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Fatwa CenterIdentify the source of one's thoughts
Question
Could you explain how one could differentiate between how one could tell that something is "Ilhaam" from Allaah just like what happened to Prophet Moses' mother to throw her son Moses to the river even though she was not a Prophet. And the difference between this "Ilhaam" and other thoughts that come to mind. In other words, how could one tell that any thoughts that go through one's mind is from Allaah or from himself?
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 is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.
The mother of Moosaa (Moses) was not a Prophet. The majority of the scholars agree that all the Prophets sent by Allaah were men. Allaah says (interpretation of meaning): {And We sent not before you [as messengers] except men to whom We revealed from among the people of cities.}[12:109]. Allaah had inspired the mother of Moosaa (Moses) to throw him into the river if she feared for him. Allaah says (interpretation of meaning): {And We inspired the mother of Moosaa}[28:7].
As regards our thoughts, the scholars divided them into four kinds: Divine, angelic, of our desires and from Satan. The first and best thoughts are the divine ones, but these do not last, they are like lightning. Then the thoughts from our desires come after the divine ones; as soon as the divine thoughts are gone, thoughts from our desires take their place, with whispers and desires. As regards the thoughts that come from the angel, they are those which ordain good and obedience, and forbid evil. The fourth kind are the worst of them, they are thoughts from Satan. These thoughts do not ordain good at all, except if that good leads to evil.
To conclude, if the thoughts are good and ordain good, then they are either from Allaah or from an angel, and it is permissible to act according to them. But if these thoughts are evil, then they are either from our desires or from Satan, and therefore, one has to avoid acting according to them.
Allaah knows best.
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