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Fatwa CenterEvil thoughts are pardoned unless spoken or practiced
Question
Dearest scholars. I kindly ask that you answer my questions specifically rather than referring me to other answers b/c I desperately need assurance, with all due respect. My question is regarding the conditions of repentance. If I masturbated (I have repented greatly for this) and imagined filthy thoughts about members of my close family (I am so ashamed I don't want to specify) Is it necessary for me to tell them and apologize for doing so b/c I know one of the conditions of repentance are that you restore rights to those you have wronged. Also while doing this I have had horrible thoughts insulting my Lord and didn't try to resist them at the time. I have severe anxiety sometimes, if you answer my question with reference to other answers I feel like I have not been answered and that the answers do not apply to me. I sometimes even question whether I should trust what you reply with is true. May Allah forgive me. Also I still get evil/wrong thoughts although I am a devout Muslim, I still feel like I am evil for having these thoughts. I pray, do extra prayers, have given up almost all sins, and recite Quran and ignore these thoughts. Is this the correct thing to do? May Allah reward you for your help I am so grateful.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
First of all, you should endeavor to meet the requirements of sincere repentance and you should know that Allaah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful and that He forgives all sins for those who repent from them, as Allaah says (what means): {Say, "O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allaah. Indeed, Allaah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful."} [Quran 39:53]
You do not have to inform that person about your evil thoughts; rather, you must avoid telling him or her, as this leads to great evil. Your repentance is valid even if you do not tell him or her.
You should know that a person is not sinful for having evil thoughts. In His Mercy, Allaah has forgiven our Muslim community for the evil thoughts that we have unless we speak about them or act upon them. Hence, those thoughts and whispers do not harm you, Allaah willing.
Finally, you seem to be suffering from obsessive whispers, so we advise you to repel and ignore them because getting carried away with them leads to great evil. You should do your best to be obedient to Allaah and perform good deeds, as good deeds wipe out the bad deeds.
Allaah Knows best.
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