Answered by: Mufti Muhammad Adnan
Question
Is it true that ALL the Ahadith which encourage to indulge in a particular virtue whether it’s dhikar, salah, fasting, sadaqah, visiting the sick, giving salaam or any other, and all your sins will be forgiven it ONLY refers to a minor, and not major?
It’s been said only sincere tawbah with the three, or four conditions will major sins be forgiven by the will of Allah of course.
So, if someone endlessly engages in such fadhaail as the Ahadith pertains to, but doesn’t bother to do exclusive tawbah for his list of major sins then Allah forgives otherwise in principle that person will die a faasiq?
In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
Answer
Generally, what is mentioned in the Qur’an and ahadith as means for forgiveness from sins refers to minor sins and major sins require repentance.
There are conditions for a valid tawba as mentioned by Imam Nawawi as follows:
- a) to refrain from the sin
- b) to regret having done it
- c) and to resolve never to commit again
If the repentance is connected with the rights of another human being, repentance has four conditions: the three mentioned above, plus clearing oneself of the obligation owed to the other person. If this obligation is property or the like, one must return it. If the person has the right to retaliate for murder or injury, then one must give oneself up to him or ask him to forgive him.
Only Allah Knows Best
Written by Mufti Muhammad Adnan
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham