What is the difference between belief (i'tiqad) and inner thoughts (hadith al-nafs)?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Oct 24, 2026
Belief (I'tiqad) is what the heart firmly assents to, derived from the word 'aqd, which means to tie and bind strongly. Correct Islamic belief is what a person professes to Allah from what the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, brought. Anything that contradicts it is a corrupt belief. As for inner thoughts ( al-nafs), they are what pass through one's mind without belief or settlement, and Allah has overlooked them as long as they are not acted upon or spoken.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 116924
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy