Dhul-Hijjah Benefit #8

Can Good Deeds Expiate Major Sins? There are three main opinions on this issue: 1️⃣ Good deeds only expiate minor sins. As for major sins, they are only expiated through sincere repentance. This is the view of the majority of scholars. 2️⃣ Good deeds expiate all sins, both minor and major. This is the view of Ibn al-Mundhir, Ibn Hazm, and others. 3️⃣ Good deeds can expiate major sins if they are accompanied by a high level of sincerity. This is the view of Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, Ibn Wl-Qayyim, and Ibn Hajar. While explaining the statement of the Prophet ﷺ that fasting on the Day of ‘Arafah expiates two years’ worth of sins [reported by Muslim on the authority of Abu Qatadah], in one of his Bulugh Al-Maram classes, Shaykh Abu Bilal hafidhahullah discussed this issue. He — may Allah preserve him — concluded that the third opinion (the view of Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, Ibn Al-Qayyim, and Ibn Hajar) is the strongest of the three, based on the following hadith: On the authority of Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet ﷺ said: ((أن امرأة بغياً رأت كلباً في يوم حار يطيف ببئر، قد أدلع لسانه من العطش، فنزعت له بموقها فغفر لها)) “A prostitute saw a dog circling around a well on a hot day, hanging out its tongue from thirst. She drew water for it using her shoe, and because of that, she was forgiven.” [Reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim] Point of Evidence: Ibn Al-Qayyim rahimahullah said: “This was due to what took place in the prostitute’s heart when she saw that dog suffering from intense thirst. She had no equipment, no helper, and no one around to witness her deed. Yet she was moved to climb down into the well, risking her own safety, fill her leather sock (khuff) with water, and hold it in her mouth while climbing back out. Then she humbled herself before this creature — which people usually mistreat — by holding the water for it to drink from, seeking neither reward nor praise from anyone. So the radiance of this sincere tawhid burned away the sin of prostitution.” [Madarij As-Salikin (1/332)] Similarly, Shaykh Al-Islam rahimahullah said: “It should not be said that every prostitute who gives water to a dog will be forgiven. Rather, this particular woman possessed such devotion, sincerity, and mercy toward Allah’s creation that it outweighed the sin of prostitution and even more, which is why she was forgiven. Forgiveness occurs according to what exists in the heart of iman, the true reality of which is known only to Allah. This opens the door to good deeds and encourages the servant to perform them and similar acts, all while maintaining a balance between fear and hope.” [Mukhtasar Al-Fatawa Al-Misriyyah, p. 261] He also said: “Likewise is the case of the man who removed a thorny branch from the road and was forgiven because of it. Deeds vary in virtue according to what exists in the heart of iman and sincerity. This is why two men may stand in the same prayer row, yet the difference in reward between them is like the distance between the heavens and the earth.” [Minhaj al-Sunnah (6/135)] He also said: “It is not the case that every good deed wipes away every sin. Rather, expiation may apply to minor sins at times and major sins at other times, depending on the balance. A person may perform a deed with such complete sincerity and servitude that even major sins are forgiven.” [Minhaj al-Sunnah (6/136)] https://t.me/madrasatunaa/271