Scrupulosity, OCD, Waswasa Al Qahri In Islam
We are only accountable for our actions that we undertake using our free will. If someone does something because of a disorder there’s no sin for it. Similarly, if a medical treatment requires someone to overcome their fear of divorce by writing it down or uttering the words, it has no bearing on the validity of their marriage.
Salam Alaikum, I currently find myself in this state of mind too. I keep having intrusive thoughts about fiqhi opinions where some scholars have ranges of extremely prohibitive (major sin) to lenient (mubah) opinions (matters like mortgage, keeping a dog, beard ruling, fine arts, music, masturbation, non Islamic themes in entertainment etc). Personally I think one should follow what makes the most sense to him/her. However the intrusive thoughts which really bother me are that “what if all the extremely prohibitive options turn out to be correct on the day of resurrection and I will be punished”. Usually there are specific events that trigger this intrusive thought. For example if we take the issue of masturbation, I’m fully aware that scholars (including Ghamidi Sahib) such as Ahmed ibn Hanbal, Ibn Al Hazm and Al Shawkani said that there is nothing wrong with it as the nature of the act is just to relieve one’s self of sexual urges in a similar manner to excreting any other bodily substance such as Silva, mucus, urine or bad blood etc. However a few days ago I saw a video of a scholar (won’t take name) who said it is a major sin and quoted the ayah of Surah Al muminun about guarding private parts except for spouse and right hand possession. Furthermore he also quoted the bukhari Hadith where the prophet recommended fasting for people unable to get married. Using these 2 pieces of evidence his full intention was to refute anyone who held the mubah/makrooh opinion on the matter. Furthermore I think he also said it was harmful for physical and mental health to backup his argument. Now I’m having extremely intrusive thoughts about how something so harmless be considered a major sin. I think I’ve seen Ghamidi Sahibs argument on the Surah mominoon verse in which he states that the provisions of the verse don’t apply to one relieving him or herself sexually but only in conditions where sexual acts involve more than 2 people. Just waiting for someone to provide explanation of the bukhari Hadith in defence of the mubah argument on this matter. However I do realize that the argument of masturbation being detrimental to physical and mental health is absolute rubbish and that the scientific evidence actually points to the contrary. In fact, male masturbation is crucial to prevent serious diseases such as prostrate cancer. However this opinion of it being a major sin still bothers me. Im due to see a Muslim psychotherapist in a weeks time who has a niche specialization in spiritual and mental health. I’m hoping to benefit from it and relief my mental pain inshallah. Meanwhile if anyone has any piece of helpful advice for me, I would be very grateful 🥲