such inclination is a general category encompassing “two types.” As Imam Ahmad said, “Inclination is of two kinds: passing thoughts and settled resolve.” It is established in an authentic report from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace:

“When a servant contemplates an evil deed, it is not recorded against him. If he abandons it for Allah’s sake, a good deed is recorded for him. If he commits it, only one evil deed is recorded against him.”

If he abandons it for some reason other than Allah’s sake, neither a good deed nor an evil deed is recorded for him. Joseph, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, experienced an inclination that he abandoned for Allah’s sake. Allah therefore turned evil and indecency away from him because of his sincerity. This occurs only when the impulse to sin—namely, the inclination—is present, but is opposed by sincerity, which causes the heart to turn away from sin for Allah’s sake. Thus, Joseph, peace be upon him, did nothing but a good deed for which he is rewarded.

Allah Most High says:

“Indeed, when those who fear Allah are touched by an impulse from Satan, they remember Him, and at once they see clearly.”

As for the reports that he loosened his trousers, sat with her in the position a man takes with a woman, saw an image of Jacob biting his hand, and similar accounts, none of this was related by Allah or His Messenger. Whatever has not been related by them has merely been taken from the Jews, who are among those who lie most grievously about the prophets and disparage them. Every Muslim who transmitted such accounts took them from the Jews; no one transmitted a single word of this from our Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.