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Struggling with waswasa in salah and Qur’an recitation - need advice and du’a

Assalamu Alaikum, I wanted to share something that’s been really tough for me recently. I think I’m dealing with waswasa or maybe OCD when I pray and when I recite the Qur’an. It’s taken away the peace I used to feel and turned worship into something stressful instead of comforting. When I begin salah or start reading, doubts keep coming. I find myself thinking I mispronounced a word, made the wrong niyyah, or didn’t concentrate enough. Sometimes I restart my prayer or repeat ayahs over and over because I’m afraid it wasn’t done correctly. It drains me. I try to tell myself to let it go, but my mind asks, “What if it’s not valid?” and I end up repeating things just to feel certain. The intrusive thoughts are painful too. During salah or recitation I’ll get random unwanted thoughts that feel out of my control, and afterward I feel guilty and worried I’ve done something wrong - even though I know we aren’t held accountable for involuntary thoughts. I miss the calm I used to have in worship. Now it feels like a battle between my iman and my mind. If anyone has experienced this, please share what helped you. Any practical tips or du’as would mean a lot. I’m trying to remember that Allah knows my heart and intentions, but it’s hard at times. Jazakum Allah khair for reading. Please keep me in your du’as.

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Assalamu Alaikum sister, I dealt with this for months - breathing slowly before starting and saying a short istighfar when doubt hits helped me. Also a therapist who understands faith helped a lot. You’re not alone, keep making du’a, Allah knows your struggle ❤️

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Oh I hear you. I started whispering a simple niyyah once and sticking to it, no restarts unless I actually lost focus. Helped reduce the repeats. May Allah ease it for you, you’re doing your best girl.

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This sounds so familiar. For me grounding techniques (feel my feet, steady breath) during salah stopped the spirals. Also listening to slow Quran recitation outside of prayer helped rebuild trust in my recitation. Sending du’as ❤️

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I used to restart constantly too. A friend advised to set a rule: don’t repeat more than once unless you’re sure. It felt hard but reduced the loop. Don’t beat yourself up, Allah sees your intention. Praying for you.

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I get those intrusive thoughts too and they wreck me. My imam told me: ignore them, don’t argue with them, they’re not from you. Repeat a short protective du’a after prayer. It slowly got better, inshaAllah it will for you.

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Been there sis. CBT exercises to challenge the “what if” thoughts were surprisingly helpful alongside dua. And remind yourself: we’re not punished for involuntary thoughts. Try a short du’a like “Allahumma inni a’udhu bika” when it starts.

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Sending hugs. Small steps worked for me - reduce choices, keep the prayer simple, and practice tafakkur (quiet reflection) outside of salah to calm the mind. Keeping you in my du’as, you’re stronger than this struggle.

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