1/58. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 127a — Evil Thoughts Not Spoken or Acted Upon
Allah allows a person's thoughts and whatever occurs in his heart so long as they do not become established
Evil Thoughts in Islam: Hadith on Inner Promptings and Mercy
Sahih Muslim : 127a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 127a
حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدُ بْنُ مَنْصُورٍ، وَقُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عُبَيْدٍ الْغُبَرِيُّ، - وَاللَّفْظُ لِسَعِيدٍ - قَالُوا حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَوَانَةَ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ زُرَارَةَ بْنِ أَوْفَى، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَجَاوَزَ لأُمَّتِي مَا حَدَّثَتْ بِهِ أَنْفُسَهَا مَا لَمْ يَتَكَلَّمُوا أَوْ يَعْمَلُوا بِهِ " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) observed: Verily Allah forgave my people the evil promptings which arise within their hearts as long as they did not speak about them or did not act upon them.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 127aIn-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 238USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 1, Hadith 230
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 127a
Abu Huraira reports that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said Allah forgave his people the evil promptings that arise within their hearts, as long as they did not speak about them or act upon them. This hadith about evil thoughts in Islam gives a calm and balanced lesson. A passing thought is not the same as a chosen word or action. The text does not praise evil thoughts, but it does give relief to people who feel troubled by what appears in the mind. The line is clear: do not speak it and do not act on it. The believer can focus on self-control, patience, and turning away from harmful thoughts.
What we learn from this hadith
- Unwanted inner promptings are not recorded when they are not spoken or acted upon.
- The hadith separates a passing thought from a chosen word or action.
- A believer should not treat every inner whisper as a completed sin.
- Guarding the tongue and actions remains important.
