Does Hajj expiate major sins?

Question : Honorable Shaykh! It is well known that the pilgrim returns from his Hajj as pure as the day his mother gave birth to him, by the permission of Allah. Does this mean that Hajj expiates all major sins?

Answer : Yes, the apparent meaning of the hadith is that Hajj expiates all sins. But what is Hajj, my brothers? Hajj is not simply going to Makkah, circumambulating the Ka'bah, performing the sa'y, and going to Mina, Muzdalifah, and 'Arafah, while one's heart does not feel that he is in worship. Many people today—and I do not say most people—go to Hajj as if they are on a leisure trip, and they go to 'Umrah as if they are on a leisure trip. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) said, "Whoever performs Hajj and does not commit lewdness or do evil..." This negation that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) made a condition is difficult.
So do not think that merely going to Makkah, circumambulating, performing the sa'y, and going to 'Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina means you have performed the Hajj by which Allah expiates every sin. Your Hajj must be sincere to Allah and you must follow the example of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). As for prayer now, my brothers, did not Allah the Exalted say in ? So, is there any one of us who, when he prays, feels the strength of his faith, his hatred of lewdness, and his hatred of what is wrong? This is few, and praise be to Allah, there are those whose prayer increases their light, faith, certainty, and modesty before Allah Mighty and Majestic, so they stop doing lewdness and what is wrong. But many people do not get this. Did not the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) say, avoiding major sins? And if a person prays in the manner we mentioned, and the effect of the prayer does not appear on him, are his prayers expiatory? Allah knows best. So I say to my brothers: it is obligatory that when we go to Hajj, we be sincere to Allah and follow the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him and his family), and that we do not harm anyone, and that we strive to help our brothers who need help.
It is obligatory that when we go to Hajj, we be sincere to Allah and follow the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him and his family), and that we do not harm anyone, and that we strive to help our brothers who need help.