What do I do if I feel that I have become a disbeliever?

What do I do if I feel that I have become a disbeliever?

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate

Disbelief is to reject a tenet of the faith that we were commanded to believe in or to reject a matter clearly known to be of the religion.

See this link for more specifics.

The fact that you are concerned about your faith and are asking regarding Allah is a sign that Allah Most High intends for you good.

Allah Most High says, “When My servants ask you ˹O Prophet˺ about Me: I am truly near. I respond to one’s prayer when they call upon Me. So let them respond ˹with obedience˺ to Me and believe in Me, perhaps they will be guided ˹to the Right Way˺ [Qur’an; 02:186].

With regard to you thinking that you have left Islam, it is essential that you know, that you are not your thoughts. Thoughts of this sort are introduced to the heart externally. Regarding bad thoughts it is very likely that they are from the whispers of Shaytan.

Imam Muslim (may Allah have mercy on him) mentions under the chapter heading ‘Clarifying misgivings (waswasa) in faith and what one should say if they encounter them’  in the following narrations:

Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “Some of the companions of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and give him peace) came and asked him, ‘We encounter in our selves that which one of us would deem to grave to speak of.’ He said, “Do you indeed encounter that?” They said, “Yes.” He said, “That is clear faith.”

In other narrations, the Prophet (may Allah bless him and give him peace) was asked about misgivings (i.e. in faith) and He said, “The is pure faith” [Muslim].

Scholars have understood the above narrations in two main ways.

(1) Shaytan whispers doubts into the hearts of those who he has no hope of deceiving. And it is due to his inability to deceive that he resorts to disturbing one through misgivings. As for the disbeliever he comes to him as he wishes and not only whispers but toys with them as he wishes. Therefore the reason for the misgivings is pure faith or is a sign of pure faith. The opinion was supported by Qadi ‘Iyad [al-Nawawi, Sharh Muslim].

(2) Others have understood from this narration that the reluctance that the companions had to tell the Prophet (may Allah bless him and give him peace) and the dislike they had for such thoughts are signs of pure faith.

With that being said, you should not worry about yourself nor become anxious about these thoughts. You are not to blame. These thoughts do not affect your Islam. Rather you should apply the following steps.

(1) Take a basic course in Islamic beliefs. Knowledge of the beliefs of Islam is protection from such doubts and a means of strengthening one’s certainty.

(2) Be careful not to read the books of philosophical discussions or watch them. One should first have a strong foundation in the fundamental beliefs of Islam before delving into matters of theology or philosophy.

(3) Strive to recite abundantly ‘La ilaha illa Allah.’ The Messenger (may Allah bless him and give him peace) advised the companions, ‘Renew your faith!’ It was replied, ‘O Messenger of Allah! How do we renew our faith?’ He said, “Say, abundantly, La ilaha illa Allah’ [Ahmad].

Also, see: Obsessive thoughts about disbelief
https://seekersguidance.org/answers/general-counsel/obsessive-thoughts-about-disbelief/I struggle with thoughts of disbelief and suicide
https://seekersguidance.org/answers/islamic-belief/struggle-thoughts-disbelief-suicide/

Hope this helps.

And Allah knows best

[Shaykh]Yusuf Weltch

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani