My iman fluctutaes. what can i do to make this more consistent. Sometimes i feel very nice but sometimes, I get ridiculous ideas.

You should understand very well that thoughts, even if they be of Kufr, Zina, etc. have no impact on your Imaan whatsoever. In fact, these thoughts are signs of your Imaan. The pious and noble companions of Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) also complained to him of evil thoughts to which he replied by saying, 'That is a clear sign of Imaan.'

Todate, we have never heard anyone involved in sins, and leading a life totally against the Shari'ah complaining of evil thoughts. If we get complains then it is in most cases from those who have made a firm intention to change their lives and become better Muslims. Your mind is like a highway. Today a king or pious person would pass over it, tomorrow a begger or evil person would pass by. In the same way, one day you would get good thoughts (of performing Salaat, reciting the noble Qur'aan, etc.) and on another day you would get evil thoughts of Kufr, Zina, etc. As long as the thoughts are not put into action, you would not be answerable for them, hence, you need not worry about them.

As for the cure, understand that these thoughts are like live electric wires. If you pay attention to them by touching them, you will get shocked. So ignore them. Secondly, it is a fact that one can not pay full attention to two things at the same time. Therefore, when these thoughts come, ignore them and occupy yourself in some other work. You may also read 'Laa hawla Walaa Quwwata Illaa billaahi al-Aliyy al-Adheem' (There is no power - to refrain from evil - nor ability - to doing good - except with Allah, the Most High, the Exalted) and say the following words, 'Aamantu billaahi wa rusulihi' (I bring Imaan - firm conviction - in Allah and His Messenger (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam). These are quite effective in repelling evil thoughts.

and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

Mufti Ebrahim Desai
FATWA DEPT.