Expiations for sins

Q: Allah (Exalted be He) says: Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds (i.e. small sins). There is also a Hadith about the man who kissed a woman... Etc., and the Hadith in which the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “If a Muslim performs Wudu’ (ablution), his sins come out with the water or with the last drop of water.” Do these Hadith mean that Wudu’, Salah (Prayer), recitation of the Qur’an, and Sadaqah (voluntary charity) are Kaffarah (expiations) for sins, such as looking at women and talking to them? I hope you will enlighten me about this.

A: Penances that erase sins are many and this is from Allah’s Mercy and Benevolence toward His servants. Although the religious texts mentioned above show that some good deeds can expiate sins, this does not mean that people can commit sins and follow lusts and persist in them under the pretext that the good deeds will wipe out the sins. This is not acceptable and none of the religious texts mentioned above give such a meaning. A Muslim is basically requested in Shari‘ah (Islamic law) to conform to the teachings of Islam and do what Allah has commanded and avoid what He has forbidden. If a Muslim commits a sin, they should hasten and make sincere Tawbah (repentance to Allah), give up the sin, regret committing it, and firmly resolve not to commit it again. By doing this and maintaining Wudu’, Salah, and good deeds, these good deeds will surmount their evil deeds and expiate them, provided that they shun major sins. This is because Allah (Glorified be He) says: If you avoid the great sins which you are forbidden to do, We shall expiate from you your (small) sins, and admit you to a Noble Entrance (i.e. Paradise). (Part No. 24; Page No. 362) Also, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The Five (Daily) Salah (Prayers), from one Jumu‘ah (Friday Prayer) to (the next) Jumu‘ah, and from one Ramadan to (the next) Ramadan, are Kaffarah (expiations) for whatever (sins) between them, provided that the major sins are avoided.” According to another narration: “Provided that the major sins are not committed.” (Related by Imam Muslim in his "Sahih [Book of Authentic Hadith]")May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.