From In Shaykh’s Company;
by Abu Abdullah Ibn Ismail
“Sins are classified by the ulama as being either major or minor. The reason for this classification is not so that we can abstain from major sins and commit minor ones.
This categorization is to determine the rulings applicable to each sin, otherwise it is just as important to abstain from minor sins as it is to abstain from major sins, and minor sins can be just as detrimental as major ones.
Explaining this, Hakeemul Ummah, Shaykh Ashraf Ali Thanwi rahmatullahi alayh used to say that no one avoids a large scorpion and yet plays with a small one; both are considered to be dangerous.
The only difference between them is that the poison of the smaller scorpion may take longer to effect the body, though it will still be fatal. Likewise, the ultimate effect of minor and major sins will be the same.”
