Understanding the Quranic Principle: Good Deeds Expiate Evil Deeds
The Words of Allah: “Verily, Good Deeds Remove Evil Deeds”:
‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud (رضي الله عنه) narrated a man kissed a woman, and then he came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and told him. Then it was revealed, “And perform as-salat, at the two ends of the day and in some hours of the night. Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds. That is a reminder for the mindful.” (11:114) The man asked, “Is that just for me, O Messenger of Allah?” He said: “It is for anyone who does that among my Ummah.”
[Sahih Muslim, The Book of Repentance, 2763 a]
Explanation
This man was a Muslim named Abu Yasir Ka’b ibn Amr. He went to the Prophet (ﷺ) and told him what he did.
“And perform as-salat…” Stand-you and your Ummah, O Muhammad-for the obligatory prayers.
“…at the two ends of the day…” At the beginning of the day and the end. Ibn ‘Abbas viewed these to be Fajr and Maghrib, Adh-Dhahhak believed they were Fajr and Asr, and Muqatil held they referred to Fajr and Dhuhr.
“…and in some hours of the night.” During the first part of the night that immediately follows the day, i.e, Maghrib. Additionally included is Isha, the last part of the night that immediately precedes the day.
“Verily, good deeds remove evil deeds.” Good deeds are an expiation for minor sins. If a person commits minor sins and does good deeds, these actions remove those minor sins. This ruling isn’t extended to the major sins. It has been proven that only the minor sins are expiated by good deeds.
Allah says, “If you avoid the great sins which you are forbidden, We shall remit from you your (small) sins.” (An-Nisa’:31) An-Nawawi (May Allah have mercy on him) said, “Allah says, ‘Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds.’ The scholars differ about the meaning of good deeds. Ath-Tha’labi said most of the people interpret good deeds to refer to the five daily obligatory prayers. Mujahid said good deeds are “Subhan’Allah, Alhamdulilah, La ilaha illAllah, Allahu akbar.”
“That is a reminder for the mindful.” This verse appeals to a person’s conscience as a warning.
“The man said, ‘Is that just for me, O Messenger of Allah?’ He said, ‘It is for anyone who does that among my Ummah.’” The man asked if this was specifically for him and the Prophet (ﷺ) informed him this was for his entire Ummah until the day of Judgment. Thus, bad deeds are erased by good deeds.