Combining the hadith, “And if they intended an evil deed but did not commit it, Allah records it with Him as a good deed,” with the hadith: “When two Muslims meet with their swords”

The questioner:
This questioner says, may Allah reward you: Does a Muslim sin if he intends an evil deed? And how do we combine the hadiths? Does a Muslim sin if he intends an evil deed?

The Shaykh:
He intended the evil deed. Yes, that is what is meant. That is how we describe it.

The questioner:
We combine the hadith ?

The Shaykh:
Yes, because in the hadith he is held accountable for his intention; he is held accountable for his intention. If a person intends an evil deed, intends it, and commits it, one evil deed is recorded for him. If he intends it but does not commit it, one good deed is recorded for him. This is if he did not commit it, meaning he left it because he disliked it. But if he left it because he was unable to do it, and if he had been able to do it, he would have done it, then he is held accountable for his intention. The one who killed his brother was eager to do so, even though he was killed. Both of them, the killer and the killed, are in the Fire. When two Muslims meet with their swords, the killer and the killed are in the Fire. They said: O Messenger of Allah, that is the case of the killed one; what is the case of the killer?
He said: He was eager to kill his companion, meaning he did not turn away from his intention; he remained with it. Therefore, Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, punished him. If a person intends an evil deed and leaves it for the sake of Allah, one good deed is recorded for him. If he leaves it because he is unable to carry it out, and in his intention he would do it if he were able, then it is recorded as an evil deed for him. Yes.