Intermediate
Social Conduct
Surah: An-Nisa (31)
If You Avoid Major Sins Allah Will Expiate Your Minor Ones — The Mercy of the Divine Economy
إِن تَجۡتَنِبُواْ كَبَآئِرَ مَا تُنۡهَوۡنَ عَنۡهُ نُكَفِّرۡ عَنكُمۡ سَيِّـَٔاتِكُمۡ
— النساء الآية 31
Verse: "If you avoid the major sins forbidden to you, We will expiate your minor sins." (4:31) — Glad tidings for those who sometimes weaken then repent. Avoiding major sins makes minor ones expiated through prayer, purification, and good deeds. The requirement is not infallibility — just genuine avoidance of major sins. Lesson: do not despair of Allah's mercy because of minor sins you fall into — avoid major ones and the door of expiation is open.
Source: Ibn Kathir (2/282); Al-Sadi
Test Yourself
What is the condition for expiation of minor sins according to this verse?
Show Answer