Does God see our mental mistakes?

In the precious teachings of the Holy Quran, one of the most fundamental and comforting concepts is the boundless extent of Allah's knowledge and awareness. The answer to the question of whether God sees our mental mistakes is, unequivocally, 'yes.' Allah, the Absolute Knower and Aware of everything in existence, has complete dominion not only over our outward actions but also over our innermost thoughts, intentions, and even the fleeting whispers of our minds. This truth is clearly articulated in numerous Quranic verses, which state that the Lord knows what is within the breasts and hearts, and nothing remains hidden from His knowledge. The Quran explicitly states, "He knows what is in the breasts" (Ya'lamu ma fi al-sudur), meaning what is concealed within the hearts and minds. This encompasses all thoughts, desires, worries, aspirations, and even the temptations that may cross a person's mind, whether positive or negative. To better understand this, one must differentiate between 'passing thoughts' (waswas and fleeting notions) and 'firm intentions' (azm and decided resolves). Allah is aware of both, but the manner of accountability and dealing with them differs. Verse 284 of Surah Al-Baqarah is one of the key verses in this regard: "To Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And if you disclose what is in yourselves or conceal it, Allah will bring 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 might seem concerning at first glance, but immediately after it, verses 285 and 286 of Surah Al-Baqarah were revealed, reassuring the believers and emphasizing that Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity: "Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity." These verses, taken together, indicate that although Allah is aware of everything and has the power to hold accountable for every intention and action, by His grace and mercy, He primarily holds accountable for firm intentions and the actions that stem from them, not for fleeting thoughts and involuntary temptations that cross a person's mind and which one cannot fully control moment by moment. It is a fundamental principle in Islam that thoughts and intentions that do not materialize into action, or thoughts that are merely satanic whispers or unwanted recollections that one strives to resist, are generally not held against a person. This divine mercy and forgiveness demonstrate Allah's profound understanding of human nature and its limitations. However, if a 'mental mistake' signifies cultivating a bad intention, planning to commit a sin, or harboring persistent malice and envy in the heart that an individual nurtures, then yes, these too are recorded in Divine knowledge and can have ethical and spiritual consequences, even if they do not lead to an overt action. This is because intention alone can be a crucial factor in determining the value of deeds and can lead to the defilement of the soul. Verse 19 of Surah Ghafir also confirms this truth: "He knows the deceit of the eyes and what the breasts conceal." This verse teaches us that Allah is not only aware of stealthy and treacherous glances but also of the most hidden intentions and thoughts concealed within the breasts. This profound insight reminds us that we cannot hide anything from Allah, and this awareness should guide us towards purity of intention and rectification of inner thoughts, rather than creating paralyzing fear. Furthermore, in Surah Qaf (50:16), 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 explicitly refers to Allah's awareness of the soul's whispers and emphasizes that Allah is closer to us than our jugular vein. This proximity signifies Allah's complete scientific and existential encompassment of our entire being, including our most hidden thoughts and inner whispers. This verse not only expresses the grandeur of Divine knowledge but also conveys a sense of Allah's constant presence and merciful oversight, which can be a source of tranquility and motivation for inner improvement. Therefore, the Quranic perspective is that Allah is fully aware of our mental thoughts and intentions. This awareness has not only a warning aspect (to prevent the cultivation of bad intentions) but also a reassuring and mercy-oriented aspect. Allah knows that humans are exposed to various temptations and thoughts, and He is aware of human weaknesses. Thus, the mere occurrence of a negative thought or temptation, without the individual consenting to it or resolving to act upon it, does not lead to accountability. What is important is the struggle against these negative thoughts, refraining from nurturing them, and striving to maintain purity of intention and heart. This leads us towards self-improvement and spiritual growth, with the assurance that Allah sees and rewards our pure intentions and our efforts to overcome inner weaknesses, and forgives unintended mistakes. This boundless Divine knowledge is a guiding light for nurturing the self and moving towards human perfection, relying on His mercy and grace.