One of the ways in which an individual can escape sins and disobedience is to repel evil thought from ones soul. This is because disobedience starts as a thought and develops into a desire.
Then it becomes an intention that grows within the heart of the servant. Then this intention changes into an evil will, then after this it develops into a determination that is linked to the action.
So it is best for a person to cut off these evil thoughts from the very beginning because if they are not eradicated from the very beginning they will increase and evolve from on thing into another, as we have mentioned.
It is easier for him to repel and conquer these thoughts and ideas while they are still merely thoughts existing in the mind, before they grow and evolve within his soul and become a strong intention or an evil will or determination to commit the sin and perpetrate it.
[Source: How to Escape Sins. The Ways and Means to Refrain From the Disobedience of Allah. Based on the words of Ibn Al-Qayyim]
ISLAM NOTTINGHAM 