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Fatwa CenterDifference between doubts and satanic whispers regarding Islam
Question
Assalaamu alaykum. I read in one of your fatwas that if a Muslim has any doubts about any aspect of Islam, he should consult scholars to get rid of these doubts. In another fatwa, I read that one who doubts any aspect of Islam is an apostate. Is there any difference between these two types of doubts? If so, then please explain.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
Perhaps you are referring to what is mentioned in some of our fatwas about mere Waswaas (satanic whispers) and about doubts. There is a difference between the two. The satanic whispers are the thoughts that cross the person's mind sometimes without his choice. Probably no one is safe from experiencing them; Satan is ever on the watch, waiting to exploit the weakness of the Muslim and scheme against him. As long as these thoughts are only passing and the person repels them and does not dwell on them and they do not settle in his heart, they cause no harm to him.
Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that a group of Companions said to the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, “Verily, we perceive in our minds that which every one of us considers too grave to speak of.” He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said, “Do you really perceive them as such (i.e. too grave to be expressed)?” They said, “Yes.” Upon this, he, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, remarked “That is the faith manifest.” [Muslim]
For more benefit, please refer to fatwas 174507 and 199253.
As for doubt, it is the opposite of certainty. It is defined as the hesitation between two choices. An example is that of a person who cannot make up his mind and believe with certainty in the truthfulness of the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, or the resurrection after death. Satanic whispers may develop into doubts if they take root in the heart and the person dwells on them, accepts them, and becomes content with them. Accordingly, this leads him to fall into the abyss of disbelief. Allah, The Exalted, says about the disbelievers (what means): {And prevention will be placed between them and what they desire, as was done with their kind before. Indeed, they were in disquieting doubt.} [Quran 34:54]
When a Muslim is confused about any religious matter, he should consult the Muslim scholars so that they would clarify the matter for him and refute any misconceptions that may be raised. He should ask them about any matter he needs pertaining to his religion, be it significant or not. Al-Qurtubi 
wrote, “A lay-Muslim, who does not have adequate knowledge to practice Ijtihaad (reasoning) given his lack of qualification to do so, is obliged to consult the most knowledgeable scholar of his time and place and follow his fatwa; Allah, The Exalted, says (what means): {So, ask the people of the message if you do not know.} [Quran 16:43] He has to strive in looking for the most knowledgeable scholar until he finds the scholar upon whose knowledge most people agree.” [Tafseer Al-Qurtubi]
Allah knows best.
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