1/58. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 127b — Allah Overlooks Unspoken Evil Thoughts
Allah allows a person's thoughts and whatever occurs in his heart so long as they do not become established
Allah Forgives Inner Thoughts Hadith: When Whispers Are Not Actions
Sahih Muslim : 127b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 127b
حَدَّثَنَا عَمْرٌو النَّاقِدُ، وَزُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُسْهِرٍ، وَعَبْدَةُ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، وَابْنُ، بَشَّارٍ قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ أَبِي عَدِيٍّ، كُلُّهُمْ عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ أَبِي عَرُوبَةَ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ زُرَارَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ تَجَاوَزَ لأُمَّتِي عَمَّا حَدَّثَتْ بِهِ أَنْفُسَهَا مَا لَمْ تَعْمَلْ أَوْ تَكَلَّمْ بِهِ " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) observed: Verily the Great and Mighty Allah forgave my people the evil promptings arising in their minds, but they neither talked about them nor acted upon them.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 127bIn-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 239USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 1, Hadith 231
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 127b
This narration repeats the same core meaning with slightly different wording. The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم says that Allah, the Great and Mighty, forgave his people what their minds prompt them with, so long as they neither talk about it nor act upon it. This hadith about inner thoughts is very useful for people who worry about waswas in the heart. It teaches that responsibility is tied to chosen speech and chosen action. A thought that comes and goes is not treated like a deed in this report. The lesson is not to become careless. The lesson is to avoid giving the thought a voice, avoid acting on it, and stay steady.
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.
