It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) said: Indeed, Allah Almighty has forgiven my Ummah for those matters which occur to their minds or about which they have doubts, as long as they do not act upon them or speak about them.
Hadith Referenceالفتح الربانی / الإخلاص فى النية والعمل / 8904
Hadith Gradingمحدثین:صحیح
Hadith Takhrij«أخرجه البخاري: 2528، 6664، ومسلم: 127 ، (انظر مسند أحمد ترقيم الرسالة: 7470 ترقیم بيت الأفكار الدولية: 7464»
Brief Explanation
Benefits: … Al-Waswasah: Linguistic meaning: a movement that is not perceptible or a hidden sound, such as the faint jingling of jewelry, etc. Technical definition: It is the name for the act of Shaytan (Satan) enticing, misleading, and turning a person away from good and inciting him towards evil. That is, waswasah is the thought and intention of evil and disobedience created in a person’s heart by Shaytan, under the power granted to him by Allah, which, due to Shaytan’s continuous efforts, does not remain merely an intention but becomes a firm resolve and determined will. Therefore, the root of all disobedience and sins is this waswasah, from which seeking refuge has been taught in Surah al-Nas.
This waswasah is forgiven as long as it remains merely in the form of a thought.
These blessed ahadith are related to the first level mentioned in hadith number (8900); such a thought can also pertain to disbelief (kufr) and other major sins.