Is fleeing from the battlefield—which is a major sin—forgiven merely by saying, "I seek forgiveness from Allah, the Most High, the Magnificent, the One besides Whom there is no god, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer, and I repent to Him"? And does this supplication expiate other major sins?

This Hadith, narrated by Abu Dawud and Al-Tirmidhi, and authenticated by Al-Hakim, has been a subject of scholarly disagreement regarding the interpretation of its apparent meaning, which suggests that this remembrance expiates major sins. Some scholars are of the view that this remembrance expiates major sins, except those related to the rights of human beings, adducing as evidence that "fleeing from the battlefield," which is a major sin, is forgiven through this remembrance. Others hold the view that this remembrance expiates only minor sins, even if the one who recites it has committed a major sin, and that committing a major sin does not prevent the expiation of minor ones. There are also those who believe that the promise associated with this remembrance is conditioned upon sincere repentance and the fulfillment of its conditions. Regardless of the difference in opinion, this Hadith is among the greatest Hadiths highlighting the virtue of seeking forgiveness, and one should persistently recite it while striving to fulfill the conditions of repentance.