Question
Assalaamu ‘Alaykum,
My problem is that I am not always humbly submissive during the prayers and the recitation of the Noble Quran, and sometimes while fasting too. This often leads to feelings of despair and frustration. I experience compulsive whispers, especially during the holy month of Ramadan, about the purpose of my prayers if I will go back to my past life that abounds in mistakes and sins after the end of Ramadan.
Please advise, may Allah reward you.

Answer
In the Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Ever-Merciful,

Dear brother,

Assalaamu ‘Alaykum,

It is well known that Allah The Exalted created people and made them into two categories:
1. Believers.
2. Disbelievers in Allah and His Messenger
Allah The Exalted Says (what means): {It is He who created you, and among you is the disbeliever, and among you is the believer.} [Quran 64:2]
Allah The Exalted clarified that the creation is of two types: disbelievers and believers.
Another classification can be made among the believers. They can be classified into three categories:
1. Forerunners, who will be brought close to Allah The Exalted
2. Righteous people
3. Sinners who have mixed good deeds with the bad

Allah The Exalted mentioned these categories in many verses. He Says (what means): {Then we caused to inherit the Book those We have chosen of Our servants; and among them is he who wrongs himself, and among them is he who is moderate, and among them is he who is foremost in good deeds by permission of Allah. That [inheritance] is what is the great bounty.} [Quran 35:32]
Allah The Exalted demonstrated that these three categories will be granted Paradise, Allah willing, albeit in different levels. He highlighted that this is His great bounty for His obedient slaves. The question that arises here is: what drives you to be frustrated and hopeless, knowing that you are, no doubt, in one of these categories [of the believers], Allah willing?
Dear brother, you should strengthen your trust in Allah The Exalted and flee to your Lord. You should turn to Him in submission, imploring Him to guide and help you.
You say in your question, what is the point of performing prayers or fasting if you would return to sins after Ramadan? These thoughts are the center of Satanic whispers and plots.
Whenever these Satanic whispers cross your mind, recite the verse that reads (what means): {Recite, [O Muhammad], what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is Greater. And Allah knows that which you do.} [Quran 29:45]
The objective of Satan by these whispers is to drive you away from prayers and the mosque, convincing you that these acts of worship and good deeds are in vain as long as you commit sins afterwards. Dear brother, you should be watchful of Satan and his whispers. Bear in mind that your prayers are the first and foremost reason for your righteousness. Performing these acts of worship regularly is the most powerful means to attain salvation and ward off the torment of Allah The Almighty. In fact, the best righteous deed that expiates sins after repenting is performing prayers. Allah The Exalted Says (what means): {And establish prayer at the two ends of the day and at the approach of the night. Indeed, good deeds do away with misdeeds. That is a reminder for those who remember.} [Quran 11:114]
‘Abdullaah ibn Mas‘ood, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “A man kissed a woman (unlawfully) and then went to the Prophet and informed him of that. Allah The Exalted revealed the verse that reads (what means): {And establish prayer at the two ends of the day and at the approach of the night. Indeed, good deeds do away with misdeeds. That is a reminder for those who remember.} [Quran 11:114] The man said, “Is this instruction for me only?” The Prophet said: “It is for all those of my followers who encounter a similar situation.”” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Hence, this proves that the optimal means to expiate sins is performing the due five prayers regularly and carrying out voluntary prayers. Repentance also erases one’s past sins. Therefore, you should turn to Allah The Exalted in repentance, and seek His forgiveness for your sins and misdeeds.
The Prophet said: “O People, ask your Lord for forgiveness and turn to Him in repentance! Verily I ask Allah for forgiveness and repent to Him a hundred times a day.”
It is worth mentioning that if you repent to Allah The Exalted from a sin and then commit it after a while, your repentance is not void, rather you will be rewarded for it. However, you should repent again from the new sin. You should be heedful and pay attention to this point. Please note that most of the sins that young people usually commit are only due to being unmarried. The unmarried young man struggles with his strong sexual desire for women – as it is well known. Therefore, the Prophet said: “O young people! Whoever among you can marry, should marry, because it helps him lower his gaze and guard his modesty (i.e. his private parts from committing illegal sexual intercourse and so on.), and whoever is not able to marry, should fast, as fasting diminishes his sexual desire.” [Saheeh (Authentic)]
Moreover, you should be careful and selective in choosing your companions and friends. You should befriend pious people who help you to obey Allah The Exalted. This can be achieved through participating in religious activities and being engaged in Da‘wah work such as the distribution of useful Islamic books and tapes. These good deeds help you to ward off sins and wrongdoing. In general, Allah The Exalted rendered for each of us a path through which he can reach His guidance. Therefore, you should tread the Straight Path, to the best of your abilities.
May Allah grant us success.