مسند امام احمد بن حنبل · Hadith 4291

It was narrated that 'Abdullah bin Mas'ood said: A man came to the Prophet (PBUH) and said: O Prophet of Allah, I met a woman in a garden and I did everything with her except that I did not have intercourse with her; I kissed her and embraced her, but i did not do anything else; do with me whatever you will. The Prophet did not say anything to him and the man went away. Then 'Umar said: Allah would have concealed him, if he had concealed himself. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) watched him leave, then he said: Bring him back to me. So they brought him back to him, and he recited to him: "And perform As- Salat (Iqamatas-Salat), at the two ends of the day and in some hours of the night [i.e. the five compulsory Salat (prayers)]. Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds (i.e. small sins). That is a reminder (an advice) for the mindful (those who accept advice)" [Hood 11:114]. Mu'adh bin Jabal said: Is it only for him, or is it for all the people, O Prophet of Allah? He said: "Rather it is for all the people."

Translated by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan · Reviewed by Islamic University of Madinah · Published March 2020