Is a bad intention, even without action, considered a sin?

In the profound and rich teachings of the Holy Quran, the concepts of 'intention' (niyyah) and its relationship with 'action' (amal) hold a significant place. To answer the question of whether a bad intention, even without action, is considered a sin, we must carefully deliberate upon the divine verses and consider the various aspects of God's mercy and justice. Generally, the Quran emphasizes the importance of both intention and action, but it differentiates between a firm resolve to commit a sin and merely a fleeting thought or a satanic whisper that one successfully repels. One of the pivotal verses in this regard is Surah Al-Baqarah (2:284), which states: “To Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth. And whether you disclose what is in your souls 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 clearly indicates that Allah is aware of everything that passes through our hearts and souls, and He will hold us accountable for it. This includes thoughts, intentions, and decisions that form within us, whether they are revealed or kept hidden. At first glance, this verse might suggest that even a bad intention without action leads to punishment. However, to fully comprehend this verse, it must be examined in light of other Quranic verses and the prophetic tradition (Sunnah), which elucidates the divine word. The boundless mercy of Allah is a central theme in the Quran. Allah describes Himself as “Arham-ur-Rahimin” (the Most Merciful of those who show mercy) and “Ghafur Rahim” (Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful). Many verses emphasize the forgiveness of sins for those who repent, as well as divine grace. If every fleeting bad thought or intention were considered a sin deserving punishment, life would become exceedingly difficult and unbearable for humans, as the human mind is constantly exposed to various temptations and thoughts, both good and bad. This is where the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), as an interpreter and explainer of the Quran, provides a clearer picture. Numerous authentic Ahadith, including the well-known Hadith Qudsi, state that if a servant intends to perform a good deed, but does not carry it out, Allah records it for him as a complete good deed. If he intends to do a good deed and then performs it, Allah records it for him as ten good deeds, up to seven hundred times, and even more. And if he intends to commit a bad deed but does not carry it out, Allah records it for him as a complete good deed (because abandoning a sin for Allah's sake is itself a good deed). But if he intends a bad deed and then performs it, Allah records it as only one bad deed. This Hadith demonstrates the immense mercy of Allah, who grants humans the opportunity to return and rectify their intentions. Thus, the interpretation predominantly offered by Islamic scholars for Surah Al-Baqarah (2:284) is that this verse primarily refers to deep-rooted intentions and beliefs in the heart, such as hypocrisy, disbelief (kufr), persistent malice, or a firm resolve to commit major sins that ultimately shape one’s character and actions. Intentions that arise as mere temptations or fleeting thoughts that a person does not consent to and actively repels are not considered sins. Such thoughts usually originate from Shaytan (Satan) or the commanding self (nafs al-ammarah), and as long as a person does not succumb to them and does not act upon them, no sin will be recorded against them. In other words, the distinction between a 'thought' and a 'firm resolve and definite decision' is crucial. A mere bad thought or temptation that crosses the mind, which a person tries to dismiss, is not a sin. However, if this thought transforms into a 'serious resolve' and a 'firm decision' to commit a sin, and the person is actively planning for it, and is only prevented by an external obstacle (not by repentance and turning back to Allah), some jurists and commentators consider this akin to a sin or deserving of reproach, although the full punishment of the act may not apply. Nevertheless, even in such a case, the door of repentance and seeking forgiveness is open. If an individual decides to commit a sin but then abandons this decision and turns back to Allah, not only is no sin written for them, but they may even receive a reward for abandoning the sin. This approach reflects divine wisdom and justice. Allah does not hold humans accountable for unwanted thoughts that arise in their minds; rather, He gives them the opportunity to guide the path of their intentions towards goodness through their own will. This encourages individuals to constantly pay attention to their inner selves and strive to purify their hearts from moral vices. Pure and good intentions, even if they cannot be actualized due to external obstacles, hold value and reward with Allah. This demonstrates that in the Islamic ethical framework, the heart and intention are the roots of human actions, and Allah pays attention to these roots, but with unparalleled grace and mercy. In summary, the Quran emphasizes that Allah is aware of all that is in the hearts, and fundamentally, intentions can be the groundwork for actions. However, due to Allah’s vast mercy and the clarifications received through the prophetic tradition, a fleeting bad intention or a satanic thought that does not translate into action, or is repented from, is not considered a sin deserving of punishment. Rather, even abandoning such a bad intention for the sake of Allah is considered a good deed. This signifies the constant opportunity for return, rectification, and repentance in the pristine religion of Islam.