Is a person who suffers from waswas (obsessive doubts) sinful?
Blaming a person afflicted with (obsessive whisperings) depends on their condition: If what they do is by their own choice, then they are sinful and held accountable for it. However, if they are overwhelmed by the waswas that causes them to deviate from the state of rational people, then they are not sinful; for the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "The pen has been lifted from three: from the insane person whose mind is overcome; from the sleeper until he awakens; and from the child until he reaches puberty." As for fleeting thoughts and heart whisperings that one repels and does not act upon, they are not held accountable for them; because Allah has overlooked for this Ummah (nation) what they whisper to themselves, and He responded to their supplication: "Our Lord, do not take us to task if we forget or make a mistake, our Lord, and do not place upon us a burden beyond our strength." And He said, "I have done so." The person afflicted with waswas must strive for recovery and struggle against their own self.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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