Does fasting on the Day of Aashooraa expiate major sins or minor sins?

by Asma bint Shameem

ANSWER

It’s true that the Prophet ﷺ said:

“Fasting the day of ‘Aashooraa’ I hope Allaah will expiate thereby for the year that came before it.” (Saheeh Muslim 1162)

Fasting this day only expiates the minor sins.

It does not expiate the major sins.

Rather, we must make specific taubah for the major sins.

May Allaah forgive us.

🍃 Shaikh Saleh al-Fawzaan said regarding this issue:

“The expiation of the sins is specific for the minor sins.

As for the major sins, nothing expiates it except for making Tawbah.

This is based upon the statement of Allaah:

"If you abstain from the major sins that you have been prohibited from We will expiate from you your evil actions." (Soorah an-Nisaa: 31)

And bn Taymiyah said:

“The expiation of purification, prayer, and fasting Ramadhaan, ‘Arafah and ‘Aashooraa’ applies to MINOR sins only”

(Al-Fataawa al-Kubra, part 5)

In other words, a person has to think about the major sins he has committed in his life, REGRET them sincerely and specifically ask for forgiveness for each of them. 

🍃 That’s explained further when the Prophet ﷺ said:

“Jumu’ah to Jumu’ah, Ramadhaan to Ramadhaan and ‘Umrah to ‘Umrah are expiations for the sins practiced between them so long as the major sins are avoided.” (Saheeh Muslim)


🍃 And Allaah says:

“If you avoid the major sins which you are forbidden from practicing, We shall expiate your (small) sins, and admit you to a Noble Entrance (i.e. Paradise).” (an-Nisaa: 31)

So the major sins are expiated by taubah, and the minor sins are expiated by fasting the day of Aashooraa (and other days) and by doing other righteous deeds.

You see, sincere Taubah from a major sin has certain conditions that need to be fulfilled. 

Those conditions are:

1. Repentance must be done for Allaah Alone. 

One cannot make Taubah for some worldly benefit or reason.

2. The repenting person MUST feel remorse and regret for having done that act of disobedience. 

3. He should immediately stop his bad deed.

4. He should undo any wrong that he did towards another person.

For example, if he used to steal, he should give back the money he stole. 

5. He should make FIRM resolve not to continue that act if disobedience in the future. 

6. He should make Taubah before he starts feeling the pangs of death. 

That’s because Taubah is only accepted as long as the person is not dying or the sun has not risen from the west. 

🍃The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Whoever repents before the sun rises from the west, Allaah will accept his repentance.”

(Muslim 2703)

But that doesn’t mean that we belittle “minor” sins. ALL sins are extremely serious and taking minor sins casually is itself a major sin.

🍃 Abdullah ibn Mubarak said:  

“Many a big deed becomes small due to its intention, & many a small deed becomes big due to its intention......”

🍃 And the Prophet ﷺ said:

“Beware of minor sins, for they will pile up until they destroy a person.” 

(Ahmad; Saheeh al-Jaami).

Remember, no minor sin is minor if you persist, and no major sin is major if you keep on seeking forgiveness.

There is a very beautiful saying...."Do not think about whether the sin is major or minor; think about the Greatness of the One Whom you are disobeying."

Sure sins are dangerous, but belittling sins and taking them lightly is more dangerous than sinning itself. 

May Allaah forgive us and give us taufeeq to repent from all sins, major and minor.

And Allaah knows best.