What is the ruling on one who is unable to commit a sin? Is it said of him that he has repented from it because he did not commit it?

The questioner : The third part, or the third branch, of the question remains, which is the repentance of a person who is unable [to commit the sin]...

The Shaykh : Yes, exactly, this last point.

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : Without a doubt, this is not repentance; because the one who, for example, left his house to satisfy his desire to enter a cinema, for instance, and found it closed, it is not said of him that he has repented. Rather, the statement of the scholars applies to him: "And among the means of protection is not finding [the means to sin]." As for this person, he is not a repentant one; he intended the sin, but it was prevented between him and it. Without a doubt, this is a mercy from Allah toward him; because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) used to say: . A person who planned all night to kill someone, for example, and when morning came he desisted from it, all this planning is not recorded against him. This is also a favor from Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He). So this person who went out to enter, for example, a cinema as we said, and found it closed, this is at a time when it is said that he has not repented, because he did not refrain as came in the other narration of the hadith: . In the other narration: . This man did not leave this evil for the sake of Allah (Mighty and Majestic), but rather because it was not made easy for him. But this is also a favor from Allah (Mighty and Majestic) in that he did not commit this sin so that a sin would be recorded against him. So this last scenario has no connection to repentance, because there is no repentance here; rather, it was prevented between him and the sin. So that is a mercy from Allah toward him. And we ask Allah (Mighty and Majestic) to be merciful to us in all our lives.