Aslam

Four Stages Of Thoughts: There are four stages for the formation of a thought in order. First, rise of a thought in mind, then inclination of passion, then order of mind and then will and determination. These four stages of a thought come in order. For instance, a woman walks behind a man. It occurs in the mind of the man after seeing the woman that she is walking behind him.
This is the sudden rise of thought in his mind. Next he thinks that he should see her again by turning his look at the back. This is the second stage called inclination of mind arising out of first thought. In the third stage, mind gives order to translate this inclination into action and as a result he turns his look towards the woman. Between the second and third stages, there are hurdles like shame or fear. Out of fear or shame, he may not look back. In the fourth stage, there is will and determination to see the woman. It is will with action.'

PUNISHMENT: There is no punishment in the first stage as man has got no control in sudden rise of thought in mind. In the second stage also, there is no punishment for the above reason.
The Prophet said regarding the above two stages: The thought that naturally arises in the minds of my followers is pardonable.
Once Hazrat Osman-b-Mazun asked the Prophet: O Messenger of God, my nature dictates to me to divorce Khaola. He said:
Make delay, marriage is my way. He again said: My nature wants me to be important. The Prophet said: Fasting among my followers works like importancy. He said again: My nature wants me to be a hermit. The Prophet said: Stop, Jihad and Haj and asceticism of my followers. He said: My nature wants me to give up meat. The Prophet said: Stop, I love it. There was no will and determination to do these things. For this reason, the Prophet advised mutual consultation before determining a thing.

Vol-HI The Book of Destructive evils 45