire need of seeking beneficial knowledge. This knowledge repels the ailment of Waswas by teaching him how to دفعها (repel it) through turning away from it and not paying attention to it. Waswas is not an excuse to abandon learning. He must act upon the dictates of knowledge so as not to put himself in great difficulty.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/134712
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 134712
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy