Rewards and Intentions
📖Sahih al-Bukhari 7501, Sahih Muslim 128
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Allah says to the angels: If My servant intends to commit a sin, do not record it against him until he does it. If he does it, record it as one bad deed. If he leaves it for My sake, record it for him as one good deed. If he intends to do a good deed and does not do it, record it as one good deed. If he does it, record it for him as ten good deeds up to seven hundred times as much.”
This hadith highlights Allah’s mercy and justice. It shows that a person has free will – the ability to stop themselves from committing sin. If they restrain their action for the sake of Allah, it becomes a reward instead of a punishment.
Quranic Context:
📖Quran 76:3
Indeed, We guided him to the way, be he grateful or ungrateful.
Man is shown two paths – righteousness or sin – and he chooses freely.
📖Quran 18:29
And say, “The truth is from your Lord, so whoever wills – let him believe; and whoever wills – let him disbelieve.”
Faith and deeds are based on one’s own choice, proving accountability.
📖Quran 90:10
And We showed him the two paths.
Guidance is given, but it is the servant’s choice to follow or reject it.