Whoever abandons 'Ar-Rafth' and all acts of disobedience during Hajj, will have his sins forgiven
Question :
A Hadith has been reported which states:
"Whoever performs Hajj and he does not have sexual relations (with his wife) or commit sins, he will return (after Hajj) like the day that his mother gave birth to him (i.e., without sin)."
Based upon this Hadith, is the Hajj considered the expiation for all of the sins and evil deeds that the person did before the Hajj?
Answer:
This Hadith is among the most authentic Hadiths from the Messenger of Allâh. It contains good news for the believer if he performs the Hajj in the mentioned manner. For verily, Allâh will forgive all of his sins, because when he abandons sexual intercourse and sins, he has indeed made sincere repentance, and the person who repents is promised forgiveness. Ar-Rafth' is sexual intercourse while in the state of Ihram and whatever leads to sexual intercourse of statements and actions. Al-Fusuq' is all acts of disobedience (i.e., sins). Therefore, whoever abandons Ar-Rafth and all sinful acts of disobedience during his Hajj, his sins are forgiven. Al-Fusuq also includes persisting in disobedient sins. Whoever persists in his sin, then he has not abandoned Al-Fusuq. Therefore, this promise is not fulfilled for him. This Hadith is like the Prophet's statement in another Hadith:
"The Mabrur Hajj has no reward other than Paradise."
It is Mabrur when a person perfects the performance of the obligations, abandons the sinful acts of disobedience and does not persist in any of them. Hence, it is obligatory upon the believer, whether he is a Hajj pilgrim or not, to avoid all of the sinful acts of disobedience and make haste in repentance to Allâh from them. He must abandon them and be truly determined not to repeat them due to honoring Allâh and desiring what is with Him.
From the perfection of repentance if it is concerning the right of the creation (i.e., another person) is that he (the transgressor) gives him his right or seeks to free himself from any obligation owed to him. Allâh said:
"And all of you repent to Allah, O believers, so that perhaps you may be successful."
And He said:
"O you who believe, repent to Allah with sincere repentance. Perhaps your Lord will expiate your sins from you and enter you into Gardens with rivers flowing beneath them."
Thus, whoever sincerely repents, has succeeded and Allâh will expiate his sins and enter him into Paradise. We ask Allâh to help the Muslims among the Hajj pilgrims, and others as well, to make sincere repentance and stand firmly upon the truth.
Verily, He is All-Hearing and Most Near.
Source:
Ash-Shaykh Ibn Baz
Fatawa Islamiyah, Vol. 4 Pages 40-41-42