Can Vasvasa Be Stopped

Juma speech at Jambazar mosque, Royapettah, Chennai 
Muslim Murasu, June 2012

Sinful thoughts rise in mind. Accountability and punishment starts when one acts on those thoughts. Seek Allah’s protection if you get evil thoughts.
Yusuf (alai) got some Vasvasa (erroneous thoughts) once. He was going through a period of tribulation at that time. Yusuf(alai) prayed. Surah 12, Yusuf, verse 33 – “wa illa tasrif anni kaidahunna asbu ilaihinna wa akun minal jahilin”. “Unless You turn away their snare from me, I should feel inclined towards them and join the ranks of the ignorant”.
Evil thoughts do occur to man. Protection should be sought from Allah. Commitment should be made not to step on wrong path. You won’t be at any loss just because of thoughts.
While in Namaz, one may get distracted by job and money related thoughts. Man has no control over them. This is beyond his powers. He won’t be punished for this. Turn your attention towards prayer. Correct your Niyyath while starting Takbir. You will get control from practice. Don’t feel disappointed. Namaz is Allah’s gift. Be thankful to Allah. Don’t feel dejected that there is no soul in your prayer. Getting distracted is not a sin. There is no punishment for this.
Imam Gazzali (rah) used to conduct Namaz. His brother declined to accept his Imamath and pray behind him. Complaint went to their mother. “Imam Gazzali is often thinking about Masa’il during his prayer”. Mother said, “Gazzali is thinking about Fiqh and Masa’il. You are thinking about Gazzali in prayer”. It is not wrong to think about Quran, its meaning, explanation, during Namaz. Let thoughts not wander towards other things. Thoughts related to Ibadat are not mistakes. But worldly thoughts should be avoided.
If the thoughts become very perfect during Namaz, then one may feel proud. They may claim that they are receiving ‘wahi’. That is the reason all don’t get perfect control over thoughts during prayer. This is Allah’s wisdom. This is Allah’s arrangement. Some may feel proud and claim they are Mahadi.
Some people get recurring thoughts to do some bad deed. But they control themselves everytime. They will be rewarded for this. On the other hand, even thinking about doing good will fetch rewards. This is Allah’s Mercy.
Once a Sahabi asked Prophet about vasvasa related to Kufr, Shirk and Fisk. Prophet told that this is Alamath (sign) of Imaan. Don’t be scared.
Robber will target only wealthy houses. Shaitan will attack only good hearts. Shaitan will try to steal Imaan. Prophet told in one Hadees, ‘Thanks to God. Shaitan’s evil methods are restricted to vasvasa’. This won’t cause huge damage. A person is asked by king to meet him. He sets off to meet the king. Many people interfere him in his way for trivial matters. An intelligent person will ignore them and give priority to meet the king.