And Muslims are agreed on this: the Quran and Sunnah contain threats of punishment for those who commit major sins. However, Allah has made clear in His Book and His Messenger’s Sunnah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—that these threats do not apply to those who repent. He says:

“Say, ‘O My servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of Allah’s mercy. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins.’”

That is, for those who repent. In another verse, He says:

“Indeed, Allah does not forgive associating partners with Him, but He forgives anything less than that for whom He wills.”

This concerns those who have not repented. Associating partners with Allah is not forgiven, while anything less than that He forgives if He wills, or punishes if He wills.

In the two Sahīh collections, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, is reported to have said:

“No fatigue, illness, worry, distress, sorrow, or harm befalls a believer—even the prick of a thorn—without Allah thereby expiating some of his sins.”

Thus, when His saying, “Whoever does evil will be recompensed for it,” was revealed, Abū Bakr said, “O Messenger of Allah, this is a crushing blow! Which of us has not done evil?”

He replied, “O Abū Bakr, do you not grow weary? Do you not grieve? Do you not suffer hardship? That is part of the recompense you receive.”

Through worldly afflictions, Allah expiates those sins of a believer that such afflictions can expiate. The same applies to the good deeds he performs. Allah Most High says:

“Indeed, good deeds do away with evil deeds.”

And the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“The five daily prayers, from one Friday prayer to the next, and from one Ramadan to the next, expiate the sins committed between them, provided major sins are avoided.”

For Allah Most High does not wrong