Is Salah Valid When a Person Sees Uncontrollable Intrusive Images of Shirk, and What Should She Do?
Question
A person is seeing intrusive images related to shirk (churches, statues, symbols). Doctors say these are hallucinations and she cannot control them. She is taking medication, but it is not working well. It is very hard for her to pray because she sees these images in front of her during salah. She hates them and fears that by bowing or prostrating while seeing these images, she would be acting upon them. Because of this fear, she has stopped praying. This has been happening for three months. What should she do? Is her fear correct?
Answer
Alhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmain.
This situation involves severe involuntary mental phenomena, fear of shirk, and the validity of acts of worship when the mind is afflicted. Islam addresses this with clarity, mercy, and firm reassurance.
1. The Shar‘i Context
Shirk is an act of intention, belief, and willful worship. It is not constituted by involuntary thoughts, images, or hallucinations.
Allah says:
“Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity.”
Surat al Baqarah 2:286
And the Prophet said:
“Indeed Allah has pardoned my ummah for what their souls whisper to them, as long as they do not speak of it or act upon it.”
Sahih al Bukhari and Sahih Muslim
What she is experiencing is not belief, not intention, and not action. It is a medical condition that produces unwanted images, which she actively hates and rejects.
2. Intrusive Images Do Not Constitute Shirk
Shirk requires:
- Intending worship
- Believing in divinity
- Directing acts of worship to other than Allah
Seeing an image against one’s will, even vividly, does not meet any of these conditions.
The companions themselves complained of horrific intrusive thoughts, and the Prophet responded:
“That is clear faith.”
Sahih Muslim
Why? Because hatred of the thought and fear of it are signs of iman, not its absence.
3. Bowing or Prostrating While Seeing These Images
Her fear is understandable but incorrect.
Bowing and prostrating are judged by:
- Intention (niyyah)
- Direction of the heart
She is praying to Allah, intending Allah, facing the qiblah, and rejecting what she sees. The hallucinated image has no legal effect.
4. Stopping Salah Is More Harmful
Leaving prayer due to this fear is not required and not correct. In fact, abandoning salah causes greater harm to the heart and gives Shaytan a stronger foothold.
The Prophet said:
“Pray standing; if you cannot, then sitting; if you cannot, then on your side.”
Sahih al Bukhari
This shows that prayer is never abandoned, even when the body or mind is impaired. It is adjusted, not canceled.
5. What She Must Do Now
She must:
- Pray, even while seeing the images
- Ignore the images completely
- Not analyze, argue with, or respond to them
- Continue medical treatment and follow doctors’ guidance
She is rewarded for praying despite this difficulty.
6. Relevant Usul Principles
الأمور بمقاصدها
Actions are judged by their intentions.
ما لا يُقصد لا يُؤاخذ به
What is not intended is not held accountable.
Final Ruling
Seeing intrusive or hallucinatory images of shirk during salah does not constitute shirk, does not invalidate the prayer, and does not make bowing or prostration sinful, as long as the heart rejects them and intends Allah alone.
She is not sinful, and she must continue praying, even if the images persist. Ignoring them and maintaining prayer is the correct Islamic response.
Her struggle is a form of worship, and her prayer in this state is more beloved to Allah than prayer without hardship.
May Allah grant her healing, tranquility, and strength, and reward her for every moment of patience.
And Allah knows best.