Nafl Ibadah and Avoiding Sin: Which is better (Malfoozat of Shaykh al-Islam Hazrat Maulana Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani)
It was advised that voluntary (Nafl) acts of worship are very good, a means of closeness to Allah, and they also strengthen a person, helping them avoid sin. However, if someone spends their entire life without performing a single Nafl act but refrains completely from sin, they are successful and deserving of Paradise in the eyes of Allah. They will not be questioned for not praying Tahajjud, Ishraq, Chasht, or Awabeen, nor for not performing I’tikaf.
On the other hand, if someone regularly performs Nafl prayers, consistently observes Tahajjud and Ishraq, never misses Chasht or Awabeen, and performs Umrah and I’tikaf but does not control their eyes, ears, or tongue, then according to Allah’s law, the Nafl acts were not obligatory.
However, avoiding sin was obligatory. If a person neglects what was required but excels in non-obligatory acts, the result will be that the weight of their sins will be heavier, while the weight of their voluntary worship will be lighter.
(Khutbat-e-Ramadan, Page 151)
This Malfooz is selected by Dr. Faisal Sahib.