What is the ruling on refusing to spend money one has thought about spending, and does this fall within the domain of disbelief (kufr) and polytheism (shirk), and is it obligatory to spend this money for the noble prophetic tradition to apply: "Indeed, Allah has forgiven my Ummah for what they think about, as long as they do not speak of it or act upon it"?

You are afflicted with obsessive whispers (waswasah), and everything you imagine to be disbelief (kufr) or polytheism (shirk) is merely an illusion from Satan. You are not obligated to carry out the thoughts that occur to you regarding acts of obedience, so prayer and charity are not incumbent upon you merely by intention or thoughts. Striving against oneself in acts of obedience is good, and whoever abandons a recommended act is neither a disbeliever nor a sinner. One only sins by abandoning an obligatory act or committing a forbidden act, without becoming a disbeliever. Fear Allah and turn away from these whispers. There is no blame upon you if you keep the money you intended to donate, and you are not required to perform a prayer in عوضًا عن ذلك. It is not polytheism if you pray; rather, it is a good deed. You are not obligated to say, "We hear and we obey," for every thought, and you will not become a disbeliever by refraining from doing what you intended. Self-talk is forgiven as a mercy from Allah, for Allah holds one accountable for what is spoken or acted upon by the limbs.