OCD and Satan’s Whispers, with Sr. Najwa Awad | DoubleTake S4 E5

In this episode, host Mohamad Zaoud talks to Sr. Najwa Awad, a fellow at Yaqeen Institute

and author of the paper, “Clinicians, Imams, and the Whisperings of Satan.”

Watch the podcast episode here.

#waswasah

At a Glance

What is waswas in Islam?

Waswas refers to unwanted whispers that create doubt, fear, or confusion. These whispers often target what a person values most, including faith, worship, morality, and relationships, and experiencing them is not a sign of weak iman.

What is the difference between waswas and OCD?

Waswas can affect anyone, while OCD is a mental health condition characterized by recurring obsessions and compulsions. Although the two can overlap, OCD often involves repetitive rituals, reassurance-seeking, and attempts to achieve certainty that interfere with daily life.

Are intrusive thoughts a sin in Islam?

Intrusive thoughts are unwanted and involuntary, making them different from intentions or actions. A person is not accountable for thoughts that enter the mind without choice, particularly when they are distressed by them and do not act upon them.

Why do intrusive thoughts target faith and religion?

Intrusive thoughts tend to attack what matters most. For Muslims, this often means fears about Allah, worship, sincerity, purity, or committing sin, which is why the content of the thought says more about what a person values than what they truly desire.

How do I know if I have religious OCD?

Religious OCD, or scrupulosity, involves persistent doubts about faith, worship, or sin that lead to compulsive behaviors. Repeating prayers, excessive research, reassurance-seeking, or repeatedly checking whether something was done correctly are common examples.

How should I respond to waswas?

Responding to waswas often means refusing to engage with the doubt rather than trying to solve it. Seeking refuge in Allah, engaging in dhikr, and resisting the urge to perform compulsions can help weaken the cycle over time.

Is OCD a sign of weak faith?

OCD is a recognized mental health condition that affects people of all levels of religiosity. Many sincere and practicing Muslims struggle with OCD, and experiencing symptoms does not reflect a deficiency in faith, sincerity, or character.

Can Islam and therapy work together in treating OCD?

Islamic teachings provide guidance for responding to doubt and uncertainty, while evidence-based treatments address the psychological processes that maintain OCD. Together, they can provide a more comprehensive approach to healing.

What treatments are effective for OCD?

OCD is treatable. Approaches such as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (ICBT), and other evidence-based interventions can help reduce symptoms while supporting long-term recovery.