SPIRITUAL HELP OR SPIRITUAL TRAP?
A Cry from Troubled Hearts
1-When the Heart Is Heavy
When life is not smooth, the heart begins to cry in silence.
Some cry over delayed success, others over broken homes, sickness, poverty, or unanswered prayers. Nights become long, thoughts become heavy, and hope begins to shake.
At such moments, people do not ask, “What is correct?”
They ask, “What will work?”
It is then that many are told: “Go and see a shaikh.”
But a painful question rises from troubled hearts:
Is this spiritual help, or a spiritual trap?
Why Pain Makes People Vulnerable
Hardship weakens emotional defenses. When a person feels stuck despite prayers and effort, desperation grows. In that state, people are ready to try anything that promises quick relief , even if it risks their faith.
2- Pain can push people either closer to Allah or into confusion.
The Search for Spiritual Help
Islam does not deny spiritual support. The Prophet ﷺ himself was approached by companions who were sick, worried, or distressed. He offered them duʿā’, guidance, patience, and hope.
Allah commands:
*فَاسْأَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ*
(Q 16:43)
*“So ask the people of knowledge if you do not know.”*
Seeking guidance is allowed, but Islam draws a clear line between guidance and manipulation.
3-Two Kinds of spiritual scholar
A.The one who Leads to Allah ✅
This person:
Teaches Qur’an and Sunnah
Encourages ṣalāh, tawbah, duʿā’, patience
Advises general ṣadaqah
Makes duʿā’ without claiming special powers
Such a scholar connects hearts to Allah, not to himself.
B.The One Who Replaces Allah ❌
This person:
Claims hidden or unseen knowledge
Says: “Someone is spiritually blocking you”
Prescribes secret rituals or strange acts
Demands money tied to “spiritual solutions”
Insists on secrecy, this is considered a pseudo scholar
This is where spiritual help turns into a spiritual trap.
4- Ṣadaqah: Worship or Transaction?
Ṣadaqah is a powerful act of worship in Islam.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
*الصَّدَقَةُ تُطْفِئُ الْخَطِيئَةَ كَمَا يُطْفِئُ الْمَاءُ النَّارَ*
(Tirmidhī)
*“Charity extinguishes sins just as water extinguishes fire.”*
But ṣadaqah is not a spiritual bargain.
It is worship done sincerely for Allah, not a payment to unlock destiny.
Allah says:
*وَمَا تُنفِقُوا مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ بِهِ عَلِيمٌ*
(Q 2:273)
*“And whatever good you give, Allah knows it.”*
5- When the Line Is Crossed
Spiritual danger begins
When trust shifts from Allah to a person, fear of displeasing a shaikh replaces fear of Allah
Duʿā’ is delayed until permission is given
Faith becomes mysterious instead of clear
Allah reminds us:
*وَإِن يَمْسَسْكَ اللَّهُ بِضُرٍّ فَلَا كَاشِفَ لَهُ إِلَّا هُوَ وَإِن يُرِدْكَ بِخَيْرٍ فَلَا رَادَّ لِفَضْلِهِ*
(Q 6:17)
*“And if Allah touches you with harm, none can remove it except Him; and if He intends good for you, none can repel His bounty.”*
6- The Way of the Prophet ﷺ with the Troubled
The Prophet ﷺ never sold spiritual solutions or claimed hidden powers. Instead, he taught direct reliance upon Allah.
He said:
*وَاعْلَمْ أَنَّ الأُمَّةَ لَوِ اجْتَمَعَتْ عَلَى أَنْ يَنْفَعُوكَ بِشَيْءٍ لَمْ يَنْفَعُوكَ إِلَّا بِشَيْءٍ قَدْ كَتَبَهُ اللَّهُ لَكَ*
(Tirmidhī)
*“Know that if the whole nation were to gather to benefit you, they would not benefit you except with what Allah has written for you.”*
A Gentle Message to the Troubled Heart
O you whose life feels stuck,
O you whose prayers feel heavy,
Know this: delay is not rejection.
Trial is not abandonment.
Allah says:
*فَإِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا ۝ إِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا*
(Q94:5–6)
*“Indeed, with hardship comes ease. Indeed, with hardship comes ease.”*
7- Choose Light Over Illusion
Not everyone who speaks in the name of spirituality is guiding people to Allah. Some turn pain into dependency.
Islam calls us to spiritual responsibility, not spiritual slavery.
Allah says:
*وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُ*
(Q 65:3)
*“And whoever relies upon Allah , He is sufficient for him.”*
When life breaks you, do not look for a saviour among men , but to Almighty Allãh
✍️
OYEWUMI, Abdullahi Maruf (Al-maroof)