Question: In Tirmidhi (1987), it is mentioned that doing a good deed after committing a sin will erase that sin. In light of this hadith, if a person harms someone, will doing a good deed erase that sin?
Answer: This hadith pertains to the rights of Allah (حقوق اللہ). If someone makes a mistake in matters related to Allah, doing a good deed can erase that mistake, provided it is a minor sin (گناہ صغیرہ). However, if someone commits a major sin (گناہ کبیرہ) in matters related to Allah, repentance is necessary for forgiveness. As for the rights of people (حقوق العباد), if someone wrongs another person, the sin will only be forgiven if the wrong is rectified with that person; otherwise, the sin will not be forgiven.
By Sheikh Maqbool Ahmad Salafi, Jeddah Dawah Center, Al-Salamah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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