إِنَّمَا الْأَعْمَالُ بِالْخَوَاتِيمِ
Deeds are judged by their endings.
Source: البخاري ومسلم
الْأَعْمَالُ is plural “deeds,” while الْخَوَاتِيمِ refers to endings or conclusions. The report stresses the importance of how deeds and a life come to their conclusion, encouraging continued commitment to what is good.
إِنَّمَا conveys restriction; الْأَعْمَالُ is the nominal subject, and بِالْخَوَاتِيمِ is a prepositional expression functioning as the predicate in meaning. Its bāʾ connects the deeds with their outcome.
The report does not authorize a final judgment about a living person's destiny or make earlier obligations unimportant. A good ending calls for consistent good conduct.