“Then We will give them a full account with sure knowledge—for We were never absent. “And the weighing that Day will be the truth. So those whose scales are heavy – it is they who will be the successful.” But those whose scale is light, they have doomed themselves for wrongfully denying Our signs.” (Qur’an 7: 7-9)
“We set up the scales of justice for the Day of Judgment, so no soul will be wronged in the least. And if a deed is the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it forth. And sufficient are We as a Reckoner.” (Qur’an 21:47)
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The vast majority of Muslims believe that they will be weighed on some scales on the day of judgement in which Allah (swt) will weigh their deeds. They imagine their good deeds being placed on some balance to the right and their bad deeds being placed on some balance on the left.
This has also led to the idea that we merit paradise through our deeds. If we do x amount of this or that than Allah (swt) is bound to grant us paradise.
This belief arises out of the corruption of the belief sent by the earlier messengers to the people of Egypt. After the truth was mixed with falsehood they came to believe that the heart recorded all the good and bad deeds of a person’s life. When the person died their heart was weighted against the feather of the Goddess Ma’at.
Ma’at was the personification of truth and justice. (Themes you will come to see soon enough).
The scales were watched by the results of the weighing were recorded by Anubis, The jackal headed deity of embalming. Known as ‘He who is Upon His Mountain’ meaning
Necropolis (The City of the Dead).
The results were recorded by Thoth -the God associated with writing and judgement of the dead. If the person was said to have led a descent life they would live forever with Osiris.
Do Muslims have any justification for believing in scales that weigh good and bad deeds?
The following verses are usually appealed to.
“Then, when the Trumpet will be blown, there will be no kinship between them on that Day, nor will they ask about one another. As for those whose scale is heavy, it is they who will be successful. But those whose scale is light, they will have doomed themselves, staying in Hell forever.” (Qur’an 23:101-103)
“The Striking Disaster! What is the Striking Disaster? And what will make you realize what the Striking Disaster is? The Day people will be like scattered moths, and the mountains will be like carded wool. So as for those whose scale is heavy, they will be in a life of bliss. And as for those whose scale is light, their home will be the abyss. And what will make you realize what that is? A scorching Fire.” (Qur’an 101:1-11)
“Then We will give them a full account with sure knowledge—for We were never absent. “And the weighing that Day will be the truth. So those whose scales are heavy – it is they who will be the successful.” But those whose scale is light, they have doomed themselves for wrongfully denying Our signs.” (Qur’an 7: 7-9)
“We set up the scales of justice for the Day of Judgment, so no soul will be wronged in the least. And if a deed is the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it forth. And sufficient are We as a Reckoner.” (Qur’an 21:47)
wal-waznu yawma-idhin l-haqu = The weighing that day is the Truth.
wanada’u l-mawazina l-qis’ta = And we set the weighing as justice.
Notice that in the Egyptian theology Ma’at is the personification of Truth and Justice.
So we can see that the Qur’an has used as a metaphor for the Truth and Justice being done that day. The Truth is Justice and Justice is nothing but the Truth.
Allah (swt) is not need of any scale to weigh people’s deeds. He already knows what we have done. He knows even before we have done it!
A BOOK NOT TWO BOOKS
Remember the Qur’an always mentions we are given a book. We are not given two books, so that one may each be weighted.
In fact every minutia of our life is recorded in THE book of eternal life.
“This, Our record, speaks about you in truth. Indeed, We were having transcribed whatever you used to do.” (Qur’an 45:29)
This will be shown to us and as Allah (swt) says:
“And the record will be placed, and you will see the criminals fearful of that within it, and they will say, “Oh, woe to us! What is this book that leaves nothing small or great except that it has enumerated it?” And they will find what they did present. And your Lord does injustice to no one.” (Qur’an 18:49)
Notice the verse says: “Your Lord does injustice to no one.” This is what is given a book. We are not put on some scale physical or metaphysical and weighed. This is incorrect.
These ideas about being weighed in a balance are Egyptian ideas that are important to Christianity and influenced some Muslim understanding of our sacred text.
