Question

Assalamu alaykum,

I know there are many hadith on the subject which seem to indicate it covering all Muslims, but I also know that it could be a mistake to interpret a hadith at face value without an alim’s commentary, so I just wanted to ask to be sure.

Is it possible for every single Muslim get some of their minor sins expiated because of their sufferings in this world? Even Muslims who commit major sins?

E.g. if one of your relatives is a Muslim man who frequently drinks (they are knowingly sinful, not denying, they do not deny it is haram), would they also get some expiation for their minor sins when they suffer in this world, or does their major sin block that possibility entirely, so their suffering does not expiate anything? And is the view on this matter unanimous or are their differing views? Is it appropriate to quote the hadith to comfort them for their suffering and say ‘at least your sufferings may expiate your minor sins’?

Obviously, we cannot guarantee any sin being forgiven for anything as that relies entirely on the mercy and judgement of Allah Ta’ala, but I would just like to know the general understanding in regards to this principle.

May Allah be pleased with you,

Answer

The hadiths in this regard are general and do not differentiate an open sinner to other Muslims. Hence, sufferings in this world can expiate minor sins of all believers. Major sins will require repentance in order for them to be forgiven.

 أبي سعيد وأبي هريرة ـ رضي الله عنهما ـ عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: ما يصيب المسلم من نصب ولا وصب ولا هم ولا حزن ولا أذى ولا غم حتى الشوكة يشاكها إلا كفر الله بها من خطاياه. متفق عليه

قال: أجل ذلك كذلك، ما من مسلم يصيبه أذى: شوكة فما فوقها ـ إلا كفر الله بها سيئاته وحطت عنه ذنوبه كما تحط الشجرة ورقها. متفق عليه.

 قال في مرعاة المفاتيح في شرح قوله صلى الله عليه وسلم: إلا كفر الله بها من خطاياه ـ ما لفظه: ظاهره تعميم جميع الذنوب, لكن الجمهور خصوا ذلك بالصغائر، لحديث: الصلوات الخمس والجمعة إلى الجمعة ورمضان إلى رمضان كفارات لما بينهن ما اجتنبت الكبائر ـ فحملوا المطلقات الواردة في التكفير على هذا المقيد, كذا في الفتح. انتهى

شرح النووي على مسلم (3/ 112)
كَانَتْ كَفَّارَةً لِمَا قَبْلَهَا مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ مَا لَمْ يُؤْتَ كَبِيرَةٌ وَذَلِكَ الدَّهْرَ كُلَّهُ) مَعْنَاهُ أَنَّ الذُّنُوبَ كُلَّهَا تُغْفَرُ إِلَّا الْكَبَائِرَ فَإِنَّهَا لَا تُغْفَرُ وَلَيْسَ الْمُرَادُ أَنَّ الذُّنُوبَ تُغْفَرُ مالم تكن كبيرة فان كانت لا يغفر شئ مِنَ الصَّغَائِرِ فَإِنَّ هَذَا وَإِنْ كَانَ مُحْتَمَلًا فَسِيَاقُ الْأَحَادِيثِ يَأْبَاهُ قَالَ الْقَاضِي عِيَاضٌ هَذَا الْمَذْكُورُ فِي الْحَدِيثِ مِنْ غُفْرَانِ الذُّنُوبِ مَا لَمْ تُؤْتَ كَبِيرَةٌ هُوَ مَذْهَبُ أَهْلِ السُّنَّةِ وَأَنَّ الْكَبَائِرَ إِنَّمَا تُكَفِّرُهَا التَّوْبَةُ أَوْ رَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى وَفَضْلُهُ وَاللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ

Answered by:
Ifta Research Fellow

Checked & Approved by:
Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
Mufti Zubair Patel