This is how our deeds are being recorded

Allah (swt) has entrusted Angles to record all of our deeds, from a silent whisper to the most audacious act, every single thing we do is recorded in our book of deeds. On the Day of Judgment, Allah will bring forth this book for us to read. Whoever receives his Book on the right hand is considered fortunate. This is because his good deeds outweigh the bad. And as for him who receives the book of deeds from behind his back, he cries out woe unto himself because he certainly knows he’s set for doom.

The Recording of Good Deeds

There are three scenarios with regard to recording the good deed: 1, Good deeds actually performed. 2, Good intentions. 3, Good deeds intended but not performed.

 Good Deeds: This is clear; angels will record the good deed

 Good Intentions: Intending to do a good deed is also recorded in a person’s favor.

But a reward is given for only the intention and not necessarily the action intended. This is based on the hadith of a rich man who spends his wealth in charity and a poor man who says, “If I had wealth, I would do what he does.” About these two, the prophet (pbuh) said: “He is rewarded for his intention, and the reward is the same for both.”

Good Deeds Intended but Not Performed: The third type of rewarded behavior which a person may find written in his book of deeds is the actions he may sincerely intend to do but did not actually do them. The difference between this type and the second is that for these intentions, he does receive a reward for the action itself. These are the deeds that an individual may intend to do and perhaps he does as much as he is able to of such deed. Then something prevents him from completing the deed. In such case, a full good deed will be recorded based on the statement of Allah: “And whoever leaves his home as an emigrant to Allah and his messenger and then death overtakes him, his reward has already become incumbent upon Allah.”

Even if a person has a habit of performing a particular good deed but for some reason he is unable to do it under certain circumstances, he still has the good deed recorded for him. The prophet (pbuh) said: “When a servant becomes sick or travels, whatever he used to do while residing at home or healthy will still be recorded for him. “

The Recording of Bad Deeds

Regarding the bad deeds, angles will record them in one of three scenarios: 1, if you actually do that bad deed. 2, if you form the intention and hope to do that bad deed. 3, if you form the intention and try to do it but for some reason you are unable to.

Bad Deeds: This is clear, if you do a bad deed, angles will record it against you.

Bad Intentions:  Sins an individual intends or hopes to do are also written against him. But like good intentions, he has a bad deed recorded for the intention and not a full bad deed for the action intended. The prophet (pbuh) spoke about a person Allah had provided wealth but no knowledge so that he aimlessly wasted his wealth. A person Allah had given neither wealth nor knowledge then said, “If I had wealth, I would do what he does,” admiring the former’s wasteful spending. So the prophet (pbuh) said: He is recorded for his intention, and the sin is the same for both of them.

What if you intend to do a bad deed but then refrain from doing it?

*if you refrain from doing it because you are unable to do it but you tired, so you are just like the person who actually did the bad deed,

*if you refrain from doing the bad deed for the sake of Allah, then not only angles will not record this bad deed but also you will be rewarded

*If you simply decide not to do it (but not for the sake of Allah) or even if committing the deed did not seriously cross your mind, then you have neither sin nor reward written for you.

To conclude, it is of Allah’s mercy that He (swt)  rewards good deeds with rewards greater than the original good deed, but He recompenses a bad deed only equivalent to the original sin; He (swt) says:

“Whoever comes (on the Day of Judgment) with a good deed will have ten times the like thereof, and whoever comes with an evil deed will not be recompensed except the like thereof, and they will not be wronged.”