Navigating Chronic Doubt: Spiritual Ease for Physical Discomfort

DWQA Questions › Navigating Chronic Doubt: Spiritual Ease for Physical Discomfort

Dr. Asiya Staff asked 2 weeks ago

I have stomach issues and my problem is that I’m always having a sensation of passing gas. It is so confusing because sometimes i don’t even know that whether i passed gas or was it just muscle contraction or bubble. It's even hard for me to explain but its 24/7. At home this is not an issue because im relaxed and i do wudhu anytime but any time im out and especially at my office i have to stay alert all the time and my anxiety keeps on rising. Sometimes out of frustration i break my wudhu and re-do but mostly its very difficult to do wudhu in office. How should i handle this problem because i can’t keep on doing wudhu in my office. And im always doubting and guessing if my wudhu is broken or not.

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Dr. Asiya Staff answered 2 weeks ago

You are a working woman dealing with gas issues and constant anxiety about whether gas has passed or not. You stay so alert at the office, yet you are relaxed at home. You keep wondering if it was just a bubble, a muscle contraction, or something else, and as a result, you struggle to maintain your Wudhu.
I must tell you: this is straight-up OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder). Waswasa (whispers), obsessive thoughts, and feeling 'out of control'—these are all different names for the same behavior at different stages. The more tense you become, the more you will experience this feeling. The more you relax, the more focused you will be.
The primary cure for your situation was beautifully provided by the Prophet ﷺ. Take a deep breath, give yourself a pause, and ask yourself: 'Did I hear a sound?' or 'Was there a smell?' If neither occurred, then tell yourself firmly: 'I am not going to do Wudhu again.' Be stubborn with yourself. Your Nafs (self) will whisper, 'But what if...?' You must respond, 'No—the Prophet ﷺ has given the command, and that is final.' The solution to your problem lies in relaxation; as you calm down, everything will improve. If the physical issue truly persists despite your relaxation, then simply perform Wudhu once for each prayer and do not worry about it in between.

Navigating Chronic Doubt: Spiritual Ease for Physical Discomfort

Dr. Asiya Madani is a highly accomplished professional with a robust background in Islamic Education and English Language and Literature. She holds a Ph.D. in Islamic Educational Psychology, with a focus on students’ active learning and skill development through effective teaching strategies.