Does charity erase sin, even if it is a major sin like adultery, as stated in the hadith: "Charity erases sin"?

Scholars have differed regarding the hadiths that address the expiation of sins, whether they include minor sins only or major sins as well, holding two views:

1. First: That they expiate minor sins only. This is the view of the majority, who cite as evidence the hadith: "The five daily prayers, and Friday prayer to Friday prayer, and Ramadan to Ramadan, are expiations for what is between them, provided that major sins are avoided." They hold that major sins are not forgiven except through repentance or by Allah's grace and mercy.

2. Second: That they expiate both minor and major sins. This view was supported by Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, who based his argument on several points, including: That the condition of avoiding major sins applies to obligatory acts, whereas supererogatory acts have a different reward. The existence of explicit hadiths indicating the forgiveness of sins despite the commission of major sins, such as the hadith: "He is forgiven even if he fled from the battlefield." That the statement made to the people of Badr, "Do what you wish, for I have forgiven you," does not pertain only to minor sins; otherwise, there would be no difference between them and others. That supererogatory acts complete the deficiencies of obligatory acts on the Day of Judgment, and this deficiency might be due to major sins.