[discountviagraman]

Asalaamu Alaikum,

I was asked by a nonmuslim about the scale of good deeds and how some ahadith tell us that some acts of worship are worth X times more if done in a particular way (the value of Salah for example is said to be multiplied if done in the mosque).

I understand as the scholars say that we are to believe in the reality of the scale, and that every act will be weighed at its true value. Allah says in the qur'an: he whose scales weigh heavier shall have a blissful life, but he whose scale weighs lighter, his shall be the deep pit for a dwelling" (101:6-9). Does this mean that one whose scale is "heavy" in good deeds achieves success, but if his scale is light in good deeds (heavy in bad) then hell is what he receives (naudhubillah)? that is, is this simply painting the picture of the scale of the person with significantly more good/bad deeds than the other kind (hence, "heavy" or "light", not just "more" or "less"), or does this refer to one side being at all heavier than the other? Basically, regarding one's fate in the akhirah, could you please point me toward what the scholars have said about what exactly it is we have to believe the scales indicate? Just to give the right context, I believe the questioner can accept the concept that one who has significantly more bad deeds than good goes to hell, but is troubled by the idea of one going to heaven or hell by for example having one more good/bad deed than the other, but I don't know how "heavy" or "light" is exactly to be understood and hope to get back to him. JazakumAllah khair for your time!

[Hoijdxvh]

Asalaamu Alaikum,

I was asked by a nonmuslim about the scale of good deeds and how some ahadith tell us that some acts of worship are worth X times more if done in a particular way (the value of Salah for example is said to be multiplied if done in the mosque).

I understand as the scholars say that we are to believe in the reality of the scale, and that every act will be weighed at its true value. Allah says in the qur'an: he whose scales weigh heavier shall have a blissful life, but he whose scale weighs lighter, his shall be the deep pit for a dwelling" (101:6-9). Does this mean that one whose scale is "heavy" in good deeds achieves success, but if his scale is light in good deeds (heavy in bad) then hell is what he receives (naudhubillah)? that is, is this simply painting the picture of the scale of the person with significantly more good/bad deeds than the other kind (hence, "heavy" or "light", not just "more" or "less"), or does this refer to one side being at all heavier than the other? Basically, regarding one's fate in the akhirah, could you please point me toward what the scholars have said about what exactly it is we have to believe the scales indicate? Just to give the right context, I believe the questioner can accept the concept that one who has significantly more bad deeds than good goes to hell, but is troubled by the idea of one going to heaven or hell by for example having one more good/bad deed than the other, but I don't know how "heavy" or "light" is exactly to be understood and hope to get back to him. JazakumAllah khair for your time!

Dear Brother, Assalaamoalaikum

Allah(SWT) Speaks the language of man for man to understand what He Wishes to tell us. He Uses similitudes as He Says in the Holy Qur'an. So, He Wishes to tell us that the more good deeds we do, the more chance we have to be rewarded with Jannah. The idea of scales is known to man, so he refers to same to ensure that we do understand what He Says.

Allah(SWT)'s Justice is Known to Him only. One may be a drunkard, but if that person picks up a piece of paper on the road with the Holy Qur'an wordings on it, wipes it and take it home and put same in a place worthy of the Holy Qur'an, then Allah(SWT) May Allocate Jannah to that person irrespective of all the bad deeds he might have been doing.

Further, intentions constitute the most decisive criterion in Allah(SWT)'s judgment. One goes to the masjid five times a day out of obedience to Allah(SWT). Another goes to masjid for the pleasure of Allah(SWT). The intentions being different, the rewards will be different.

Hope that Insh'Allah, above gives you an idea of Allah(SWT)'s Justice.

Allah(SWT) Knows Best.

Brotherly yours
farook

[discountviagraman]

Jazakum Allahu khair to both of you for your input! Truth_finder, brother I do understand what you are saying, its always better to stick to principles of tawheed in such conversations. thanks for the reminder, and for advising so gently. Still somehow I feel inclined to seek the answer to the question if it is related to aqeedah, especially since I didn't believe it would be a difficult matter, just that I was ignorant of the answer. I will try to avoid going into such unnecessary details in the future inshallah. Brother Farook I've learned from my limited studies that according to a good many scholars, the scales are not similitudes, but will actually exist and will actually weigh (Ghazali for example; what you've said about the gist seems sufficient: I'll tell him that at least one wisdom of the scales is to encourage us to act in a certain way, we are to act such that inshallah in the end, our good deeds will outweigh our bad deeds, knowing that "the more chance we have to be rewarded with Jannah". Allah alone knows how much other factors will play a part (redistribution of deeds, his mercy, etc.). May Allah reward the both you!