Minor Sins Will be Pardoned if One Refrains from Major Sins

In the Name of Allaah, the Extremely Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

Allaah said,

﴿إِن تَجْتَنِبُواْ كَبَآئِرَ مَا تُنهَوْنَ عَنْهُ نُكَفِّرْ عَنْكُمْ سَيِّئَـتِكُمْ﴾

(If you avoid the great sins which you are forbidden to do, We shall remit from you your (small) sins,)

Al-Haafidh Ibn Katheer (rahimahullaah) said: Meaning, if you avoid the major evil deeds that you were prohibited We will forgive you the minor evil deeds and will admit you into Paradise. 

This is why Allaah said,

﴿وَنُدْخِلْكُمْ مُّدْخَلاً كَرِيماً﴾

(and admit you to a Noble Entrance (i.e. Paradise).)

There are several ahaadeeth on the subject of this honorable aayah. Imaam Ahmad recorded that Salman Al-Faarisee (radhiy’Allaahu `anhu) said,

"The Prophet (salla’Allaahu `alayhi wasallam) said to me, ‘Do you know what the day of Al-Jumu`ah is?’ I said, ‘It is the day during which Allah brought together the creation of your father (Aadam).’ He (salla’Allaahu `alayhi wasallam) said,

«لكِنْ أَدْرِي مَا يَوْمُ الْجُمُعَةِ، لَا يَتَطَهَّرُ الرَّجُلُ فَيُحْسِنُ طُهُورَهُ، ثُمَّ يَأْتِي الْجُمُعَةَ فَيُنْصِتُ حَتَّى يَقْضِيَ الْإمَامُ صَلَاتَهُ، إِلَّا كَانَ كَفَّارَةً لَهُ مَا بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ الْجُمُعَةِ الْمُقْبِلَةِ، مَا اجْتُنِبَتِ الْمَقْتَلَة»

(I know what the day of Jumu`ah is. Anyone who takes a bath and cleans himself as much as he can and then proceeds for the Friday prayer and remains quiet until the Imaam finishes the prayer, all his sins in between the present and the next Friday will be forgiven, as long as major sins were avoided.)'"

Al-Bukhaaree recorded similar wording from Salmaan Al-Faarisee.

Tafseer Ibn Katheer, tafseer of Soorah An-Nisaa, aayah 31