❀ Role of Nawafil and Sunnahs in Compensating for Deficiencies in Obligatory Prayers ❀
Source: Fatawa of the Scholars of Hadith, Kitab al-Salah, Volume 1
Will Nawafil (voluntary) and Sunnah prayers make up for deficiencies in obligatory (fard) prayers on the Day of Judgment?
Yes, Nawafil and Sunnah prayers—such as two units before Fajr, four before Dhuhr, two after Fajr, and two after 'Isha—will be counted on the Day of Judgment to compensate for any shortcomings found in obligatory prayers.
Based on the generality of the Hadith of the Prophet ﷺ, these voluntary prayers will be included in compensating for the deficiencies in obligatory ones.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"The first matter that the servant will be brought to account for on the Day of Judgment is the prayer. If it is found to be complete, he will have succeeded. If it is found lacking, he will have failed and lost. If there is a deficiency in his obligatory prayers, Allah will say: 'See if My servant has any voluntary prayers with which to complete what is lacking in the obligatory ones.' Then the rest of his deeds will be judged accordingly."
(Tirmidhi: 413, Authenticated by Al-Albani)
✔ Nawafil and Sunnah prayers are significant in compensating for shortcomings in obligatory acts of worship.
✔ Allah has promised that He will complete the obligatory prayers through these voluntary acts.
✔ Especially those Nawafil that are performed immediately before or after the obligatory prayers hold greater effectiveness, as they are from the consistent Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
Allah says:
"My servant continues to draw near to Me through voluntary deeds until I love him..."
(Sahih al-Bukhari: 6502)
Every believer should make a habit of performing Nawafil and Sunnah prayers regularly—particularly those directly connected to obligatory prayers, such as:
These voluntary prayers are not only a means of attaining Allah’s pleasure and closeness, but also serve to complete any deficiencies found in the obligatory prayers.
Hence, never consider Nawafil insignificant. Instead, by adhering to them, one can attain success in both this world and the Hereafter.
Source: Fatawa of the Scholars of Hadith, Kitab al-Salah, Volume 1
❖ Question:
Will Nawafil (voluntary) and Sunnah prayers make up for deficiencies in obligatory (fard) prayers on the Day of Judgment?
❖ Answer:
Yes, Nawafil and Sunnah prayers—such as two units before Fajr, four before Dhuhr, two after Fajr, and two after 'Isha—will be counted on the Day of Judgment to compensate for any shortcomings found in obligatory prayers.
Based on the generality of the Hadith of the Prophet ﷺ, these voluntary prayers will be included in compensating for the deficiencies in obligatory ones.
✿ Hadith of the Prophet ﷺ:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"The first matter that the servant will be brought to account for on the Day of Judgment is the prayer. If it is found to be complete, he will have succeeded. If it is found lacking, he will have failed and lost. If there is a deficiency in his obligatory prayers, Allah will say: 'See if My servant has any voluntary prayers with which to complete what is lacking in the obligatory ones.' Then the rest of his deeds will be judged accordingly."
(Tirmidhi: 413, Authenticated by Al-Albani)
❖ Importance of Nawafil:
✔ Nawafil and Sunnah prayers are significant in compensating for shortcomings in obligatory acts of worship.
✔ Allah has promised that He will complete the obligatory prayers through these voluntary acts.
✔ Especially those Nawafil that are performed immediately before or after the obligatory prayers hold greater effectiveness, as they are from the consistent Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
✿ Virtue of Nawafil in Hadith Qudsi:
Allah says:
"My servant continues to draw near to Me through voluntary deeds until I love him..."
(Sahih al-Bukhari: 6502)
❖ Advice:
Every believer should make a habit of performing Nawafil and Sunnah prayers regularly—particularly those directly connected to obligatory prayers, such as:
- Two before and after Fajr
- Four before and two after Dhuhr
- Two after 'Isha
These voluntary prayers are not only a means of attaining Allah’s pleasure and closeness, but also serve to complete any deficiencies found in the obligatory prayers.
Hence, never consider Nawafil insignificant. Instead, by adhering to them, one can attain success in both this world and the Hereafter.
