Understanding The Prophet's Life
From Issue: 1061 [Read full issue]
Thoughts
Shahr ibn Hawshab reports: 'I visited Aishah with my maternal uncle, and he said to her: "Any one of us may entertain thoughts which, if he would put in words, would ruin him in the Hereafter. If he were to act on them, he would be sentenced to death". She said Allahu akbar [i.e. God is supreme] three times, then she said: "The Prophet was asked about this and he answered: 'If this happens to anyone of you, let him say Allahu akbar three times. None but a true believer feels this way'."' [Bukhari]
Only a believer can judge his thoughts in the way expressed by the man putting the question. He knows that such thoughts could lead him to disbelieve or to committing a sin that earns capital punishment. Hence he tries to suppress these thoughts.
It should be clarified that such thoughts are not punishable in this life or on the Day of Judgement, as long as they remain within the realm of thought and whim. If they are not acted upon or stated verbally [should they relate to creeds and beliefs], then they are overlooked by God. Thoughts may vary in grade. Some are merely fleeting that leave no impression on a person's way of thinking, beliefs or actions. Others are stronger, or longer lasting, but they do not provoke any action. Others still get a person to make a decision, but when the chance offers itself to act on his thought, he refrains from doing so. Even though these grades differ, they all remain unpunishable. Even if the action is prevented by circumstance, no sin is recorded against the person concerned, because the sinful action has not materialised. This is part of God's grace, because if we were to be held accountable for our thoughts, along with our actions, we would be in a very difficult position on the Day of Judgement.
By contrast, when action is taken, then punishment for the sin intended or committed is incurred, even though the action did not achieve the end in mind. Suppose a man thought of killing another and lay in ambush. When the intended victim draws near, he aims his gun and shoots. Suppose that the target was not hit and the man not killed, yet the one who fired the gun incurs the punishment for his action, which is attempted murder. Fadlullah al-Jaylani gives the following example: Five people aim their guns at an intended victim: one hits him in his leg, injuring him, while another hits him in his head and the man dies. The third misses him altogether, while the fourth's gun is stuck and does not fire. The fifth had no bullet in his gun but he thought that it did. All five incur punishment, although the first two may have a greater punishment than the other three. But all of them are party to a murder.
Compiled From:
"Al-Adab al-Mufrad with Full Commentary: A Perfect Code of Manners and Morality" - Adil Salahi