“Tekel: You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting.” (Daniel 5:7)
It is ultimately Christian belief that one cannot merit salvation and thus Christ Jesus alleged death by being nailed to a patibulum acts as a shield against this judgement or weighing.
As was discussed in a previous article, Christians are absolutely unassured of their salvation.
We know our fate at the moment of death based upon how the angels take our souls.
“The ones whom the angels take in death [while] wronging themselves, and [who] then offer submission, [saying], “We were not doing any evil.” But, yes! Indeed, Allah is Knowing of what you used to do.” (Qur’an 16:28)
“The ones whom the angels take in death, [being] good and pure; [the angels] will say, “Peace be upon you. Enter Paradise for what you used to do.” (Qur’an 16:32)
“And We took the Children of Israel across the sea, and Pharaoh and his soldiers pursued them in tyranny and enmity until, when drowning overtook him, he said, “I believe that there is no deity except that in whom the Children of Israel believe, and I am of the Muslims. Now? And you had disobeyed before and were of the corrupters? So today We will save you that you may be to those who succeed you a sign. And indeed, many among the people, of Our signs, are heedless.” (Qur’an 10:90-92)
“Pharaoh declared, “O chiefs! I know of no other god for you but myself. So bake bricks out of clay for me, O Hamân, and build a high tower so I may look at the God of Moses, although I am sure he is a liar.” And so he and his soldiers behaved arrogantly in the land with no right, thinking they would never be returned to Us. So We seized him and his soldiers, Casting them into the sea. See then what was the end of the wrongdoers! We made them leaders inviting to the Fire. And on the Day of Judgment they will not be helped. We caused a curse to follow them in this world. And on the Day of Judgment they will be among the outcasts.” (Qur’an 28:38-42)
“When the angels seize the souls of those who have wronged themselves—scolding them, “What was wrong with you?” they will reply, “We were oppressed in the land.” The angels will respond, “Was Allah’s earth not spacious enough for you to emigrate?” It is they who will have Hell as their home—what an evil destination!“ (Qur’an 4:97)
Prima Qur’an comments: In fact, if you are reading this above verse and may Allah (swt) protect you and I from being among these people. However, the very fact that there will be people aware of this verse and have this reaction by the angels is sobering indeed!
“Indeed, those who relapse ˹into disbelief˺ after ˹true˺ guidance has become clear to them, ˹it is˺ Satan ˹that˺ has tempted them, luring them with false hopes. That is because they said ˹privately˺ to those who ˹also˺ detest what Allah has revealed, “We will obey you in some matters.” But Allah ˹fully˺ knows what they are hiding. Then how ˹horrible˺ will it be when the angels take their souls, beating their faces and backs! This is because they follow whatever displeases Allah and hate whatever pleases Him, so He has rendered their deeds void. Or do those with sickness in their hearts think that Allah will not ˹be able to˺ expose their malice?” (Qur’an 47:25-29)
Prima Qur’an comments:
It can be readily seen that those whom the angel takes their souls leave this world in one of two conditions. They are either righteous or in a dreadful condition. Their state is not mixed.
There is no such thing as people being raised up in the hereafter with two types of qualities both sinful and righteous; and thus, need to be weighed to see what out weighs what. If the angels take their souls at death saying to them:
“Peace be upon you. Enter Paradise for what you used to do.” Where is the sin to put in another scale against this?!
What is the truth and justice is what is recorded in THE BOOK OF LIFE. (The entire 100,000 volume Blue-Ray edition of every iota of your life)
Every circumstance, every context and every intention.
The quality of the person is known before Allah (swt) not the quantity of his/her deeds. Quality is a measure of excellence and quantity is a measure of items.
“And abase me not on the day when they are raised, “The Day whereon neither wealth nor sons will avail, “But only he (will prosper) that brings to Allah a sound heart.” (Qur’an 26:88-90)
“Narrated An-Nu’man bin Bashir:
I heard Allah’s Messenger (saw) saying, ‘ Beware! There is a piece of flesh in the body if it becomes good (reformed) the whole body becomes good but if it gets spoilt the whole body gets spoilt and that is the heart.”
