27/22. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 3435 — Forgiveness for Thoughts Not Spoken or Done
The One Who Utters A Divorce To Himself (Without Uttering The Words Loudly)
Hadith About Thoughts, Words, and Actions
Sunan an-Nasai : 3435
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 3435
أَخْبَرَنِي مُوسَى بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا حُسَيْنٌ الْجُعْفِيُّ، عَنْ زَائِدَةَ، عَنْ شَيْبَانَ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ زُرَارَةَ بْنِ أَوْفَى، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى تَجَاوَزَ لأُمَّتِي عَمَّا حَدَّثَتْ بِهِ أَنْفُسَهَا مَا لَمْ تَكَلَّمْ أَوْ تَعْمَلْ بِهِ " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
The Prophet said: "Allah, the Most High, has forgiven my Ummah for whatever enters the mind, so long as it is not spoken of or put into action."
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3435In-book reference : Book 27, Hadith 47English translation : Vol. 4, Book 27, Hadith 3465
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 3435
This Hadith repeats the meaning of the inner thoughts hadith in a short and clear form. Abu Hurairah narrates from the Prophet that Allah has forgiven the Ummah for whatever enters the mind, so long as it is not spoken of or put into action. The message is easy to understand: thoughts that pass through the mind are not the same as speech and action. This matters for people who worry about unwanted thoughts or whispers. The text gives relief, but it also tells us where the line is: once a person speaks or acts, the matter is no longer only an inner thought.
What we learn from this hadith
- What enters the mind is forgiven while it remains unspoken and undone.
- The Hadith clearly separates inner thoughts from outward choices.
- Words and actions carry a different status than passing thoughts.
- The narration gives hope without removing care about behavior.
