How to overcome religious obsessive thoughts (Waswasa)?

Dear friend, confronting obsessive thoughts in religious matters is an experience many believers might face, and understanding this challenge is the first step towards overcoming it. These obsessions often manifest as baseless doubts, excessive worries about acts of worship, or fear of imperfection and sin, which can rob a person of inner peace and the joy of devotion. The Holy Quran, as the guiding word of God, offers profound and effective solutions to combat these whispers, as such thoughts are generally considered to be from Satan (Shaytan) who aims to deviate humans from the straight path and plunge them into a fog of doubt and anxiety. The first and most fundamental Quranic solution to combat waswasa is seeking refuge in Allah Almighty (Isti'adha). Surah An-Nas beautifully elucidates the mechanism of this refuge, teaching us to seek protection from the 'whispering tempter who withdraws' (al-waswas al-khannas) in the Lord of mankind, the King of mankind, the God of mankind. 'Khannas' refers to one who hides and then returns; meaning Satan renews his whispers whenever we become heedless. Therefore, constant remembrance of Allah (dhikr) and seeking His help acts as a strong barrier against these whispers. When waswasa strikes, one should immediately, without dwelling on its content, seek refuge in Allah by saying 'A'udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim' (I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan). This act is not merely a verbal supplication but a heartfelt approach that shifts a person from focusing on doubt to complete trust in Allah. This seeking of refuge is an acknowledgment of one's weakness against these hidden attacks and a reliance on God's infinite power. The second important Quranic principle is to remember the ease of religion and to avoid imposing unnecessary hardships. Allah states in the Quran: "Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship" (Al-Baqarah/185), and elsewhere: "And He has not laid upon you in religion any hardship" (Al-Hajj/78). Waswasa stands in direct opposition to this principle because it makes religion difficult and life burdensome by creating complex thoughts and compelling repetitions of actions. A person afflicted by waswasa must understand that these thoughts fall outside the framework of the simple and easy religion of Islam. Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity: "Allah does not burden a soul beyond its scope" (Al-Baqarah/286). Therefore, one should adhere to the minimum requirements in religious rulings and avoid delving into excessive details that lead to obsession. If you perform ablution, do not doubt its correctness; if you pray, do not doubt its validity. This disregard for the whispers drives them away. The third solution is to strengthen certainty and faith through the remembrance of Allah (dhikr). The Quran states: "Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured" (Ar-Ra'd/28). The remembrance of Allah, whether through reciting the Quran, supplication, glorifications (tasbihat), or contemplating His greatness, purifies the heart from worries and grants it tranquility and certainty. The stronger a person's connection with Allah becomes, the more the light of certainty shines in their heart, dispelling the darkness of doubt and obsession. Indeed, waswasa thrives in an environment of restlessness and lack of certainty, and dhikr is the best remedy for this restlessness. The fourth point is complete disregard for the whispers and not responding to them. Waswasa is like a tree that grows with watering; if you ignore it and do not water it, it will dry up. From a Quranic perspective, Satans rejoice in a person's preoccupation with trivial matters and whispers. So, whenever a whisper comes to you, recognize it as from Satan and pay no attention to it. For instance, if you doubt your ablution, continue your activity without repeating it. Repeating an act due to obsession is akin to obeying Satan. Remember that Allah is Merciful and Forgiving, and He accepts your actions with pure intention and based on their apparent correctness, not on unnecessary stringencies resulting from obsession. The fifth recommendation is to increase correct religious knowledge. Many obsessions stem from incorrect or incomplete understandings of religion. By studying the Quran, the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH), and the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (AS) from reliable sources, and by consulting knowledgeable and pious scholars, one can achieve a correct and balanced understanding of religion. This knowledge prevents Satan's deception and clarifies the boundary between religious rulings and satanic whispers. A knowledgeable person understands that Islam is a religion of moderation and does not tolerate extremism or negligence. Finally, it is essential to remember that overcoming waswasa is a spiritual jihad (struggle). It may take some time to completely free yourself from it, but with patience, perseverance, reliance on Allah, and adherence to Quranic commands, you will certainly succeed. The inner peace and spiritual tranquility attained after overcoming waswasa are a great reward from Allah. So, with a confident heart and sincere reliance, turn to your Lord and seek His help, for He is the best helper.