A bad intention alone is not a sin, but it can lead one to sin and have a negative impact on the soul.
In the Holy Quran, the significance of intention and action is emphasized. Allah states in Surah Al-Mu'minun, verse 8: "And those who are to their trusts and their covenant due" which shows that maintaining trust and fulfilling duties relies on a correct intention. While a bad intention itself may not be regarded as a sin, it can certainly lead to sinful actions. Generally, the Quran emphasizes that human intentions should be for good and righteousness. A prophetic saying goes: "Actions are judged by intentions", which means a person's deeds are evaluated based on their intent. Thus, having a bad intention, even if it does not lead to action, can disturb one’s heart and push the soul towards negativity. Additionally, in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 277, it mentions: "Indeed, Allah only accepts from the righteous" indicating that Allah accepts only good deeds from the pious. Ultimately, although having a bad intention is not a sin in itself, we must be very cautious that our intentions do not lead us into sin and error.
And those who are to their trusts and their covenant due.
Indeed, Allah only accepts from the righteous.
One day, a young man named Ali sat in concern pondering his intentions. He realized that he had bad intentions that could lead to sin. Ali decided to trust in God and steer his intentions towards good. From that day on, Ali lived with good intentions and felt like a heavy burden had been lifted off his shoulders.