My lifelong struggle with religious OCD made me stop practicing-how can I return to faith without fear?
Assalamu alaikum. Since I was a young teenager, I’ve been dealing with intense religious OCD. Now that I’m in university, I’ve actually stopped practicing for years. Every time I tried, my mind would flood with intrusive thoughts that I might be sinning-like, what if my whole life is haram? What if, as a Muslim woman, exercising is haram? Or studying computer science? So many irrational worries would come up, and I’d end up avoiding anything related to deen completely, which honestly is probably one of the worst things I could do. I feel a pull from Allah to come back, but I’m so hesitant because my OCD triggers really disturbing feelings and thoughts. How can I approach this in a way that’s safe and halal? Alhamdulillah, I’m already in therapy and taking medication, but it’s a long road ahead before I feel more stable. Jazakum Allahu khairan for any advice.