![Finding comfort with OCD in the Quran](https://www.soundvision.com/sites/default/files/styles/article-teaser/public/field/image/2483.png?itok=aY1P6jtl)
The whole Quran has this unbelievable way of amazing me. Its beautifully poetic verses and breath taking words just settle in my heart and mind so warmly. Though the whole Quran has the power to make me feel like everything will be okay, there is one verse that absolutely wins my heart. That verse is "On no soul doth Allah place a burden greater than it can bear" 2:286. (This verse is also repeated in 6:152, 7:42 and 65:7).
I can not think of any other verse in the Quran that empowers me as much as this one does. This is a verse I often reflect on in times of stress, sadness and need. Think about it. Just repeat the words.
On NO soul does Allah place a burden GREATER than it can bear.
Now, tell me, what is it that we can not overcome? What test is too much to bear? What final exam, what major decision, what grief of a loved one passing away, do we not eventually overcome? The answer is simple - none.
This verse really hit me at a time I needed it most. For the last couple of years, I have been suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, OCD. It is a disorder that effects millions of people, and is due to a chemical imbalance in the brain.
This disorder caused me to have many unnecessary thoughts. I would repeatedly replay incidents over and over in my head. The type I have is more of a mental OCD, rather than a physical type. However, I would sometimes encounter physical anxiety. For example, sometimes I felt I had to touch something a certain amount of times or repeat things.
The hardest challenge was when I came to have difficulties in making wudu, the purification washing before performing a prayer. I was always under the impression that my wudu was not good enough or that I missed washing a spot. I would literally stand in front of the sink repeating my wudu until I thought I had it perfect. The same would happen with my prayers. I would pray the same prayer 3 times just to make sure it was "perfect".
Little did I know that on one particularly rough day, I would be inspired. I was feeling very down because of the OCD. I just could not handle it. It is hard to explain to someone who does not have it, it is just so frustrating because it seems like an easy thing to handle, but for one who has OCD it is incredibly exhausting.
So, I am standing in front of the sink, wondering to myself why it is so difficult to just be content with the things I do. I was so angry. So upset. Until the phone rang. It was my brother, calling from his college dorm.
My mom picked up the phone and spoke with him. I assume she told him that I was having a rough day, so he asked to talk to me. When I got on the phone, all he said was, "Go look in the Quran in chapter 2, verse 286".
So I went and picked up my Quran that he had recently bought me. I flipped through the pages until I came to the verse. Then I stared at the words and read them in my head. "On no soul does Allah place a burden greater than it can bear." I had to fight back tears. I actually felt like Allah had written those words just for me.
It was that day that I really understood what those words meant. I still reflect on the words every time I need to. So I want to tell you all, my brothers and sisters, let those remarkable words settle in your hearts and minds. Always remember that there is nothing we can not overcome. Allah said so.
(By the way, OCD can be controlled, please reach out to a doctor if you feel you need too. Always remember Allah is watching over you).
Comments
amal from london wished for an ocd support group. I do not have one but if you go to chat and the category life-then you will see a chat room called muslims and ocd. maybe we can get some support talking with others there-insallah.
Location
Salamualaikum.Great article. I also suffer from OCD and preparing for prayer can be a nightmare.Alhamdulillah my family understands and my husband is starting to get to understand the problem more.I wish i could find a support group for muslim OCDsufferers.Allah is with the patient..
Location
Assalamo Alaikum,Subhan'Allah!!May Allah SWT help all of us overcome the demons in our lives.
Location
Assalaamu Alaykum, EveryoneWow!I always thought I was the only one. I suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Behaviour and it seems to bug me especially when I'm about to make salaah. Indeed that verse helps me a lot, Alhamdolillah. After saying it, I can feel my burden slipping away. I've started doing this before I read this article, but I'm so glad I came across it. Alhamdolillah.Assalaamu Alaykum
Location
Salaam. This is an excellent article. Unfortunately, I think I also have a problem with mental OCD. I keep going over stuff in my head and feel uneasy, dissatisfied. It happens before I leave for work, before I leave to go home, and at night before bed. I keep wondering if I finished everything I wanted, or if I missed something or forgot something... I waste too much time thinking, and then I wonder why I'm so unproductive and tired!
Location
Inspiring and a good reminder of Allah's greatness. Facing stressful times myself but the article was an eye-opener. Do you realize that sometimes when we just open the Al-Quran, any page, any surah, there will be a ayat that seems so relevant to us at that time? Allahuakhbar.
Location
I just had a luncheon with a nonmuslim Lady. Like me, she is trying to have children for the last ten years. both of us are religious, but there are many differences between us: she does Yoga I pray, she takes antidepressents drugs I read and memorize Quran. She cannot accept her situation I always say that God doesn't give me a burden I can't bear. She cries when she see children, seeing children it is an opportunity for me to discover their talents and teach them the wonders of Allah. Islam is the perfect religion on earth and the key to open all doors , and most important is to practise this religion in a right manner.Thank you for this article it helped me alot , and may Allah guide us all to his right path.Susan
Location
jazakum Allahu khayran.Very moving article. I am currently a doctoral student in clinical psychology and I found your testimony to be inspiring as well as informative.May Allah grant you tawfiq in all your efforts.-Omar
Location
Pages
Add new comment