Perfect-fluid null energy condition ($\rho +p\ge 0$)

For $T_{ab}=(\rho +p)u_a{u}_b+p{g}_{ab}$ and nonzero null $k$, contraction gives $T_{ab}{k}^a{k}^b=(\rho +p)(u\cdot k{)}^2$. A timelike fluid velocity has nonzero scalar product with every nonzero null vector, so the null energy condition is exactly the displayed inequality. Individual nonnegativity of pressure or density is unnecessary for null focusing. A cosmological constant term has zero null contraction.