Will a Muslim be completely free of sins if he observes prayers, remembrances (adhkar), recitation of the Quran, and fasting, and avoids major sins, given that prayers expiate what is between them and saying "Subhan Allah wa bihamdihi" (Glorified is Allah and praised be He) one hundred times pardons sins?

The reason for the problem regarding the expiation of sins through good deeds is the misconception that merely performing a deed in any manner is sufficient for expiation. This is a mistake, for the deed that expiates sins is one that is performed in the required manner, outwardly and inwardly, and is free from defects such as ostentation and heedlessness. The completeness of expiation depends on the completeness of the deed, and an imperfect deed expiates sins imperfectly.

Ibn al-Qayyim said: "A prayer without humility and presence is like a dead body with no soul in it," so Allah the Almighty does not accept it. Therefore, "a servant gains nothing from their prayer except what they comprehend from it," and all deeds follow this same principle.

The superiority of deeds in the sight of Allah is determined by the superiority of faith and sincerity in the hearts. This perfect deed is what fully expiates sins.

This clarifies issues such as how fasting on the Day of Arafah and the Day of Ashura can expiate sins for consecutive years. For a deed that is conditioned upon certain requirements is contingent on the absence of impediments.

The combination of factors for expiating sins is stronger and more complete. Thus, fasting Ramadan and the five daily prayers are greater than fasting Arafah and Ashura, and they expiate sins committed between them "if major sins are avoided." Ibn al-Qayyim said: "How can the fast of a voluntary day expiate every major sin committed by a servant who persists in them, not having repented from them? This is impossible."

Many people mistakenly believe that sins are only about committing prohibitions, whereas shortcomings in performing obligations are also sins that require repentance.

Good deeds only expiate minor sins, according to the majority of scholars, while major sins require repentance.