Difference between al-Dhunoob (sins) and al-Sayyi’aat (misdeeds):

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

*Al-Dhunoob (sing. al-Dhanb)

**Al-Sayyi’aat (sing. al-Sayyi’ah)

Ibn al-Qayyim said:

“(In the Qur’aan), the word “al-Dhunoob” is used to describe: Major Sins; and “al-Sayyi’aat” is used to describe: Minor Sins.

If one were to contemplate over the Aayaat of the Qur’aan, one would see that the word “al-Maghfirah” (forgiveness) is associated with the word “al-Dhunoob”, and the word “al-Kaffaarah” (expiation/removal) is associated with the word “al-Sayyi’aat”.

Allaah تعالى mentions in the Qur’aan about the Du`aa of the righteous people:

رَبَّنَا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَكَفِّرْ عَنَّا سَيِّئَاتِنَا

{Our Lord, so forgive us our sins and remove from us our misdeeds…} [Surah aal-`Imraan (3): 193]

The word “al-Maghfirah” is more complete (and perfect) than the word “al-Kaffaarah” and that is why “al-Maghfirah” is mentioned along with “al-Dhunoob” and “al-Kaffaarah” is mentioned along with “al-Sayyi’aat”

The word “al-Maghfirah” includes (or guarantees) preservation and protection (of man from the punishment); and “al-Kaffaarah” includes (or guarantees) covering (of faults) and removal (of sins).

But when either word is mentioned on its own, the meaning of the other word is also included in it.

And the evidence that “al-Sayyi’aat” are Minor Sins is the saying of Allaah تعالى:

إن تَجْتَنِبُوا كَبَائِرَ مَا تُنْهَوْنَ عَنْهُ نُكَفِّرْ عَنكُمْ سَيِّئَاتِكُمْ

{If you avoid the major sins which you are forbidden, We will remove from you your lesser sins…} [Surah al-Nisaa’ (4): 31] 

[Abridged from Madaarj al-Saalikeen (1/317) of Ibn al-Qayyim]