Islamic Reminders

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“The best supplication is that of the Day of ‘Arafah, and the best that I and the Prophets before me have said is:
Lā ilāha illa Allāhu waḥdahu lā sharīka lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-ḥamd, wa Huwa ‘alā kulli shay’in qadīr.”
— Tirmidhī

This dhikr is also recommended in the morning and evening.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

“The first matter that the slave will be brought to account for on the Day of Judgment is the prayer. If it is sound, then the rest of his deeds will be sound. And if it is corrupt, then the rest of his deeds will be corrupt.”
Reported by al-Tirmidhī (413), classed as ṣaḥīḥ

Explanation

This hadith highlights the central importance of prayer in Islam.
1. Prayer is the foundation of worship
Ṣalāh is the first act of worship a Muslim will be questioned about because it reflects one’s relationship with Allah. If a person is mindful and sincere in prayer, it often leads to righteousness in other actions.
2. Quality matters, not just performance
The hadith does not only refer to praying, but to praying correctly—with sincerity (ikhlāṣ), humility (khushūʿ), and consistency.
3. Prayer shapes character
Regular and sincere prayer helps restrain a person from immoral behavior, as mentioned in the Qur’an:
“Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing.” (Qur’an 29:45)
4. Neglecting prayer affects all deeds
If prayer is careless, rushed, or abandoned, it reflects weakness in faith, which can affect all other good deeds.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“The best among you are those who have the best manners and character.”

مَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ لَا يَنْقَطِعَ عَمَلُهُ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهِ فَلْيَنْشُرِ الْعِلْمَ

“Whoever loves that his deeds are not cut off after his death, then let him spread knowledge.”

This meaning is also supported by the well-known authentic hadith:

“When a person dies, his deeds come to an end except for three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for him.”