Islam - Its Meaning for Modern Man — Page 221
221 (11:115). A person who consistently fosters good morals subdues even the tendency toward bad morals. Other classifications of morals include those that affect the individual alone and those that are likely to affect others also. The Quran places every person under obligation to safeguard and promote the welfare of his own soul as well as the welfare of his fellow beings (3:111,115). The Prophet has said: “Thine own soul has also claims on thee, which must be fulfiled. ” The Quran, however, makes a distinction between thoughts and designs that are deliberately entertained and those that cross the mind involuntarily, to be suppressed or discarded as soon as they are perceived. The former possess a moral quality and involve responsibility and accountability (2:226). If a person resists or suppresses an involuntary thought which is an incitement to evil, his reaction is moral and constitutes a good action. The same is the case if he seizes upon a passing thought which contains a suggestion for the doing of good and proceeds to translate it into deed, but not so if he acts under a momentary surge of emotion without deliberation or judgement coming into play. On the other hand, if he does not take advantage of the suggestion and ignores it, he misses an opportunity of doing good, and that has a negative moral character.