good deeds are recorded for him. When he intends an evil deed, it is not recorded against him; if he performs it, one evil deed is recorded against him. If he leaves it for Allah’s sake, it is recorded as a good deed.”
Thus, the angel knows what good or evil deed the servant intends. This does not mean that the angels possess the knowledge of the unseen that belongs exclusively to Allah. It is reported from Ibn ʿUyaynah that they smell a pleasant fragrance and know that the person has intended a good deed, and smell a foul odour and know that he has intended an evil deed. Yet even if they smell pleasant and foul odours, their knowledge does not depend on this. Rather, they know what is in the human heart; indeed, they see it and hear the soul’s whisperings. Satan even takes the person’s heart into his mouth: when Allah is remembered, he withdraws, and when the heart becomes heedless of remembering Him, he whispers. Satan knows whether the person remembers Allah or neglects His remembrance, and he knows the misguided desires that his soul craves, so he makes them attractive to him.
It is established in the Sahīh, in the hadith mentioning Safiyyah, may Allah be pleased with her, that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:
“Satan flows through the son of Adam as blood flows.”
The nearness of the angels and Satan to the human heart is attested by mass-transmitted reports, whether the servant is a believer or an unbeliever. But the notion that the Lord’s very essence is in the heart of every person, unbeliever or believer, is false. None of the early generations of this Ummah said this, nor is it stated in the Book or the Sunnah. Rather, the Book, the Sunnah, the consensus of the early generations, and reason all contradict it.
Thus, when Allah, glorified be He, mentioned His nearness to those who call upon Him and worship Him, He said:
“When My servants ask you about Me, I am indeed near. I respond to the call of the supplicant when he calls upon Me.”
Here, it is He Himself, glorified be He