How can we reconcile God's love for His servants' seeking forgiveness when they err, with considering persistence in minor sins a major sin? And which is more beloved to God: striving against one's self to avoid falling into minor sins, or falling into them and then seeking forgiveness?

Allah does not like His servant to sin, but He loves for him to repent if he does sin. Therefore, a Muslim must avoid sins, but if he falls into sin, he must hasten to sincere repentance. A servant should not commit a sin claiming that he will repent from it, for this is one of Satan's tricks. Rather, he must avoid sins, but if his human nature overwhelms him and he commits some prohibitions, then he should promptly resort to repentance, for his repentance is a great act of obedience beloved to Allah.