Waswasah (Evil Whispering/Stray Thoughts)

(Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi Rahmatullahi Alaih)

[Waswasah: stray thought; evil whisper, usually from Shaitaan the Accursed.]

The Sahaabah experienced such waswasahs that when they mentioned this to Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) they said: “It is easier for us to burn into charcoal then to relate these stray thoughts with the tongue.”

Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) replied: “Do you really get such stray thoughts?! This is clear (proof of) Imaan.”

And he added: “All praises be to Allah Who directed the scheme of Shaitaan to waswasah”, not to A’maal and Aqaaid [Actions and Beliefs].

Sometimes the Ahl-e-Sulook [those following the Path of Sulook/Tasawwuf] are plagued with such waswasahs, that committing suicide appears to be easier for them. Hence, those who are jaahil [ignorant] among them, even go so far as to commit suicide. And those who are acquainted, they exercise Sabr.

The mystery and the reason behind waswasah, is that when the Saalik [the one treading the Path of Tasawwuf] puts his foot in the Path of Allah, then Shaitaan becomes vexed, and he wants to harm him [the Saalik].

Firstly, he tries to make the Saalik leave Namaaz, Roza, the Faraaiz and Waajibaat to harm his Deen. When he sees himself failing in this scheme, he then satisfies himself by inflicting physical harm and worries by whispering evil thoughts into the Saalik’s heart.

The Saalik becomes troubled at it. He grieves and thinks, “Yaa Allah! There is something wrong with my Imaan! How can such thoughts come to my mind?!”

But those thoughts coming to the mind are not at all harmful. Yes, it may be bothersome. And the reason for it being bothersome is due to a misconception, which is that the Saalik takes the waswasah to be emanating from his heart, whereas this is erroneous. It emanates from Shaitaan. Shaitaan blows it into the heart. The heart is merely a thoroughfare for waswasah.

Understanding this mystery and keeping it in mind, now Insha Allah, there won’t be any worry at all. In fact, the roots of waswasah have effectively being cut, because Shaitaan casts waswasah to inflict worry upon him [the Saalik]. When he does not become worried then Shaitaan abandons flinging waswasah.

(To be continued, Insha Allah)