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When does seeking forgiveness need seeking forgiveness, and is forgiveness granted to one who habitually commits minor sins while seeking forgiveness?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

Constant seeking of forgiveness without cessation is the repentance of liars, because it is seeking forgiveness with the tongue while the heart insists on disobedience. Thus, it is not a complete repentance, but rather a supplication and a request for forgiveness. Repentance wipes away all sins, whereas seeking forgiveness alone is a cause for forgiveness and may be answered, especially if it emanates from a broken heart or coincides with times when prayers are answered. One must be careful not to belittle minor sins, as they may turn into major sins through persistence and indifference towards them. A major sin may be joined with minor sins if it is accompanied by shame and fear. Allah expiates minor sins by avoiding major sins, observing the five daily prayers, Friday prayer, and Ramadan, in addition to other acts of obedience for which expiation of sins has been mentioned, such as fasting on the day of Arafah and Ashura.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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