Malfuzat - Volume VIII — Page 5
1 October 1905 5 Burn them and destroy them. There is disdain for religion and disdain for the Shariah in this. Moreover, do not keep them at home. There is nothing to be gained from this; instead, it ultimately gives rise to idolatry. It would have been better had there been a propagational message in lieu of the photograph. 1 (Before noon) Description of Sin A Turkish gentleman asked the following two questions and received their answers: Question— If someone sets out with the intent to steal or commit fornication but does not do so, will it be a sin? Answer— There is no accountability for thoughts that pass through the heart by way of whims and regarding which one does not resolve or determine to carry out. However, when an evil thought passes through the heart, and a person definitively resolves to carry it out, then there is accountability for it, and it is a sin. For example, if a thief intends to kill a particular child to steal his jewellery, even though it is not legally a crime, he is a criminal in the sight of Allah the Exalted, and will be punished. Remember, there is a function of the heart, but it has no effect until there is a definitive resolve to act upon it. Question— [Regarding] people who engage in battles and kill, is such killing a sin of theirs or not? 1. Al- H akam, vol. 9, no. 35, p. 3, dated 10 October 1905