Meaning Of Sahih Muslim (Hadith# 7207 / 2865)?
What kind of habitual evil or sin does this narration refer to? Is it talking about gunah-e-kabira or gunah-e-saghira? And does it also include habits like addiction to nicotine or caffeine? Since these can become habitual and have harmful effects, would they also fall under this narration? Although, I haven’t really seen people quitting or giving up everything for nicotine or caffeine
The hadith does not apply to someone who struggles with intrusive sinful thoughts or feels spiritually weak. Those mentioned in the hadith are people who deliberately and consistently pursue sin without remorse. In contrast, feeling guilt, regret, and a desire to return to Allah are signs of a living heart and true faith. Intrusive thoughts, memories of past mistakes, and emotional weakness do not make a person sinful; they are tests. Allah forgives thoughts that are not acted upon. Satan tries to use past sins to create despair, but Allah commands believers not to lose hope in His mercy ( see Quran 39:53-54 ). To recover spiritually, a person should take small, consistent steps—such as starting from the fard prayers daily, making prayers whenever one gets a chance ( istaghfar etc ), and reading a little Quran at least once a week with understanding. They should avoid self-blame and remember that guilt is a sign of faith, not failure. Their past mistakes are lessons, not barriers, and Allah’s door remains open to them.