Hadith Text & Reference

"The first thing for which a person will be brought to account will be his Salah. If it is complete (all well and good), otherwise Allah will say: 'Look and see if My slave did any voluntary prayer.' If he is found to have done voluntary prayers, his obligatory prayers will be completed therewith."

Source: Sunan an-Nasa'i 467 | The Book of Salah

Primary Meaning & Context

This noble hadith establishes that the first matter scrutinized on Judgment Day will be the obligatory prayers (Salah). It demonstrates Allah's immense mercy, as He commands angels to examine if deficient obligatory prayers can be compensated by voluntary (nafil) prayers.

The hadith emphasizes the supreme importance of Salah in Islamic worship, being the foundational pillar of faith and primary covenant between servant and Creator.

Scholarly Commentary

Imam an-Nawawi explains this indicates the excellence of supererogatory prayers, which serve as supplementary acts that perfect obligatory worship. The voluntary prayers referenced include Sunnah prayers (rawatib) associated with the five daily prayers, night prayers (tahajjud), and other nawafil.

Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali notes this demonstrates Allah's generosity in accepting supplementary worship to complete deficiencies in obligatory acts, reflecting divine compassion despite human shortcomings.

Scholars clarify this completion refers to making up for qualitative shortcomings in performance, not quantitative omissions, as missed obligatory prayers must still be made up (qada').

Practical Implications

Muslims should prioritize perfecting their obligatory prayers in proper time with devotion (khushu').

Regular performance of Sunnah and voluntary prayers is strongly encouraged as spiritual protection.

This hadith offers hope while motivating consistent worship, balancing divine justice with mercy.