Answered by Imam Yama Niazi
Question Summary:
Will Allah guide me after being astray, and will I gain my faith back?
Answer:
Assalam Alaykum
Dear questioner,
May Allah bless you and increase you in good.
Allah is our guide
The very concern for your state is a good sign. When Allah wants good for a servant, He inspires them to repent. Our true guide is Allah. No one other than Him can guide us. He is the one who also makes our hearts increase in faith.
Allah says in the Quran, “Know that God comes between a man and his heart and that you will be gathered to Him.” [Quran 8:24]
As-Suddi said that it means that Allah “Prevents oneself from his own heart, so he will neither believe nor disbelieve except by His leave.”
Therefore, understand that everything is from Allah, so ask Him for guidance.
Recommended supplications
The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) used to supplicate often with the following dua:
“O Turner of the hearts, make my heart firm in Your deen!” [Tirmidhi]
He would also pray,
“O, Allah! Endear faith to us and beautify it in our hearts, and make unbelief, immorality, and disobedience odious to us, and make us of the rightly guided.”
True happiness and tranquility
Remember the words of the Almighty in His book,
“Indeed, in the remembrance of God do hearts find tranquility.”
[Quran, 13:28]
Strive to have a litany daily and adhere to it without fail. That will bring you great spiritual support from Allah, Most High. Your heart needs its portion of spiritual provision regularly and needs rest from worldliness and sin.
Conclusion:
You are on the right path to turn back to Allah. Set a routine and keep good company. Remind yourself often of the hereafter and be consistent in learning your religion and start with delving deeper into knowledge and be regular on your prayers.
Your setbacks and feelings are from shaytan to discourage you from doing good deeds but do not listen. Rather disobey. As Imam Busiri says in his famous poem, ‘The Burda,’ “Oppose the self and shaytan-and defy them, if they try to offer you advice, treat it with suspicion.”
May Allah bless you and grant you success.
Further recommended reading and advice:
[Imam] Yama Niazi
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani