A Lot of Shortcomings in my Practice: Is There Still Hope for Me to Avoid Hell?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam
Question: Assalam alaikum
I am worried about my fate in the Hereafter. I was born into a muslim family not very religious and I have missed a lot of prayers. Have I doomed myself to the hellfire or is there still a chance of salvation?
Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,
I pray that you are in the best of health and faith, insha’Allah.
It is a tremendous blessing that Allah has honoured you by making you from the Community of the Holy Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), the Prophet of Mercy, in the Religion of Mercy, with an All-Merciful Lord.
Allah Most High says, “Say, ‘[God says], My servants who have harmed yourselves by your own excess, do not despair of God’s mercy. God forgives all sins: He is truly the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.” [39.53]
Repentance wipes away the sin and its traces. But with that, rectify the wrong by making up those prayers which you have missed for whatever reason. [see: A Reader on Missed Prayers]
However, don’t make any judgements on your past prayers until you have soundly learnt what the integrals and conditions of validity are. I’d advise taking: Absolute Essentials of Islam: Beliefs & Worship (STEP)
See also: A Reader on Tawba (Repentance)
And Allah alone gives success.
wassalam,
Tabraze Azam
Checked & Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani.