If a Muslim begins a sin and then abandons it, not out of fear of Allah, is he punished for it?

The questioner : If he began the sin, then after beginning it, may Allah have mercy on him.

The Shaykh : Yes.

The questioner : Mm.

The Shaykh : He began the act but did not complete it. It was not for Allah’s sake, nor out of inability. It appears that he is responsible for what he did of this sin, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): And he did not avoid what he did of the sin, nor is he punished for the remainder of the sin.