Is one who does something while unaware of its legal ruling sinful, or one who does it with the intention of committing it even if it is unlawful, or one who does it due to a whisper (waswasa) regarding its unlawfulness? And is one who frequently doubts the unlawfulness of matters or the necessity of abandoning them held accountable?
It appears that the questioner is afflicted with waswasah (obsessive whispering). They should disregard it and consult scholars, asking them about what is unclear to them, as Allah Almighty says: "So ask the people of the message if you do not know." (An-Nahl: 43). It is obligatory for anyone who finds a matter unclear to ask scholars about its ruling, and it is impermissible to undertake anything without knowing its religious ruling. Whoever dares to do something they believe to be forbidden is sinful for their audacity, even if it is permissible in reality, and "intention has an effect on punishment." If the matter reaches the point of waswasah such that one doubts the permissibility of everything, then they should cast off these whisperings and ignore them, while still consulting scholars and striving to learn the rulings of the Sharia, for knowledge is the greatest cure for such whisperings.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/127278