The Hadith

Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) reported that the Messenger of Allah said regarding what he narrates from his Lord:

“Indeed Allah has written down the good deeds and the bad deeds.

Then He explained that whoever intends a good deed but does not perform it, Allah records it as a complete good deed.

If he intends it and performs it, Allah records it as ten good deeds up to seven hundred times, and even more than that.

If he intends a bad deed but does not do it, Allah records it as a complete good deed.

If he intends it and then performs it, Allah records it as a single bad deed.”  

Reference

Reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim.  

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Explanation (From Shaykh Salih al-Fawzan)

In this hadith the Prophet narrates from his Lord, so it is considered a hadith qudsi.  

Allah explained that deeds are recorded according to intention and action.  

If a person intends to perform a good deed but does not perform it, Allah records it for him as a complete good deed.  

If he intends a good deed and then performs it, the reward is multiplied from ten times up to seven hundred times or even more.  

If a person intends a bad deed but leaves it out of fear of Allah, Allah records it as a complete good deed for him.

If he intends the bad deed and then performs it, it is written as a single bad deed.  

This hadith shows the great mercy of Allah toward His servants, because good deeds are multiplied while bad deeds are recorded only once.  

References

The Explanation of Imam an-Nawawi’s 40 Hadith: Shaykh Salih al-Fawzan. Dar Makkah International.

Verified on 2026-10-21 against: The Explanation of Imam an-Nawawi’s 40 Hadith (Shaykh Salih al-Fawzan), Hadith 37.