Forgiveness of Sins in Ramadhaan

Question posed to Sheikh Saalih Al-Fawzaan حفظه الله تعالى: Q: May Allaah reward you, O virtuous Sheikh, regarding the saying of al-Mustafaa (the Prophet Muhammad) صلى الله عليه وسلم: "Whoever fasts Ramadhaan with sincere faith, and hoping to attain Allaah's reward, then all his past sins will be forgiven"[1] Are these sins inclusive of the major sins? A: The scholars of Islam have differed concerning this. The correct position is that it does not include the major sins. The major sins necessitate repentance. As for the minor sins, then he - صلى الله عليه وسلم - said (regarding them): "The five daily prayers, one jumu'ah prayer to (the next) jumu'ah prayer, one Ramadhaan to (the next) Ramadhaan are an expiation for whatever that was between them (of sins), as long as he (the person) avoids the major sins."[2] And Allaah عز وجل said: "If you avoid the major sins, which you are forbidden to do, We shall remit from you your (minor) sins." (4: 31) So it is clear from the proofs that only the minor sins are expiated by way of (performing) righteous actions. As for the major sins, then it is necessary to repent from them.[3] [1] Agreed upon by both al-Bukhari (2014) Muslim (760) [2] Reported by Muslim (233) [3] https://alfawzan.af.org.sa/ar/node/14891