Is a person held accountable for the whispers of the soul?
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The eighth question of Fatwa No. ( 7731 )
Q8: Is a person held accountable for the whispers of the soul, whether evil or good ?
A8: A person is not held accountable for mere evil thoughts, and mere good thoughts are not considered good deeds. However, if he intends to do evil and then does it, an evil deed is recorded for him. If he refrains from it voluntarily for the sake of Allah, a good deed is recorded for him. If he intends to do a good deed and does it, ten good deeds or more are recorded for him. If he intends to do it but does not because of compelling obstacles, one good deed is recorded for him. This is based on what is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), who said:Sahih Muslim 131a It was narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim . And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q8: Is a person held accountable for the whispers of the soul, whether evil or good ?
A8: A person is not held accountable for mere evil thoughts, and mere good thoughts are not considered good deeds. However, if he intends to do evil and then does it, an evil deed is recorded for him. If he refrains from it voluntarily for the sake of Allah, a good deed is recorded for him. If he intends to do a good deed and does it, ten good deeds or more are recorded for him. If he intends to do it but does not because of compelling obstacles, one good deed is recorded for him. This is based on what is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), who said:
Verily Allah recorded the good and the evil and then made it clear that he who intended good but did not do it, Allah recorded one complete good in his favour, but if he intended it and also did it, the Glorious and Great Allah recorded ten to seven hundred virtues and even more to his credit. But it he intended evil, but did not commit it, Allah wrote down full one good in his favour. If he intended that and also committed it, Allah made an entry of one evil against him.
إن الله تعالى كتب الحسنات والسيئات ثم بين ذلك؛ فمن هَمَّ بحسنة فلم يعملها كتبها الله تعالى عنده حسنة كاملة، وإن هَمَّ بها فعملها كتبها الله عز وجل عنده عشر حسنات إلى سبعمائة ضعف، إلى أضعاف كثيرة، وإن هَمَّ بسيئة فلم يعملها كتبها الله عنده حسنة كاملة، وإن هَمَّ بها فعملها كتبها الله سيئة واحدة
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.