Some sayings by exegetes regarding the intended meaning of the balance in the Holy Quran from the first Hijri century to the present:

Some sayings by exegetes regarding the intended meaning of the balance in the Holy Quran from the first Hijri century to the present:^[1]

On studying exegetes’ opinions on the meaning of the balance in the Holy Quran, I found out that there are six meanings associated with the term:

① Justice

The following scholars suggest that the balance means justice: Muqatil (died 150 Hijri), al-Tabari (d. 310 Hijri), Bin Abi Zimnain (d. 399 Hijri), al-Samarqandi (d.  373 Hijri), al- Taghlibi (d. 427 Hijri), al-Mawardi (d. 450 Hijri), al-Qushairi (d. 465 Hijri), al-Wahidi (d. 468 Hijri), al-Sama’ni (d. 489 Hijri), al-Razi (d. 606 Hijri) and Ibn Juzei’ (d. 741 Hijri). They all agree that in verse 25 of the chapter of al-Hadid (Iron) the Book means the Holy Quran, and the balance means justice.

Abu Hayyan (d. 745 Hijri) quotes Mujahid, al-Tabari, and other exegetes on the interpretation of verse 7 of the chapter of ar-Rahman (The Compassionate) as he says that the balance means justice, and that this term refers specifically to the apparatus for measuring weights, which is a means of achieving justice.

Ibn Kathir (d. 774 Hijri) said, “The balance is the truth which is evident through sound reasoning, and which rejects faulty understanding.”

Other exegetes who subscribe to this view include Muhiyee al-Din Ali’ji (d. 905 Hijri), al-Suyuti (d. 911 Hijri) who quotes Qatadah, Zakaria al-Ansari (d. in 926 Hijri), al-'Aqam (d. 999 Hijri), al-Qasimi (d. 1332 Hijri), Rashid Rida (d. 1354 Hijri), and al-Maraghi (d. 1371 Hijri), who said, “The verse means that Allah sent down justice in order for people to treat each other with equity and understanding, as He commanded in the Book.”

Sayyid Qutb (d. 1387 Hijri) suggests that justice is the result of the balance. Ibn Ashur (d. 1393 Hijri) comments on verse 25 of the chapter of al-Hadid by saying that the balance is a metaphor for justice and guidance.

We can also include Jawad Mughniah (d. 1400 Hijri), al-Tabtaba’i (d. 1412 Hijri), and al-Makki al-Naseri (d. 1415 Hijri), who said, “The balance is a symbol of divine justice,” and “the balance is joined with the Book with the conjunction and because it is its highest and ultimate objective.

Other exegetes include al-Sha’rawi (d. 1419 Hijri) and Ibn Otheimin (d. 1421 Hijri), who, commenting on the interpretation of verse 7 of the chapter of ar-Rahman (The Compassionate), says,

“The intended meaning is not the physical scale, but rather justice.” He also comments on verse 25 of the chapter of al-Hadid, saying, “The balance means justice and understanding the correct comparison of different matters.”

Similarly, most exegetes agree that the balance in the Quranic chapters ash-Shura, al- Hadid, and ar-Rahman means justice. However, as noted above, the balance refers to the actually function of justice, especially in the chapter of al-Hadid where the intended meaning might be: We sent down the Book and justice, so that people uphold justice.

② Wisdom

Imam al-Matridi (d. 333 Hijri) suggests that the balance means wisdom, saying,

“It is possible that the intended meaning of the balance is wisdom, as wisdom coincides with the Book in many instances in the Holy Quran, as when Allah says, ﴾and teaches them the Scripture and wisdom﴿ (Holy Quran 3: 164). The Book establishes standards for behavior, while wisdom refers to the application of these standards and values included in the Book.”

③ A physical scale

The following scholars suggest that the balance refers to the physical scale that people use for measuring weight:

Al-Matridi (d. 333 Hijri) says,

“The meaning may be the scales that people use to evaluate the value of what they pay and exchange money for. Accordingly, ﴾We sent down with them the Book﴿ (Holy Quran 57: 25) as a means to establish the fundamentals of religion, and the balance is a means of safeguarding economic value, no more, no less. Allah knows best.”

Al-Mawardi (d. 450 Hijri) and al-Ghazali (d. 505 Hijri) agree, and al-Ghazali says,

“The Book, iron, and the balance have been sent down because people fall into three categories, and each functions as a means of correcting and guiding mankind. Some people need no more than the Book as they uphold justice out of free will. Other people need no more than the balance and need not to be forced to uphold justice. However, some people will never be guided or give people their due rights unless they are forced to do so.”

Al-Razi (d. in 606 Hijri) said in his commentary on the chapter of al-Hadid, “Then He mentioned justice as He used a well-known metaphor for justice, the balance. Thus, people have to adhere to the Book and use the balance as taught by the Book.”

He had a similar interpretation of ﴾He set up the balance﴿ in the chapter of ar-Rahman.

