The Poison of Doubt: When Suspicion Shakes Life

The Poison of Suspicion: A Lesson in Faith and Patience

BY:Khan

Sometimes, the poison of doubt proves even more dangerous than the venom of a snake. It can silently seep into the heart of a household, creating cracks in the happiest of homes. Suspicion is like a disease: once it infects a person, it not only torments their own life but also seeks to drag others into anxiety, sorrow, and unnecessary distress. History itself is witness to the destructive power of suspicion. The first murder in human history was born out of doubt—Cain, driven by suspicion and envy, killed his brother Abel. Ancient Greek and Roman literature is also filled with wars and conflicts that erupted due to baseless doubts and misunderstandings.

Psychologists assert that there is no single formula to rid oneself of suspicion. When it grips the mind, clarity vanishes, and people form judgments based solely on assumptions. These assumptions not only hurt the person but also destroy relationships and hinder progress in life. Religion, however, offers guidance. In Islam, Allah, who is All-Knowing and All-Seeing, commands us not to spy on others or indulge excessively in curiosity. When suspicion arises, human nature tends to forget this clear directive. People attempt to investigate, to verify, or even conduct secret surveillance, only to deepen their own suffering.

A famous example of suspicion and misunderstanding was narrated by the great thinker Ashfaq Ahmed in his program Zavia. He recounted the story of his friend, Professor Saeedullah, a psychologist who went to London for a PhD. During his years abroad—a time when pursuing a PhD was particularly challenging—an unusual incident began troubling his wife. Every time she went to the basement to bathe using an electric rod to heat water, the telephone would ring at the exact same moment. When she would quickly climb back up to answer the call, no one would be on the line. This strange occurrence repeated almost daily, causing great anxiety and fear.

Worried, Professor Saeedullah informed the local police, who started an investigation. Despite monitoring, they could not identify the caller. The professor himself suspected a suspicious-looking man living nearby, assuming he was responsible. The police even placed surveillance and checked the phone exchange, yet no calls were traced to that man. The incident became widely reported in the London press, with newspapers documenting the mysterious “thief” who had stolen peace of mind from the professor and his wife. Months passed, yet the culprit remained elusive, leaving everyone frustrated.

Under mounting pressure, the professor’s wife even suggested leaving the country, describing the locals as rude and hostile. The professor, however, was determined to finish his research. Feeling cornered and overwhelmed, he turned to Allah sincerely, asking for guidance and help. That night, while contemplating the situation, he decided to conduct his own thorough investigation using his knowledge of electronics. He remembered building crystal radios in his youth, which could pick up signals through makeshift antennas. Using the same principles, he carefully monitored the electric rod.

Astonishingly, he discovered the source of the mysterious calls. Whenever the rod was energized in the water, the nearby telephone wire would pick up the electrical current, causing the phone to ring automatically. There had been no human interference at all; it was a simple case of physics creating an illusion. Within six days, the mystery was solved—something the London police had failed to do over months. The professor and his wife realized that their prolonged suffering had been caused by a natural phenomenon, yet their minds had been consumed by suspicion and fear.

This story teaches a vital lesson: suspicion, when unchecked, can create immense psychological torment and misunderstandings. It can distort reality, causing innocent people to be unfairly suspected and relationships to break down. Often, the solution lies not in human investigation or overthinking but in seeking spiritual guidance, patience, and surrendering to divine wisdom.

As the Quran teaches, believers are warned against being consumed by doubt and encouraged to trust in Allah’s knowledge. When facing situations that seem confusing or frightening, the heart should hold firmly to faith. By letting go of obsessive suspicion and turning to God with humility, one can find clarity and peace. Professor Saeedullah’s story serves as a timeless example of how faith, patience, and knowledge combined can overcome fear, doubt, and psychological torment.

Life continues to present strange, inexplicable events. People often encounter situations that seem to defy understanding. In these moments, the antidote to the poison of suspicion is a combination of rational thinking, patience, and, above all, spiritual reliance. Holding firmly to faith, while avoiding baseless judgments and unnecessary curiosity, allows one to escape the suffering caused by doubt.

Ultimately, suspicion is a silent toxin, capable of ruining relationships, careers, and peace of mind. Yet, through sincere prayer, trust in Allah, and careful observation, its grip can be broken. When doubt threatens to overwhelm, one must release control and place trust in divine guidance. In doing so, solutions emerge, clarity is restored, and the heart finds peace once more.