No Muslim person who, when an obligatory prayer becomes due, perfects its ablution, humility, and bowing except that it becomes an expiation for the sins that preceded it as long as he has not committed a major sin, and this applies to all times

Explanation

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) clarified that no Muslim who, when the time for an obligatory prayer becomes due, perfects and completes its ablution, then prays with humility in such a way that his heart and all of his body organs are devoted to Allah and heedful of His greatness, and he perfects the acts of prayer like bowing, prostration and other actions, except that this prayer will serve as an expiation for the preceding minor sins as long as he has not committed a major sin; and this merit applies to all times and every prayer.

Lessons

• The prayer that expiates sins is that in which one perfects its ablution and performs it with humility and which is fully devoted to Allah Almighty.
• The merit of performing acts of worship regularly and that these are a means of forgiving minor sins.
• The merit of perfecting ablution and excellently performing prayer with humility.
• The importance of avoiding major sins to have the minor sins forgiven.
• Major sins are forgiven only through repentance.