How do we expiate our sins? - Part II 

4. Observing optional prayers at night and seeking forgiveness:

                Hudhaifah (May Allâh be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allâh (May Allâh exalt his mention, and peace be upon him) said:

يَنْزِلُ رَبُّنَا تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا حِينَ يَبْقَى ثُلُثُ اللَّيْلِ الْآخِرُ يَقُولُ مَنْ يَدْعُونِي فَأَسْتَجِيبَ لَهُ مَنْ يَسْأَلُنِي فَأُعْطِيَهُ مَنْ يَسْتَغْفِرُنِي فَأَغْفِرَ لَهُ

"Our Lord, the Blessed, the Superior, comes every night down on the nearest Heaven to us when the last third of the night remains, saying: "Is there anyone to invoke Me, so that I may respond to his invocation? Is there anyone to ask Me, so that I may grant him his request? Is there anyone seeking My Forgiveness, so that I may forgive him.”[1]

5. Charity:

                Hudhaifah (May Allâh be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allâh (May Allâh exalt his mention, and peace be upon him) said:

فِتْنَةُ الرَّجُلِ فِي أَهْلِهِ وَمَالِهِ وَجَارِهِ تُكَفِّرُهَا الصَّلَاةُ وَالصِّيَامُ وَالصَّدَقَةُ

“The trial of the man in his family, his wealth and his neighbor is expiated by prayers, fasting and charity.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari)

6. The manners of Friday (Jumu`ah Day)  

                Salman Al-Farisi (May Allâh be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allâh (May Allâh exalt his mention, and peace be upon him) said:

لَا يَغْتَسِلُ رَجُلٌ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ وَيَتَطَهَّرُ مَا اسْتَطَاعَ مِنْ طُهْرٍ وَيَدَّهِنُ مِنْ دُهْنِهِ أَوْ يَمَسُّ مِنْ طِيبِ بَيْتِهِ ثُمَّ يَخْرُجُ فَلَا يُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ اثْنَيْنِ ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي مَا كُتِبَ لَهُ ثُمَّ يُنْصِتُ إِذَا تَكَلَّمَ الْإِمَامُ إِلَّا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ الْجُمُعَةِ الْأُخْرَى

"If a man takes a bath on Friday, purifies himself thoroughly, uses the oil and perfume which is available in the house, then sets forth for the mosque, does not (forcibly) sit between two persons, offers the prayer that is prescribed for him then listens to the Imam silently, his sins between this Friday and the previous Friday will be forgiven.'' (Narrated by Al-Bukhari)

7. Observing fasting during the month of Ramadan:

Abu Hurairah (May Allâh be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allâh (May Allâh exalt his mention, and peace be upon him) said:

مَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ

"He who observes fasting during the month of Ramadan with Faith while seeking its reward from Allâh, will have his past sins forgiven.'' (Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

8. Observing optional prayers at night throughout Ramadhan:

Abu Hurairah (May Allâh be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allâh (May Allâh exalt his mention, and peace be upon him) said:

مَنْ قَامَ رَمَضَانَ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ

"He who observes optional prayers (Tarawih prayers) throughout Ramadan, out of sincerity of Faith and in the hope of earning reward, will have his past sins pardoned.'' (Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

9. Observing optional prayers at Night of Decree:

Abu Hurairah (May Allâh be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allâh (May Allâh exalt his mention, and peace be upon him) said:

مَنْ قَامَ لَيْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ

"He who observes optional prayers (Tarawih prayers) during Lailat-ul-Qadr (Night of Decree), out of sincerity of Faith and in the hope of earning reward will have his past sins pardoned.'' (Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

10. Observing fasting on the tenth day of Muharram (Ashuraa):

Abu Qatadah (May Allâh be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allâh (May Allâh exalt his mention, and peace be upon him) was asked about observing As-Saum (the fasting) on the tenth day of Muharram, he replied:

 يُكَفِّرَ السَّنَةَ الَّتِي قَبْلَهُ

"It is expiation for the sins of the preceding year.'' (Narrated by Muslim)

11. Umrah

Abu Hurairah (May Allâh be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allâh (May Allâh exalt his mention, and peace be upon him) said:

الْعُمْرَةُ إِلَى الْعُمْرَةِ كَفَّارَةٌ لِمَا بَيْنَهُمَا وَالْحَجُّ الْمَبْرُورُ لَيْسَ لَهُ جَزَاءٌ إِلَّا الْجَنَّةُ

"(The performance of) `Umrah is an expiation for the sins committed between it and the previous `Umrah; and the reward of Hajj Mabrur (i.e., accepted pilgrimage) is nothing but Paradise.'' (Narrated by Muslim)