3) Weighing Deeds

Among what happens on this Day is weighing deeds, as Allah, Exalted be He, says: ~nd the weighing [of deeds] that Day will be the truth. So those whose scales are heavy - it is they who will be the successful. And those whose scales are light - they are the ones who will lose themselves for what injustice they were doing toward Our verses." (Quran: Al-A' raf: 8-9) And He also says: "And We place the scales ofjusticefor the Day ofResurrection, so no soul will be treated unjustly at all. And if there is [even] the weight ofa mustard seed, We will bring itforth. And sufficient are We as accountant:' (Quran: Al-Anbiya: 47) Thus, deeds will be weighed by real scales which have an indicator and two scale pans. Shaykhul-IsIAm Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said, "The Scale is the machine by which deeds will be weighed and it is different from justice, as indicated in the Noble Qurtin and the Sunnah (Prophetic Tradition). This is stated in the verse that reads, 'So those whose scales are heavy [with good deeds], ...' (Quran: Al-Qari' ah: 6) and the verse ~nd We place the scales ofjustice for the Day ofResurrection•.•' (Quran: Al-Qari' ah: 47)" Then, Ibn Taymiyah mentioned some b.adtths which deal with weighing deeds and said, "These b.adUhs prove that the deeds will be weighed by scales which will show whether the good deeds or the bad ones will outbalance. Thus, the scales are a means to state justice, for what is meant by weighing is to attain justice as in the scales ofthe worldly life. However, the nature of these scales is among what we are informed as beingfrom the Unseen ..." 4) Passing over the S.ir4! Among the happenings of the Day of Resurrection is passing over the Sird!., a bridge on the middle of the Hellfire, on which the first and later generations will pass. Each one will pass over it according to one's deeds. It is narrower than a hair, sharper than a sword and hotter than a firebrand. It has pincers which seize the one whom they have been commanded to seize. People pass over the Sirat according to their deeds in this world; some of them will pass over it like lightening, some like wind, some like a steed, some like a trotting man, some will walk., some will crawl, and some will be grabbed and cast down into the Hellfire. We ask Allah to grant us safety and protection. As-Safirioi said: "The majority ofscholars agree that the Sira!. is an established fact. But the people of truth verify it as being a real bridge which extends on the middle of Hellfire, and which is sharper than a sword and narrower than a hair. Judge 'Abdul-Jabbar 23, and many of his followers denied this claiming that the Sird!. in such a way cannot be crossed, and if it is crossed, this involves torment and there is no torment for the believers or the righteous people on the Day ofResurrection. Therefore, it may mean the path to Paradise that is indicated in Allah's saying, 'He will guide them and amend their condition' (Quran: Muhammad: 5) and the path to Hellfire as indicated in Allah's saying, ~ •.And guide them in the path ofHellfire: (Quran: A.~-SMfat: 23) Other scholars interpreted it as the clear evidence, allowed acts and evil deeds, for which one will be called to account. These are allegations offalsehood and superstitions. Crossing the Sirat is notas incredible as walkingon water, flying in the air or standing in it. Moreover, the Prophet (PBUH) answered the question about the disbeliever's gathering on his face on the Day ofResurrection saying that Allah's Power is capable ofdoing so."