Source: (https://sunnah.com/bukhari:52)
“That is Paradise, which We give as inheritance to those of Our servants who were fearing of Allah.” (Qur’an 19:63)
“Indeed, Allah only accepts from the righteous [who fear Him]” (Qur’an 5:27)
“Those who believe and do righteous deeds and perform their prayers and give the purifying alms have their reward from their Lord, and they will not fear or grieve.” (Qur’an 2:277)
“As for those who repent, believe, and do good deeds, they are the ones whose evil deeds Allah will change into good deeds. For Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Qur’an 25:70)
Prima Qur’an comments:
If the person is fasiq, does not repent, is unjust than Allah refuse his all his deeds and that one will be in hell.
“Those who disbelieved, and prevented (others) from Allah’s way, He (Allah) has rendered their deeds vain.” (Qur’an 47:1)
“As for the unbelievers, how miserable will they be? Allah brought their deeds to nothing.“
(Qur’an 47:8)
“That is because they followed what angered Allah and disliked [what earns] His pleasure, so He rendered worthless their deeds.” (Qur’an 47:28)
Where is the good to put in another scale to benefit them?!
“And those who do not invoke with Allah another deity or kill the soul which Allah has forbidden [to be killed], except by right, and do not commit unlawful sexual intercourse. And whoever should do that will meet a penalty. Multiplied for him is the punishment on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein humiliated –Except for those who repent, believe and do righteous work. For them Allah will replace their evil deeds with good. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.” (Qur’an 25:70)
Shirk, adultery, fornication none of them will be in paradise. Except those who repent, amend and do righteous. Allah (swt) will replace their evil deeds with good deeds.
So where is the sin to put in another scale against them?!
The book of life that is given in the right hand or the left hand
“As for those given their records in their right hand, they will cry ˹happily˺, “Here ˹everyone˺! Read my record! I surely knew I would face my reckoning.” They will be in a life of bliss, in an elevated Garden, whose fruit will hang within reach. ˹They will be told,˺ “Eat and drink joyfully for what you did in the days gone by.” And as for those given their record in their left hand, they will cry ˹bitterly˺, “I wish I had not been given my record, nor known anything of my reckoning! I wish death was the end! My wealth has not benefited me! My authority has been stripped from me.” ˹It will be said,˺ “Seize and shackle them, then burn them in Hell, then tie them up with chains seventy arms long. For they never had faith in Allah, the Greatest.” (Qur’an 69:19-33)
“As for those who are given their record in their right hand, they will have an easy reckoning, and will return to their people joyfully. And as for those who are given their record ˹in their left hand˺ from behind their backs, they will cry for ˹instant˺ destruction, and will burn in the blazing Fire. For they used to be prideful among their people, thinking they would never return ˹to Allah˺.” (Qur’an 7-14)
Prima Qur’an comments:
So it is very clear to these people when they are given their book of life in which hand they are given it what will be their fate. There is no need to put people on scales and weigh them.
Also do take note that you have been lead to believe that the all Muslims take their book by their right hand. The verse does not say that at all!
“As for those given their records in their right hand.”
This can only mean the believers who were righteous and died in a good condition. Some will try and counter and say but the verses are references to the kafir: “For they never had faith in Allah, the Greatest.” & “For they used to be prideful among their people, thinking they would never return ˹to Allah˺”
Notice. They did not really believe in Allah. Nor did they really believe in the last day.
“And there are some who say, “We believe in Allah and the Last Day,” yet they are not believers.” (Qur’an 2:8)
We human beings can only judge by the dhahir (the apparent) and Allah (swt) judges by the dhahir and the batin (the apparent and the hidden) and he knows who are the truly righteous.
It is not simply a proclamation with the tongue! Also, note that the Murji’ah (Ahl Sunnah) are divided on rather or not the disobedient sinful believer takes their book with their left hand. Some interpolate statements saying by the left hand in the front (not behind their back).
The Qur’an has left no ambiguity as Shaykh Masoud Al Miqbali (r) says:
May Allah (swt) guide the Ummah!
May Allah (swt) forgive the Ummah
Prima Quran 