[Article] Q: Does fasting expiate both minor and major sins committed by a Muslim? Is the sin of an evil action committed in Ramadan augmented?

Fatwas of Ibn Baz (رحمه الله)

Sins are multiplied in a sacred place or time in terms of quality not quantity

Q: Does fasting expiate both minor and major sins committed by a Muslim? Is the sin of an evil action committed in Ramadan augmented?

A: What is prescribed for a Muslim in Ramadan, and in other times, is to strive against his self that is inclined towards evil until it becomes tranquil and inclined towards goodness.

(Part No. 15; Page No. 447)

Muslims must fight against the enemy of Allah, Satan, until they are safe from his evil and his whispers. In this world, the Muslims are engaged in a great ongoing struggle against their selves, their desires, and Satan. Therefore, they must repent often and pray for forgiveness at all times. However, times vary one from another. So, Ramadan is the best month of the year, for it is the month of forgiveness, mercy, and salvation from the Fire. If the month is special and the place is special, the rewards for good deeds performed therein are multiplied and the recompense for misdeeds is also multiplied. An evil deed done in Ramadan is more heinous than one done at any other time, just as an act of worship done in Ramadan brings a greater reward from Allah than the one done at any other time. As Ramadan has such a great status, an act of worship done during this month is especially rewarded and its reward is greatly multiplied, while a sin committed during this month is worse and more grievous than a sin committed at any other time. Hence, the Muslim has to make use of this blessed month by performing acts of worship and righteous deeds, and refraining from bad deeds, so that Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) may bless him by accepting his good deeds and help him remain steadfast in adhering to the Truth. But a bad deed receives only one sin and is not multiplied in terms of quantity, either in Ramadan or at other times. On the other hand, the reward for a good deed may be multiplied tenfold or more. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) states in Surah Al-An`am: Whoever brings a good deed (Islâmic Monotheism and deeds of obedience to Allâh and His Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم) shall have ten times the like thereof to his credit, and whoever brings an evil deed (polytheism, disbelief, hypocrisy, and deeds of disobedience to Allâh and His Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم) shall have only the recompense of the like thereof, and they will not be wronged. There are

 (Part No. 15; Page No. 448)

many Qur'anic verses in this regard. Similarly in special places, such as Al-Haramayn Al-Sharifayn (the Two Sacred Mosques: the Sacred Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah), good deeds are multiplied greatly in quantity and quality, while evil deeds are multiplied in quality, but not in quantity, when done at special times or in special places, as is referred to above. May Allah grant us success.

Source: Obligatory Sawm