Intrusive thoughts may relate either to love, as when something that has happened comes to mind, or to seeking something, as when a person thinks of what he wants to do. Some intrusive thoughts concern disbelief and hypocrisy, causing the believer’s heart intense distress. Thus, the Companions said:
“O Messenger of Allah, one of us finds within himself thoughts that he would rather fall from the sky than utter.” He asked, “Have you experienced this?” They replied, “Yes.” He said, “That is pure faith.”
In another wording:
“One of us finds within himself thoughts that he considers too terrible to utter.” He said, “Praise be to Allah, who has reduced his scheming to mere whispering.”
Many scholars have said: Disliking and hating these thoughts, and the heart’s recoiling from them, constitute pure faith. Praise be to Allah that Satan’s scheming has amounted to no more than whispering. For a devil among the jinn whispers when he gains the upper hand, while a devil among mankind lies when he gains the upper hand.
Intrusive thoughts inevitably assail everyone who turns to Allah Most High through remembrance or other acts of worship. The servant should therefore remain steadfast and patient, persist in his remembrance and prayer, and not become exasperated. By persisting, he will drive Satan’s scheming away from himself:
“Indeed, Satan’s scheming is ever weak.”
Whenever the servant seeks to turn his heart toward Allah Most High, further intrusive thoughts arise. Satan is like a highway robber: whenever the servant seeks to journey toward Allah Most High, he tries to block his way. For this reason, one of the early generations was told: “The Jews and Christians say, ‘We do not