Importance of Motivation

A young man who wants to commit zina

Importance of Motivation

A young man asked Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) for permission to commit adultery.

The Sahaaba (RA) drew near and scolded him? Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) called him towards himself and said, “sit down”. When he sat, Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) asked him, “would you like this act for your mother?”. He said, “no, never, O Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), may Allah sacrifice me on you”. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said to him, “then think, how will someone else like it (for his mother)?”. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) again asked him , “do you like it for your daughter?”. He rejected it also with the same emphasis. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “similarly nobody likes it for their daughters”. So, “do you like it for your sister?”. He again rejected it the same way. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “similarly, nobody likes it for their sisters”. Now, would you like if someone does this with you paternal aunt?”. He again rejected it firmly. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “similarly no one likes it for his aunt”. “Would you like it for your maternal aunt?”. He again rejected it firmly.

Then Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) put his blessed hand on his head and invoked, “O Allah! Forgive his sin, and purify his heart, and make him chaste”. After this, the condition of this young man became such that he never looked up at anything”. (Musnad Ahmad)