What is the difference between self-talk (حديث النفس) and the whisperings of Satan (وساوس الشيطان)? When is a person held accountable for self-talk? Is a person afflicted by obsessive whispers (الموسوس) held accountable for their actions and words resulting from these whispers? Is a person blameworthy for laughing at self-talk?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The person afflicted by whispered temptations () must turn away from them, for they have no cure except by ignoring them and not giving them any importance.
The person afflicted by waswas is not held accountable for the whispers and thoughts that occur to him, as long as he does not resolve to commit the forbidden act.
His laughter at these whispers is an indication of his astonishment at them, his aversion, and his surprise at their occurrence.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/167246
Where this answer came from
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 167246
- 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