Ruling on the Intention to Commit Sin – Clarification from an Authentic Ḥadīth Qudsī
Source: Fatāwā ‘Ilmiyyah, Volume 3 – Chapter: Issues of Tawḥīd and Sunnah, Page 86Question:
If a person intends to commit a sinful act, but for some reason does not carry it out or does not get the opportunity, will such a person be considered sinful in the sight of Allah? A clarification is required in the light of the Qur’ān and Sunnah.
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh. Ammā ba‘d:
This is an important question, and answering it is necessary so that a Muslim may purify his heart and mind from evil thoughts and sinful intentions. The answer is clearly established from a muttafaq ‘alayh (agreed upon) ḥadīth qudsī:
The Ḥadīth:
From Ibn ‘Abbās (رضي الله عنهما), who said that he heard the Prophet ﷺ narrate from Allah (ﷻ):
"If a person intends to perform a good deed but does not do it, Allah writes it down for him as a complete good deed. If he intends it and then performs it, Allah writes it down for him as ten to seven hundred times, or even more.
And if a person intends to commit an evil deed but does not do it, Allah writes it down for him as a complete good deed. But if he carries it out, Allah writes down only one evil deed for him."
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 6491; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 131)
Meaning of the Ḥadīth:
From this authentic ḥadīth, we learn:
◈ If a person merely intends to commit a sin but does not act upon it, no sin is recorded against him.
◈ In fact, Allah may write for him a complete good deed — if he refrains from the sin for Allah’s sake.
◈ Nevertheless, it is necessary to avoid sinful intentions so that one is not drawn by Shayṭān’s whispers towards the actual sin.
Whispers and Evil Thoughts:
If an evil thought or intention enters one’s heart, or Shayṭān whispers an idea of sin, one should immediately repent, seek forgiveness, and recite the verse:
﴿هُوَ الأَوَّلُ وَالْآخِرُ وَالظَّاهِرُ وَالْبَاطِنُ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ﴾
(Al-Ḥadīd: 3)
(See: Sunan Abī Dāwūd 5110 – chain ḥasan)
Conclusion:
If a person intends to commit a sin but does not carry it out, by Allah’s mercy, no sin is recorded against him — and in some cases, a good deed is recorded. However, it remains essential to guard the heart and mind against evil thoughts and intentions, for they may lead a person step by step towards sinful action.
وَالله أعلم بالصواب
9 February 2012