Chapter X: Remembrance of Death
THREE KINDS OF MEN: God created three kinds of men.
One kind of man are like a beasts. God says about this kind of men: They have got hearts with which they do not understand.
They have got eyes with which they do not see. They have got ears with which they do not hear. They are like beasts, nay they are more misguided - 17 : 179. Another kind of men have got bodies of men but their hearts are like the hearts of the devil.
Another kind of men will remain within the shade of God on the day on which there will be no shade except thatof God.
FIGURES OF DEVILS AND ANGELS: The devils and angels have got figures which cannot be seen by men except with the light of prophethood. The Prophet saw Gabriel twice in his form. It took place when the Prophet wanted to see his actual figure. Once he saw him in the cave of Hira covering the space between east and west and at another time near Sitratul Muntaha or farthest lot tree in the night of his ascension to heaven. At other times, he saw him in the form of a man.
EVIL THOUGHTS OF MIND: Machinations of the devil are very subtle. The Prophet said: God will forgive the thoughts of man which arise in mind till he does not disclose them in words or translate them into action. He also said: God says to the angels Keraman Katebin: Don't write when one of My servants intends to commit a sin except when he does it. When he wishes to do a good deed and translates it into action, write for him ten merits therefor. It appears from above that intention to commit a sin is forgiven. On the contrary, if one intends to do good without translating it into action, merits upto seven hundred times are written for him. There is in another Hadis: God says: I forgive one who intends to commit a sin without translating it into action.
God says: God will take into account what crosses your mind
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whether you disclose it or keep secret. Then He will forgive whom He wishes and punish whom He wishes - 2 : 284.
God say: Don't be busy in what you have no knowledge -17:
36. Similarly, eyes, ears and heart of everyone will be asked. It appears from this that actions of mind will be taken into account and ordinarily they will not be forgiven. God says: God will not punish you for useless talks in your oath, but He will punish you for what your hearts have earned. So there are conflicting views whether a man will be punished for thoughts of mind or not. The solution to us is as follows.