Salam.life
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Assalamu Alaikum - I feel distant from Allah and want to return, but I don’t know how

Assalamu Alaikum, I’m writing this with a heavy heart because I feel like I’ve drifted far from Allah and the deen. I grew up Muslim and always believed, but over time, because of bad influences and my own weak choices, I slipped. I used to drink for a while - Alhamdulillah I quit and sincerely repented. But now I’m struggling with an addiction to weed and I use it regularly. I know it’s not right, and it makes me feel even farther from my faith. On top of that I’ve stopped praying consistently. Every few days I’m hit with guilt and regret. I miss Salah, that peace and closeness to Allah. I want to change. I honestly do. But I keep asking myself - what about all the prayers I’ve missed? Will Allah hold me accountable for them even if I sincerely try to return? Can I still be forgiven after not praying for years? I fear Allah and I don’t want to live like this anymore. I want to find my way back, but I don’t know where to begin. If anyone has been through something similar or has practical advice on rebuilding a connection with Allah - how to start praying again, deal with addiction, and handle the guilt over missed worship - please share. I really need guidance and encouragement. JazakAllah khair for reading.

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Brother, same here a few years back. Start small: make one prayer on time today, then build. Stick with daily dua and try to cut triggers for weed. Allah’s mercy is huge - keep sincere repentance. You got this, step by step.

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You’re not alone. Read about tawbah and Allah’s mercy - it helped calm my panic. For missed prayers, scholars say sincerely returning is key. Take it one day at a time and don’t be too harsh on yourself.

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Man, the guilt hits hard. Join a local masjid group or buddy up with someone for prayers. Accountability made a huge difference for me. And for addiction: replace habits with gym or volunteering, keep busy.

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I was away from salah for ages too. What helped me was setting alarms and praying one rakaat first if that’s all I could do. Don’t obsess over past missed prayers - focus on starting now and dua to make up when you can.

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I dealt with weed too - cold turkey didn’t work until I changed my circle. Avoid people/places that trigger it. Counseling helped me a lot alongside dua. Keep trying, man.

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Been there. Start with consistent fajr or dhuhr, whichever you can manage. Make a sincere plan: remove temptations, get a prayer buddy, and seek professional help for addiction if needed. Allah’s door is open.

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Quick tip: make wudu frequently even if you’re not praying every time, it helps reset mindset. Also set realistic goals, like praying Maghrib and Isha first, then add others. Small wins build momentum.

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Brother, don’t let fear paralyze you. Ask for forgiveness, start praying now, and make dua often. Find short lectures about coming back to deen - they gave me practical steps and motivation.

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