In the hadith: (It would be better for one of you to be stabbed in the head with an iron nail than to touch the hand of a woman [who is not permissible for him]). This indicates that it is a major sin, and kissing is even greater than that, yet prayer expiates it.
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The questioner : The saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): And in the other hadith: Do these two hadiths, O Shaykh, indicate that it is among the major sins? Kissing is greater.
The Shaykh : This contradicts what we mentioned:, and if it were a major sin, prayer would not have expiated it.
The questioner : But O Shaykh, perhaps he combined repentance with it.
The Shaykh : How?
The questioner : He combined repentance with the prayer, in the case of the man.
The Shaykh : What?
The questioner : He repented.
The Shaykh : No, no. If he had repented, there would be no issue. And Allah (Mighty and Majestic) said:[Hud 11:114] He came asking.
As for if he was repentant, we can say...
The hand commits zina, and its zina is touching.
واليد تزني وزناها البطشIt would be easier for Allah if one of you were struck in the head with a thorn and it came out, than to touch the hand of a woman who is not permissible for him.
لئن يضرب برأس أحدكم بمخيط فيخرج منه أهون عند الله من أن يمس يد امرأة لا تحل لهThe Shaykh : This contradicts what we mentioned:
provided that major sins are avoided
ما اجتنبت الكبائرThe questioner : But O Shaykh, perhaps he combined repentance with it.
The Shaykh : How?
The questioner : He combined repentance with the prayer, in the case of the man.
The Shaykh : What?
The questioner : He repented.
The Shaykh : No, no. If he had repented, there would be no issue. And Allah (Mighty and Majestic) said:
Indeed, good deeds do away with misdeeds
إن الحسنات يذهبن السيئاتAs for if he was repentant, we can say...