Most of the commentators have misunderstood the significance of the verse.

Most of the commentators have misunderstood the significance of the verse. They have thought that it is said that man will be asked about even a passing notion that invades the mind, even if it has not settled therein and even when it is beyond the control of a man. Holding a man responsible for such fleeting notions is, without doubt, imposing a duty beyond the limit of one’s ability. From this point on, these commentators have differed among themselves.

a) Some have admitted that Allah might impose on a soul a duty beyond its furthest limit. Others have tried to escape from this difficulty in various ways. b) Some have accepted that the verse ordained for man what was in fact a duty beyond his ability. But, they claimed, it was abrogated by the sentence in the next verse: “Allah does not impose upon any soul a duty but to the extent of its ability”.

Comment: It has been clearly shown that the verse does not include such transitory ideas and notions. Therefore, the whole argument and interpretation is out of place. Moreover, imposing a duty beyond one’s ability is, ab initio, against reason; Allah cannot do so even for a single moment. He has declared that He never ordained anything in religion beyond our ability:... and (He) did not lay upon you any hardship in religion (22:78).

c) Some others said that the verse was connected with the preceding one, and that it speaks particularly about the hiding of testimony. Comment: This restriction of meaning is clearly against the general nature of the verse. d) Still others have said that it was restricted to the unbelievers. Only they shall be called to account for their fleeting fantasies. Comment: This restriction too is against the generality of the verse.

e) Someone else has interpreted the verse in this way : If you manifest your hidden evil by committing transgression openly, or if you keep it hidden by committing sins secretly, in both cases Allah will call you to account for it. According to this interpretation, the chastisement shall be, not for the ideas, but for the sins. Comment: Such interpretation is totally against the apparent and clear meaning of the verse.

f) Yet others have said that “what is in your souls” means any kind of idea, whether fixed or otherwise. But “Allah will call you to account for it” means “Allah will inform you of it”. According to this interpretation, the verse is similar to the verse: . . . so He will inform you of what you did (5:105).