Faith, popularly known as “Iman” in Islamic terminology, is the foundation of Islamic belief. It is one of the greatest Blessings of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ on the true believers. No one can claim to be a Muslim without faith. Faith means believing from the core of one's heart, declaring it through the tongue, and expressing it through one's deeds and actions. It is not merely a thought; it demands a firm and unwavering trust in Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. It is a matter of believing that Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ is the Only One who guides us to the righteous way of living in this world.
The faith, in Islam, is based on six essentials, such as, belief in Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, belief in Angels, belief on Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ Books, belief on the Prophets, including the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ and all previous Prophets, belief on the Day of Judgement, and belief on the Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ Decree. Not believing in any of these essentials makes the Iman of a believer weak or even nullified. On the other hand, doubts about faith can sometimes develop in one's heart. It often happens when someone feels that his desires are not being fully met despite having firm belief in Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, and consistently making Duas.
Like all other issues, Islam also provides a remedy for doubt in faith through making Dua for doubts in faith. Various Duas for strengthening faith, or for when having doubts about faith, can be found in the Quran and Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. The 8th verse of Surah Aal-e-Imran teaches us a strong Dua for strengthening Iman, as follows:
Translation - They pray to Allah: 'Our Lord! Do not let our hearts swerve towards crookedness after You have guided us to the right way, and bestow upon us Your mercy. Surely You, only You, are the Munificent Giver!
This meaningful verse provides strong spiritual guidance for those who fear doubts creeping into their hearts and minds about faith, which may distract them from the right path. Beyond this verse, other Duas for weak faith or religious doubts are mentioned in different Hadiths. Hadith 134a of Sahih Muslim narrates how to overcome doubts in faith.
Translation - Men will continue to question one another till this is propounded: Allah created all things, but who created Allah? He who finds himself confronted with such a situation should say: I affirm my faith in Allah.
So, the best way of coming out of doubts in faith is reaffirming faith in Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. It means doubts in faith can be removed with more faith. There is also a Dua for doubts in faith, mentioned in this Hadith: "I affirm my faith in Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ”. The same subject is also mentioned in Hadith 3276 of Sahih Al-Bukhari, in a different context, as follows:
Translation - Satan comes to one of you and says, 'Who created so-and-so? 'till he says, 'Who has created your Lord?' So, when he inspires such a question, one should seek refuge with Allah and give up such thoughts.
This Hadith guides us on three basic things about doubts in faith: first, Satan creates doubts in our minds and hearts; second, when they happen, we should seek refuge in Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ; and third, we should stop thinking about such doubts. And how to take refuge in Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ against Satan is mentioned in Hadith 2610b of Sahih Muslim, as follows:
Translation of relevant part - I know of a wording; if he were to utter that, he would get out (of the fit of anger) (and the wording is): I seek refuge with Allah from Satan, the accursed. Thereupon, a person went to him who had heard that from Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) and said to him: Do you know what Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said? He (the Holy Prophet) said: I know a wording; if he were to say that, (the fit) would be no more (and the words are): I seek refuge with Allah from Satan, the accursed.
This Hadith also teaches us that when having doubts in faith, we should recite “I seek refuge with Allah from Satan, the accursed”, realizing that the doubts are created by Satan.
According to the sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), one afflicted with doubt in his faith should recite this supplication three times and then renounce what is causing that doubt [Hisn al-Muslim 141]. There is no specific time to recite this supplication, and they may recite it as many times as they can. However, one should pray with humility and seek refuge from the evil. To persevere despite the doubts is what the test of faith is. One should not give in to their doubts and remain steadfast in the way of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) and try their best to be righteous in their acts rather than not avoiding sin.
Although there are no specific religious rituals for making Dua when having doubts about faith, one has to observe some basic practices while making Dua. The etiquettes of reciting Dua for doubts in faith are summarized here:
Joy & Distress Duas
'A 'oothu billaahi minash-Shaytaanir-rajeem.
I seek refuge in Allah from satan the outcast (then you should desist from doing what you are in doubt about).
'Aamantu billaahi wa Rusulihi.
I believe in Allah and His Messenger.
Huwal-'Awwalu wal-'Aakhiru wadh-Dhaahiru wal-Baatinu, wa Huwa bikulli shay'in 'Aleem.
He is the First and the Last, the Most High and the Most Near. And He is the Knower of all things
This Dua is mentioned in the 8th verse of Surah Aal-e-Imran and is considered the best Dua for strengthening faith.
رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغْ قُلُوْبَنَا بَعْدَ اِذْ ھَدَيْتَنَا وَھَبْ لَنَا مِنْ لَّدُنْكَ رَحْمَۃً۰ۚ اِنَّكَ اَنْتَ الْوَھَّابُ
Rabbana la tuzigh quloobana baAAda ith hadaytana wahab lana min ladunka rahmatan innaka anta alwahhab
Our Lord! Do not let our hearts swerve towards crookedness after You have guided us to the right way, and bestow upon us Your mercy. Surely You, only You, are the Munificent Giver.
This Dua is one of the most powerful supplications to avoid doubtful thoughts about faith. The reciter directly seeks refuge in Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, requesting Him to strengthen his faith, once guidance has been blessed upon him. He also requests Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ not to let his heart deviate from faith, while seeking His mercy.
The benefits of the supplication when in doubt are manifold. Firstly, Allah accepts the prayers of His people when they reach out to Him with full sincerity and purity of intention. Secondly, seeking help from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) can help one find solace when they feel tested in their faith. Moreover, this supplication will strengthen a believer's faith and help them withstand any doubt and persevere in the way of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). Invocation for one afflicted with doubt in his faith can help one sustain oneself with this faith that if they do not give in to the doubts, there are greater rewards. The doubt may be a test, and if they pass through this without giving in to the whisperings, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) will surely bless and reward them.
The best and most powerful Dua is mentioned in the 8th verse of Surah Aal-e-Imran: "Rabbana la tuzigh quloobana baAAda ith hadaytana wahab lana min ladunka rahmatan innaka anta alwahhab”. This is a direct request to Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, asking for the preservation of faith with His blessings and mercy.
As mentioned in Hadith 2610b of Sahih Muslim, a believer needs to take refuge in Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ against Satan by saying "A 'oothu billaahi minash-Shaytaanir-rajeem”
No, distracted thoughts about faith come from the whispers of Satan; it does not mean that your faith has gone. However, it is a signal that you need to remain steadfast in faith while seeking refuge in Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ against Satan. You should also increase worship and make recommended Duas to come out of this phase.
Yes, there is nothing wrong with it. Muslims should regularly and repeatedly seek Allah's سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ blessings to strengthen their faith.
Yes, distractions of thought and spiritual imbalance can be a test of patience and reliance upon Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. It is therefore extremely important to turn to Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ during such a phase of your life, seeking His guidance and mercy.