The First Deed to be Counted on Hereafter is Salah

Salah: The First Deed Judged on the Day of Resurrection

In our lives, we perform numerous deeds and acts of worship, yet on the Day of Judgment, the very first action Allah will assess is salah (prayer). This essential pillar of Islam is the foundation of a believer’s faith. If a person’s prayer is sound and complete, it opens the door to success and safety in the Hereafter. Conversely, if their prayer is lacking, they face a grave risk of loss.

The Significance of Salah in the Hereafter

The importance of salah is emphasized in a hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), in which the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

“The first of man’s deeds for which he will be called to account on the Day of Resurrection will be salah. If it is found to be perfect, he will be safe and successful; but if it is incomplete, he will be unfortunate and a loser. If any shortcoming is found in the obligatory salah, the Glorious and Exalted Lord will command to see whether His servant has offered any voluntary salah, so that the obligatory salah may be completed by it. Then the rest of his actions will be judged in a similar manner.”
— [Sunan al-Tirmidhi: 413]

This hadith conveys the gravity of salah and the mercy of Allah, who allows for shortcomings in obligatory prayers to be compensated by voluntary prayers (nafl). This process underscores the immense value of regular prayer in a Muslim’s life, as it is the first key to success in the Hereafter.

Balance in Deeds and Accountability

This hadith also serves as a reminder for Muslims to strive for consistency and completeness in salah. It teaches us that while we may fall short, Allah’s mercy provides us the chance to make amends. Thus, regular voluntary prayers not only strengthen our connection to Allah but also act as a safety net for any lapses in our obligatory worship.

By ensuring that salah remains the cornerstone of our daily lives, we align ourselves with the guidance of the Prophet (ﷺ) and prepare for the ultimate judgment of our deeds. May Allah accept our prayers and grant us success on the Day of Judgment.