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That concrete weight (al-Wazn) will be used to measure the deeds of mankind on the Day of Resurrection is real contrary to the views of Mu'tazilites (Rationalists), which say it only means Justice of Allah.

It is compulsory to have faith in it because it is confirmed by the Holy Qur'ān, the Ħadīth and the consensus of the opinion of the scholars.

“And weight on that Day is real”. “And the weight of Justice will be placed forth on the Day of Resurrection” (Q.41:28).

“Those whose (good) deeds are weighty on that Day will be successful; and those whose (good) deeds are not weighty will be the losers”

(Q.7:8-9).

For the Prophets, the Angels and those who will enter Paradise without reckoning there will be no weight for them.

The deeds of the kāfirs will be weighed; and they will receive punishment. On the other hand Allah says: “On the Day of Resurrection, we shall not give any weight to them” (Q.18:105).

This is referring purposely to measuring the deeds of kāfirs, such as goodness to the family or kinship which will be weighed to compensate for their evil deeds.

Belief in the measurement is put in place so that every servant of Allah will be mindful of what is for him and what is against him in goodness and evil.

On resurrection, the Measurement will also make the servant see his deeds clearly form himself. It is also a sort of examination for the servant to see whether he will have faith in it even without seeing it in the present world. The similarity of the worldly events is enough for us to believe in it. We leave the truth about it to Almighty Allah.

Anyone who denies it is a kāfir.

SELF-ASSESSMENT EXERCISE

Discuss the significance of Measurement of Man’s Record (Wazn) that will take place on Resurrection.

3.3 Aş-Şirāt (Crossing the Bridge)

The literal meaning of aş- Şirāţ is path. In the Islamic eschatology it is a bridge placed on Hell. Everybody first and last will pass over it.

As for the unbelievers (Kufār, they will not be able to cross and there will be nothing for them other than to fall into its pit. Based on a report, those that will pass over it will include the Prophets, the Truthful and those who will enter paradise with no rendering of any account; all of them will experience no hardship.

The Şirāt has been described as thinner than a single hair and sharper than sword. Angels are standing by its two sides. It is like a magnet and barbed-wire more dreaded than those in this world from the beginning to the end. It is flexible; could be narrow and wide depending on the person’s deeds.

While the Sunnīs (Orthodox Muslim) confirm it, the Mu’tazilites maintains that it is only figurative. Some interpreted it to mean the Barzakh stage (the period between death and Resurrection). Obviously the existence of it as it was described will not make it possible for anyone to crossover it easily. It may be the path or a road leading to Paradise or Hell. The Sunni Muslims say its existence as described is not unacceptable to the intellect. It is compulsory to have faith in it and work in preparation for crossing over it. Allah says: “Move forward over the Şirāt.” The Prophet said: “The Şirāt Bridge will be placed over the Hell fire; I and my Ummah will be the first to cross it.”

It is compulsory to believe in the existence of Şirāt as mentioned in the Holy Qur'ān leaving the best knowledge about it to Almighty Allah.

The barbed-wire by the two sides of the Şirāt is long enough to hook any one crossing over it.

It is reported that among those who will pass safely on it are the righteous Mūmins; those that are going to be destroyed on it by falling into the abyss of fire and remaining there forever are the disbelievers and hypocrites; and those who will be living there for a while before and then being rescued are the sinners among the Mūmin.

And those that will be salvaged from the hell are those whose books of righteous deed are weighty. Some will pass over it in the twinkling of an eye; some like lightening; some like wind, and others like a flying

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bird and others like grasshoppers. Others are those who will walk and those who will crawl. Pointer to this is the injunction of Allah:

“Everyone of you will pass over it; this is a concluded issue with your Lord. Then We will save those who are pious and leave the disobedient in it on their knees” (Q.19:71-72).

SELF-ASSESSMENT EXERCISE

Give details of the belief that crossing over aş-Şirāt is verity in the Muslim eschatology.

3.4 Al-Ħawđ (The Tank or the Basin)

It is reported in Ħadīths of Bukhārī and Muslim that the Prophet said:

“My tank is a month’s journey and its surrounding is also a month’s journey. The colour of it is whiter than milk. Its odour is more fragrant than aromatic-musk. Its cups are more than number of stars in the sky. Anyone who drinks from it will not feel thirsty forever.”

There are different reports on the wideness of the Tank, its quantity and number as there are different reports regarding its time of existence. The majority’s opinion is that it will be found before passing the Şirāt for people to drink from it after coming out from the grave. Others say that it will be after passing the Şirāt, because its water is from al-Kawthar for the people to drink from it when they will be stopped after Şirāt to revenge among themselves. The Tafsīr of Qurtubī states that the tanks are two. The point however, is that every Prophet will have a tank for his community from which those who fulfill their religious obligations and are righteous will drink.

Those who will be sent away and denied drinking from it are the Kāfirs, the disobedient and those who do not believe in its existence.

The Mu’tazilites reject the view about the description of the Tank.

They say it only implied something of the pleasure of Allah which He gives to whomever He wishes among his servants. This is contrary to the text of the Ħadīth.

The truth is that the Tank or the Spring is real. To believe there is Tank of Spring for the best of the Prophets is compulsory as it is reported in the sacred texts.

SELF-ASSESSMENT EXERCISE

Summarise belief in the existence of Ħawđ for the Prophet in the hereafter.