Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 7852 — What expiates sins

Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Whenever I heard a hadith from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), Allah benefited me with something from it. And if someone else narrated to me from him, I would ask him to swear to its truth; if he swore, I would believe him. And Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated to me, and Abu Bakr spoke the truth, that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whenever a servant commits a sin, then after that performs ablution well, then prays two rak'ahs, or prays a prayer, and seeks forgiveness from Allah Almighty, Allah Almighty forgives him."