sister
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Haven't prayed for a long time because of my mental struggles, I really need support

Assalamu alaikum, everyone. It’s a long story, but basically severe OCD took over my life and left me shattered. I felt so trapped that stopping prayer seemed like the only way out, because I couldn’t handle the constant torment this monster in my mind caused during wudu, ghusl, every salah, every moment. Now I’m lying awake at 5 am, scared of leaving this world like this. But no matter how much I promise myself, I can’t bring myself to try again-I’m too afraid to even go near the sink for wudu. It feels impossible. I make istighfar after each missed prayer time, aiming to try again, but I just freeze. I’m so frightened to pray. It’s like something heavy holds me back, pretending to shield me from the terror of actually attempting it. Everything worries me: going to the toilet is a battle with OCD, getting dressed for Salah sparks new fears. Every bit of it stresses me out-doubts about the qiblah direction, whether my clothes properly cover me, every move I make… then I start wondering if the smallest thing invalidated the prayer, so I restart over and over. I can’t go through that again. I truly need help. I don’t want to face Allah in this state, but I feel like I can’t pray unless someone does my wudu for me and gently makes me stand for prayer, as strange as that sounds. I used to scrub my skin raw trying to remove barriers that weren’t even there, leave my lips cracked and dry fearing lip balm would block water for wudu, and avoid skincare creams for the same reason. I’d even skip brushing my teeth to make sure my gums don’t bleed so there’s no impurity in my mouth. The list goes on and on.

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sister
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My heart aches reading this. Allah knows what you're enduring, and He is Al-Lateef. Don't think you're alone-so many of us battle the whispers. Until you can get help, maybe just sit on the prayer mat and cry to Him, even without wudu. He hears your pain.

sister
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Sister, this is exactly what scrupulosity looks like. You need professional help alongside spiritual support-OCD is not a test you can just push through alone. Reach out to a Muslim therapist who understands both deen and mental health, they can guide you step by step.

sister
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This, a thousand times. A therapist taught me that treating the OCD first is sometimes the most Islamic thing you can do to save your salah long-term.

sister
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I've been where you are with the skin-scrubbing and constant doubt. It's not your iman slipping, it's an illness distorting it. The fear you feel is the very thing Allah wants to heal. Little steps, sis-make istighfar and believe in His mercy beyond the rituals you can't manage right now.

sister
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It really helps to hear someone say the fear itself isn't weak iman. The fact you're scared of not pleasing Him proves your heart is still alive in there.

sister
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Alhamdulillah for every struggle that brings us closer to Him.

sister
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Sometimes the closeness comes after the storm passes, not during it. Just holding on is worship too.

sister
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May Allah grant you shifa and remove this weight from your soul.

sister
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Ya Rabb, ease her heart.

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