A person will not be accountable for stray thoughts
Question
Is it really so that our evil thoughts are forgiven so long as we don't bring them in action because of the hadith in bukhari narrated by Abu Huraira (radhiyallahu anhu):
The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, "Allah has forgiven my followers the evil thoughts that occur to their minds, as long as such thoughts are not put into action or uttered." And Qatada (radhiyallahu anhu) said, "If someone divorces his wife just in his mind, such an unuttered divorce has no effect." Sahih al bukhari hadith no 5269
Answer
1. If it is a stray thought that crosses the mind, one will not be held accountable for it.
2. As far as talaaq is concerned, talaaq will only take place when one verbally issues the talaaq or writes out the talaaq. Through thinking of talaaq, talaaq will not take place.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
- Answered by
- Mufti Zakaria Makada
- Checked & approved by
- Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)
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