What is the ruling on someone who committed fornication for about nine years and then repented, and who used to drink alcohol and smoke hashish and now drinks beer and smokes cigarettes, and misses some of his obligatory prayers? How can he expiate his sin, and what is the method of advising him to draw closer to Allah, and how can he stop excessively swearing by Allah, truthfully or falsely, under the pretext of a "white lie"?

Adultery, consuming hashish, beer, and cigarettes, and neglecting prayers are all forbidden acts. One must repent from them, and whoever repents, Allah will accept his repentance. It is not a condition for the implementation of the hudud punishment that the matter reaches the ruler, and it is better to conceal one's sins. As for swearing falsely, it is forbidden, and one must repent from it and offer expiation for a broken oath according to some scholars. There is no such thing as a "white lie."

To reform this person, we advise offering him sincere counsel, explaining the prohibition of what he is doing, providing him with pamphlets or tapes that address these issues, seeking the help of righteous people to guide him, and supplicating for his guidance.