Leaving off a sin due to inability to commit it, with evidence.

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The Shaykh : Now, the second case is when one leaves it off due to inability, meaning he tried but was unable. In this case, he is punished with the punishment of the one who committed it. The evidence for this is the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)

When two Muslims confront one another with their swords, both the killer and the slain will be in Hell.” They said: “O Messenger of Allah, (we understand about) this killer, but what is wrong with the one who is slain?” He said: “He wanted to kill his companion.’

إذا التقا المسلمان بسيفيهما فالقاتل والمقتول في النار، قالوا يا رسول الله هذا القاتل فما بال المقتول؟ قال لأنه كان حريصاً على قتل صاحبه

Sunan Ibn Majah 3964Sahih (Darussalam)

Based on this, if a thief intended to rob a house and brought a ladder and tried to climb it, but was unable because people were around him, or was unable because the ladder broke, is the sin of the thief recorded against him? The answer is yes, because he was eager to steal but was unable to do so.

Source alathar.net

The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.

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