Question: Sometimes I am faced with a temptation and after deliberating, I end up commiting the sin ... but soon after it's like a big burden off my chest and I can go about doing productive work ... my mind is clear and I am thinking 'straight' and so on ... What may explain this?

Answer: This temptation is from Satan and the feelings you get from having committed the sin are also from Satan. Your job is to fight this temptation to the extent that you do not commit the sin. Insha Allah, by doing this you would feel better and the temptations will gradually decrease. As long as you go about committing the sin that you are tempted to do, Satan will continue to create good feelings in your heart. This is a strategy he uses to get you to commit more sins.

However, as soon as you stop giving in to him and stop yourself from sins, you would feel far better than the way you felt before. At this time, Satan will try even harder upon you. He would even make you feel that you are making the wrong choice by not committing the sin. In this state, you should never give in to him, but you must continue to be strong at heart and beg Allah to protect you from Satan and his evil whispers.

Based on the teachings of the Holy Quran, whenever you are tempted by Satan, you should continuously recite 'A'ouzu billahi minash shaitanir rajeem' until the evil whispers go away.


And Allah knows best.
Mufti Waseem Khan