Muqatil (d. 150 Hijri) and Mujahid (d. 101 Hijri) also subscribe to this view. Mujahid said, “The balance is what is used to measure weight. Sent down the balance means that Allah inspired His creatures to make and use it”.

Al-Qurtubi, in his interpretation of verse 17 of the chapter of ash-Shura, and Ibn Jawzi (d. 741 Hijri), in his interpretation of verse 25 of the chapter of al-Hadid, ascribe the same meaning to the balance. Ibn Jawzi says, “The balance is what people use to measure weight. It is also narrated that Gabriel brought the balance to earth, gave it to Noah, and said, ‘Tell your people they are commanded to measure things with it.’”

Al-Naisabouri (d. 850 Hijri), Muhiyi al-Din Al’aiji (d. 905 Hijri), Zakaria al-Ansari (d. 926 Hijri), al-'Aqam (d. 999 Hijri), and Ibn Ashur (d. 1393 Hijri) all agree that the balance is intended to mean the physical scale.

Ibn Ashur comments on the verse ﴾We will set up the scales of justice for the Day of Resurrection, so that no soul will suffer the least injustice﴿, saying,

“Scholars disagree about the intended meaning of the scales in this verse. Most exegetes suggest that it refers to the physical scales, and that, on the Day of Resurrection, Allah will use the scales to measure people’s deeds. Some suggest that there is a special scale for every person. The evidence for this is that Allah uses the plural form when He says, ﴾As for he whose scales are heavy. He will be in a pleasant life﴿ (Holy Quran 101: 6-7).

 

Others suggest that there is only one scale for measuring everyone’s deeds, and that Gabriel will carry this scale. Thus, the use of the plural form is thought to be intended to refer to the one scale for all people. However, all exegetes agree that the scale that will be used by Allah goes with the glory of that day, so it is unlike the scales used in worldly life, but it has the same mechanism."

 

④ The metaphorical, comprehensive meaning of the balance:

Sayyid Qutb (d. 1387 Hijri) believes that the balance is metaphorical, as he says,

“All the messengers were sent by Allah to set up a universal standard for evaluating acts, events, issues, and people. Humanity is required to adopt the balance as a basic principle in life in order to regulate between the consequences of people’s various and changing moods and inclinations, and conflict of interests. This is because the balance cannot be biased in favor of anyone, as it is a divine criterion of judgement for all people. It also never permits injustice, for the Almighty is the Lord of all people."^[2]

⑤ The Book and the balance as two terms for the same reference:

Imam al-Hasan al-Basri subscribes to this view and says, “They are one and the same.”

⑥ The balance refers to sound reasoning:

Zakaria al-Ansari (d. 926 Hijri) and al-Qasimi (d. 1332 Hijri) subscribe to this view. Al-Ansari says, “The balance refers to reason.”

 

Some sayings by exegetes regarding the scales of justice which will be established on Doomsday:

The scales is used seven times in the Holy Quran:
 

• ﴾We will set up the scales of justice for the Day of Resurrection, so that no soul will suffer the least injustice. And even if it be the weight of a mustard-seed, We will bring it up. Sufficient are We as Reckoners﴿ (Holy Quran 21: 47)
• ﴾The scales on that Day will be just. Those whose weights are heavy—it is they who are the winners. But as for those whose weights are light—it is they who have lost their souls, because they used to mistreat Our revelations﴿ (Holy Quran 7: 8-9)
• ﴾When the Horn is blown, no relations between them will exist on that Day, and they will not ask about one another. Those whose scales are heavy—those are the successful. But those whose scales are light—those are they who have lost their souls; in Hell they will dwell forever﴿ (Holy Quran 23: 101-3)
• ﴾As for he whose scales are heavy. He will be in a pleasant life. But as for he whose scales are light. His home is the Abyss﴿ (Holy Quran 101: 6-9).

Muqatil (d. 150 Hijri) says, “This means that Allah will measure people’s deeds using the scales of justice.”

Yahya bin Salam (d. 200 Hijri) comments on the verse ﴾We will set up the scales of justice﴿, saying, “The scales means justice.

It has been narrated on the authority of Hammad that Thabit al-Banani narrated that Abi Othman al-Nahdi heard Salman al-Farisi say, “The scales will be established on Doomsday. The heavens and the earth will sit upon them. The angels will say, ‘O Lord! What is this?’ He will say, ‘I use it to measure the deeds of whoever I want.’”^[3]

In his interpretation of the Holy Quran, Abd al-Razaq al-Sana’ni (d. 211 Hijri) suggests that the scales mean justice.

Mujahid says that these scales are used metaphorically. He also narrated that Abd al-Samad said that he heard Wahab say, “One’s last deeds are the ones that will be measured.” However, most exegetes think that all deeds will be measured, as evidenced by the verse: ﴾We will set up the scales of justice for the Day of Resurrection, so that no soul will suffer the least injustice. And even if it be the weight of a mustard-seed, We will bring it up. Sufficient are We as Reckoners﴿ (Holy Quran 21: 47). All the other verses mentioned in this regard support this claim.

