Does God even account for our mental thoughts?

Dear brothers and sisters in faith, your question is profoundly significant and delves into one of the most crucial aspects of our relationship with the Lord of the Worlds: divine knowledge and the accountability of our inner states. The answer to this question is clearly and beautifully articulated in the verses of the Holy Quran, filled with wisdom. Indeed, one of the verses that directly addresses this matter is Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 284. Allah (SWT) states: "To Allah belongs what is in the heavens and what is on the earth. And whether you disclose what is in your minds or conceal it, Allah will call you to account for it. Then He will forgive whom He wills and punish whom He wills. And Allah is over all things competent." This verse unequivocally declares that everything in the heavens and on earth belongs to Allah. Moreover, whether you reveal what is in your souls or conceal it, Allah will hold you accountable for it. He then forgives whom He wills and punishes whom He wills. And Allah is over all things competent. This verse explicitly states that God is not only aware of our outward actions but also has complete knowledge of our most hidden thoughts and mental whispers, and He holds us accountable for them. This demonstrates Allah's absolute and boundless knowledge; nothing, not even a secret thought, remains hidden from His sight. As 'Al-Aleem' (the All-Knowing) and 'Al-Khabir' (the All-Aware), Allah knows every detail of our existence, including the whisperings of the soul and mental suggestions. In Surah Qaf, verse 16, we read: "And We have already created man and know what his soul whispers to him, and We are closer to him than [his] jugular vein." This verse further affirms Allah's infinite knowledge of all our thoughts and mental whispers. But what does this 'accountability' truly mean? Is every fleeting, unintentional thought subject to reckoning? Here, we must consider divine mercy and justice. Immediately following Al-Baqarah 2:284, verses 285 and 286 of the same Surah come as a source of comfort and reassurance for believers. In verse 286, we read: "Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity. It will have [the consequence of] what it has gained, and it will bear [the consequence of] what it has earned. Our Lord, do not impose upon us what we have not strength to bear. And pardon us; and forgive us; and have mercy upon us. You are our protector, so give us victory over the disbelieving people." By combining these verses, we understand that Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate, out of His grace and benevolence, does not hold us accountable for fleeting and unintentional thoughts that cross our minds, especially those we strive to resist and do not act upon (such as fleeting satanic whispers). However, if these thoughts evolve into a firm 'intention' (niyyah) or a 'resolution' (azm) of the heart, and a person truly intends to commit a sin, even if they fail to carry it out, that intention will be taken into account. Similarly, good and pure intentions, even if they do not materialize, hold immense value and reward with Allah. This highlights the profound importance of intention and the heart in Islam. Intention is the spirit of action, and Allah pays more attention to what is in the hearts than to outward appearances. This awareness that Allah encompasses all our thoughts is both a blessing and a responsibility. It encourages us to engage in 'Muraqabah' (constant awareness of God's presence) and 'Muhasabah an-Nafs' (self-reckoning). Muraqabah means always keeping Allah's presence in mind, and Muhasabah an-Nafs means reviewing our actions and thoughts. This helps us to: 1. Maintain purity of heart and intention: When we know that every thought is noted by Allah, we strive to remove negative thoughts such as envy, malice, arrogance, suspicion, and hypocrisy from our hearts. Instead, we cultivate positive and constructive thoughts like love, goodwill, humility, and sincerity. 2. Combat satanic whispers: Satan constantly tries to lead people to sin through whispers. Awareness that Allah is also aware of these whispers empowers us to resist them and not give them ground. 3. Strengthen sincerity in our actions: Knowing that Allah sees even our most hidden intentions encourages us to perform our actions solely for His pleasure, avoiding ostentation and showing off. 4. Feel peace and security: Understanding that Allah is aware of our entire being, even our thoughts, brings deep comfort and closeness during moments of loneliness, hardship, and even joy. We know that nothing is hidden from Him, and He is our best Helper and Supporter. 5. Turn to repentance and seeking forgiveness: If negative or sinful thoughts cross our minds, this awareness encourages us to immediately repent and seek forgiveness from Allah, with confidence that Allah is Most Forgiving and Most Merciful. Therefore, the answer is yes, Allah is aware of all our mental thoughts, both open and hidden. But with His infinite justice and mercy, He distinguishes between fleeting thoughts and firmly established intentions. This awareness is not meant to paralyze us with fear but to guide us toward a purer, more spiritually inward, and meaningful life. It is an invitation to self-improvement and reaching the highest levels of closeness to Allah. So, in every moment of our lives, both outwardly and inwardly, let us be mindful of what we nurture in our minds and hearts, for Allah, the All-Knowing and All-Seeing, is a Witness to all things.