200 FAQ On Muslims Belief by Hafiz Ibn Ahmed Al Hakami

A--- Allah the Almighty says: {If you avoid the great sins which you are forbidden to do, We shall expiate from you your (small) sins, and admit you to a Noble Entrance (i.e. Paradise)}. (An-Nisa', 31)

Allah the Almighty says: {Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds (i.e. small sins)}. (Hud, 114)

Thus, Almighty Allah informed us that sins are being expiated by means of avoiding committing the Major sins and performing good deeds. In addition, the Hadith says: "And do a good deed after a sinful one to remove it.” (Ahmed, At-Tirmidhi, AI-Hakim)

In addition, the authentic Hadiths state that the following deeds of obedience along with others expiate sins and misdeeds: these acts are as follows: performing perfect ablution, walking to the mosques for prayer, performing the five compulsory prayers, Friday Prayers attending, fasting Ramadan, standing in prayer through its nights and the Night of Might in particular, and fasting during the day of 'Ashuraa’. However, most of these Hadiths stipulate that one should avoid committing the Major sins.

Thus, avoiding the Major sins is a precondition for expiating the Minor sins through performing good deeds.