The Ruling on Backbiting in the Heart

We return to the letter of one of our sisters from Makkah al-Mukarramah, who has indicated her name with the initials (A. M. D). Our sister presented some of her questions in a previous episode, and in this episode she asks: What is the ruling on backbiting in the heart?
Answer: Nothing is required of the heart. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said in the authentic hadith: So, whatever is in the heart, such as the thought that so-and-so is such-and-such, that so-and-so is stingy, that so-and-so has bad character, that so-and-so is stingy, this does not harm in the heart. And if he leaves it for the sake of Allah, Allah writes for him a good deed. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: If he leaves it due to forgetfulness of it or preoccupation with it, it is not written against him. A mere thought is not written against him because it is from the actions of the heart. But when he thinks and commits an evil deed, Allah writes it as an evil deed. If he thinks but does not act, it is not written against him. If he leaves it for the sake of Allah, Allah writes it for him as a good deed. This is the favor of Allah, the Exalted, His existence and His generosity. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good.