Question Summary:
How do I ward off the fear and panic attack stopping me from Salaah?

Question Detail:

I belong to a very religious family but My problem is that I am scared to pray. I run away from salah. The reason is I had my first panic attack while I was offering fajar prayer. From that day on I start having panic attack. Even if I hear adhan I feel scared..i feel i am having heart attack.I shut my ears.I make tobah aloot I cry alot. I feel soo unlucky I feel punished. I cant find peace in Salah. What should I do? I fear I might die..I don't know if its shaitan or my fear ? Help me how do I over come my fear.my fear is taking me away from allah! I fear to go to mosque. Makkah.Madina.please help me I want to come close to Allah bit these fears are taking me away from here I rum away from praying..I want to pray..as I did before..im 16 years old.

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
Sister in Islam,
At the outset, we would like to commend you on expressing your grief and sorrow on becoming distanced from Allah, wanting to come close to Allah and seek a solution to your issue.
We are saddened to hear your state and we hope and pray Allah Ta‘ālā helps you and those who suffer from similar phobias in overcoming your phobia, in connecting to Him and in remaining steadfast on His Deen. Ameen.
We are unfortunately unable to respond to your query due to not knowing your background and the very root of the phobia. We advise you to contact a reliable female scholar in your locality who you could confide in and overcome your difficulty; or alternatively a therapist or a psychologist who specialises in diagnosing phobias and difficulties. They may be able to assist you in identifying and diagnosing the root of your problem and providing a suitable remedy and cure.
 
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Hanif Yusuf Patel
Student Darul Iftaa
UK
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.