Hadith: Beware of insignificant sins

عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ رَضيَ اللهُ عنه قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ:
«إِيَّاكُمْ وَمُحَقَّرَاتِ الذُّنُوبِ، فَإِنَّمَا مَثَلُ مُحَقَّرَاتِ الذُّنُوبِ كَقَوْمٍ نَزَلُوا فِي بَطْنِ وَادٍ، فَجَاءَ ذَا بِعُودٍ، وَجَاءَ ذَا بِعُودٍ، حَتَّى أَنْضَجُوا خُبْزَتَهُمْ، وَإِنَّ مُحَقَّرَاتِ الذُّنُوبِ مَتَى يُؤْخَذْ بِهَا صَاحِبُهَا تُهْلِكْهُ».
[صحيح] - [رواه أحمد] - [مسند أحمد: 22808]

Sahl ibn Sa‘d (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"Beware of insignificant sins, for indeed, an example of insignificant sins is like a group of people who alighted at the bottom of a valley: one of them brought a stick, and another brought a stick, until they cooked their bread. Verily, insignificant sins, if one is held accountable for them, they perish him."
[Authentic hadith] - [Narrated by Ahmad] - [Musnad Ahmad - 22808]

Explanation

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) warned against taking minor sins lightly and committing them excessively, as their accumulation can lead to destruction. He gave an example of a group of people who alighted at the bottom of a valley; each brought a small stick until they gathered enough to cook their bread. Similarly, insignificant sins, if their perpetrator is called to account for them without having repented or been pardoned by Allah, can ultimately ruin him.