In his interpretation of the Holy Quran, al-Tabari (d. 310 Hijri) quotes Ibn Abbas’ commentary on this verse,

“It is similar to another verse: ﴾The scales on that Day will be just﴿ (Holy Quran 7: 8). Allah will serve justice as He measures the people’s good deeds and evil ones. Those whose good deeds are greater than their evil ones will have heavy weights. Thus, their good deeds take away their evil ones. However, those whose evil deeds are greater than their good ones will have light weights and will dwell in Hell. Their evil deeds nullify their good ones”.^[4]

In his interpretation, Imam al-Matridi (d. 333 Hijri) quotes al-Hassan al-Basri, “The scale has two scale pans for measuring good and evil deeds. Those who have ﴾heavy weights﴿ will go to Heaven, while those who have ﴾light weights﴿ will go to Hell.” He goes on to say that other exegetes suggest that the scales refers directly to good and evil deeds. Those whose good deeds are greater than their evil deeds will go to Heaven, while those whose evil deeds are greater than their good deeds will go to Hell.”

Imam al-Matridi comments on both views, saying,

“Al-Hassan’s interpretation is not sound. The Almighty said ﴾Those whose weights are heavy—it is they who are the winners﴿ (Holy Quran 7: 8). When a scale pan loses weight the other will be tipped, and the Almighty said, ﴾But as for those whose weights are light—it is they who have lost their souls because they used to mistreat Our revelations﴿ (Holy Quran 7: 9).

“On the other hand, the other view is also unsound. The verse refers to the believers and the unbelievers. A believer’s evil deed can never outweigh his faith, and an unbeliever’s good deed can never outweigh his belief in polytheism. However, believers’ good deeds, apart from their faith, will be measured against their evil ones. Similarly, unbelievers’ evil deeds, apart from their being polytheists, will be measured against their good ones. Their good deeds will be nullified because Allah will have already granted them His provision in the worldly life.”^[5]

Al-Matridi gives a third view, saying,

“The intended meaning of the scales may be the books, mentioned in other verses, that will be given to the believers in their right hands and to others in their left hands, or behind their backs. Accordingly, these books are the ones that will be weighed justly.”

He also adds a fourth perspective, that perhaps the scales means upholding justice. This is because the Almighty says, ﴾We will establish the scales of justice﴿ (Holy Quran 21: 47), rather than saying measure justly with scales, for example.^[6]

In his commentary on the verse, ﴾the scales on that Day will be just﴿ (Holy Quran 7: 8), al-Matridi says, “It means that penalties will be just, or the scales may refer to the criteria for measurement.”

Mekki bin Abi Talib al-Qaisi (d. 437 Hijri) shares these perspectives with al-Matridi in his interpretation of ﴾We will establish the scales of justice﴿ (Holy Quran 21: 47).^[7]

In his book of exegesis, Ibn Hazm (d. 456 Hijri) says, “Those who have equal weights – whose good deeds and evil deeds are equal – are the people of al-A’raf (the Elevations).”

In his commentary on this verse, Imam al-Razi (d. in 606 Hijri) raises two issues. Firstly, he says that establish means bring up. Alfarra’ said that justice is the quality of the scales.

Secondly, he says that there are two perspectives on the meaning of establish the scales. First, Mujahid says, “The scales is used metaphorically. The intended meaning is justice.” Qatadah and Aldahak subscribe to this perspective. However, some righteous predecessor Imams suggest that the Almighty will set up real scales for measuring people’s deeds. Al-Hasan said, “It is a scale that has two scale pans and a tongue, and it will be carried by Gabriel.”

There are also two views on how deeds will be measured.

First, the books which will be given to people will be weighed. Second, there will be glittering, white gems in the scale pan of good deeds and dim, black gems in the scale pan of evil deeds.

In his book of interpretation, al-Qurtubi (d. 671 Hijri) says,

“The scales is the plural form of scale, and therefore as everyone is held accountable for their deeds, each will have a scale for measuring his deeds, with a scale pan for good deeds and another for evil ones. It is also said that every person will have a set of scales, each designed for measuring a particular type of deeds. There might be one scale for every person, and the plural form the scales may refer to a single scale.” He also includes the previously mentioned perspectives.

In his book of interpretation, Ibn Jawzi (d. 741 Hijri) says,

“The Sunnis agree that, on Doomsday, there will be a true scale that has two scale pans, a tongue, and a post for measuring deeds. Heaviness and lightness are associated with physical objects, either the books, which will be given to people, or whatever the Almighty may desire. The Mu’tazilah [a sect that introduced speculative dogmatics into Islam] suggest the scales is a metaphor for just penalties on Doomsday.”

 

In conclusion, exegetes have varying perspectives about the meaning of the scales. However, most exegetes believe that there will be true scales, but we do not have any idea about how deeds will be measured, or what the scales would look like, as it is not mentioned in the Holy Quran or the Holy Sunnah. It is certain that the scales will be set up with the purpose of doing all people justice, so that no soul will suffer the least injustice, even if it be the weight of a mustard-seed.^[8]