The Day of Judgment is a pivotal event in Islamic belief. It marks the moment when every soul will be held accountable for their deeds. Central to this day are the Scales of Justice (Mizan) and the fate of the People of the Heights (A'raf). Understanding these concepts is crucial for every Muslim striving to prepare for the hereafter.
The Day of Judgement: An Overview
The Day of Judgment, known as Yawm al-Qiyamah, is when all humans will be resurrected and judged by Allah. Every deed, small or large, will be measured. This day emphasizes accountability, justice, and Allah's mercy.
The Quran and Sunnah provide detailed descriptions of this day. They paint a vivid picture of its events, urging believers to remain conscious of their actions.
What Are the Scales (Mizan)?
The Scales represent Allah's absolute justice. They weigh acts, both good and bad, to decide an individual's eternal lot in life.
How the Scales Work
Allah will weigh each act, whether it is a good word, a charitable deed, or an unjust action. Good deeds will be on one side of the scale, and bad deeds will be on the other side.
Heavier Scales of Good Deeds: Individuals whose good deeds surpass bad ones find themselves entering Paradise.
More Serious Scales of Evil Deeds: As the evil deeds are heavier than the good ones, the persons, unless forgiven by Allah will meet punishment.
The Quran says,
" And the weighing that Day will be the truth. So those whose scales are heavy—it is they who will be successful." (Surah Al-A'raf : 8)
Quality Matters in Deeds too
Not just the number of good deeds, but the quality counts. Intention in deeds is of great magnitude.
A small, genuine act can be the difference between a lot and nothing at all.
Hollow or ostentatious good deeds are not worth anything.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) teaches us:
"The best deeds are those done for Allah with good intentions." (Sahih Bukhari)
Who Are the People of the Heights (A'raf)?
The People of the Heights are a group in the Quran. They are between Paradise and Hell on a raised barrier (A'raf), but they see both groups.
Why Are They There?
Scholars interpret their position as temporary, caused by a balance of good and bad deeds. Their fate remains undecided until Allah, in His infinite mercy, determines their outcome.
The Quran describes them:
"And between them will be a partition, and on [its] elevations are men who recognize all by their mark." (Surah Al-A'raf: 46)
Their Role
From their position, they:
Identify the Inhabitants of Paradise and Hell: He is one who has radiant faces and those whose faces are clouded in sin.
Yearning for Allah's Forgiveness: Such people wish to see the people of Paradise and dread being thrown into Hell.
The Call of Hope and Fear
The Balance Scale and the A'raf remind the Muslims of the balance of hope with regard to Allah's mercy and fear of Allah's retribution.
Hope: Allah's mercy is vast, and sincere repentance can wipe away sins.
Fear: Complacency could result in paying no attention to worship and good deeds.
These reminders urge believers to pursue righteousness while seeking forgiveness for the shortcomings.
How to Prepare for the Scales
Preparation for the Day of Judgment is a lifelong effort. Some key actions to focus on:
1. Strengthen Your Faith (Iman)
Belief in Allah, His Prophets and the Day of Judgment is fundamental. Strengthen this faith by:
Repeating the Quran daily.
Reflecting on attributes and wonders of Allah.
2. Daily Good Deeds
Worship and acts of goodness, like:
Salat on time
Giving Sadaqah - donate to the poor
Rendering aid to those in need
3. Avoiding Major Sins
Avoid things that invite Allah's wrath, such as:
Lying.
Backbiting.
Zulm (injustice).
Tawbah (sincere repentance) nullifies the past sins.
4. Seeking Forgiveness of Allah
The Prophet (peace be upon him) frequently asked for forgiveness even though he had no sin at all. Let us do the same by frequently saying:
"Istaghfirullah" (I seek forgiveness from Allah).
5. Pray for a Good Repayment
Pray daily that your deeds are accepted, and that your record has weight on Judgment Day.
What Messages Do We Get?
1. One Cannot Escape Judgment
The Scales tell us that nothing is overlooked by Allah. Everything matters.
2. Truthfulness Increases Its Repayment
Slight, truthful act weighs more than a great, false one. Be perfect in your worship and works.
3. Allah's Mercy is Boundless
Those in the A'raf may even receive forgiveness and be allowed to enter Paradise. Never lose hope of Allah's mercy.
A Peek into Paradise and Hell
The Balance and the A'raf can lead to one of the two eternal places:
Paradise (Jannah)
A place of unparalleled bliss and bliss.
Meant for those whose good outweighs evil.
Hell (Jahannam)
A place of torment for the renegades and losers who rejected faith or let their wrong deeds dominate.
For some believers, a temporary refuge to be eventually admitted into Paradise.
Final Thoughts
The Scales on Judgment Day and the People of the Heights remind us powerfully what is expected of the Muslim community - to live a life filled with faith, sincerity, and good deeds.
We do not know what will happen to us, but we can strive for success by constantly seeking Allah's guidance and forgiveness. May the best-deed scale be heavy upon us and we be granted Paradise.
