The Scrolls of Deeds and Their Presentation

 

In Islam, the belief in the Day of Judgment (Yawm al-Qiyamah) is fundamental to understanding the eternal life that follows death. Every individual will be judged based on their deeds, and their actions in this world will be recorded meticulously in scrolls (sijill), which will be presented to them on the Day of Judgment.

The Scrolls of Deeds are central to the process of accountability, where every individual will face the results of their actions, whether good or bad, in the presence of Allah.

The Quran and the Hadith literature provide a wealth of guidance and insight into the concept of these scrolls, how deeds are recorded, and how they are presented before the individuals.

This blog post will explore the importance of the Scrolls of Deeds in the Hereafter, the recording of deeds, and the consequences that result from the presentation of these scrolls. We will also discuss the mercy of Allah and how it can affect the outcome of this presentation.

The Concept of the Scrolls of Deeds

 

In Islam, it is believed that every action, no matter how small or large, is recorded by Allah’s angels in a book or scroll. These scrolls are a form of documentation of a person’s actions and are presented to them on the Day of Judgment.

Recording of Deeds: The Role of the Angels

Allah has appointed angels to record the deeds of every person. These angels are known as the Kiraman Katibin (the noble scribes). Their duty is to keep a detailed record of all actions—both good and bad—that a person performs during their lifetime. The Quran describes this process in the following verses:

Surah Qamar (54:52-53):
“وَفِى كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ فَعَلُونَ بِهِۦ فَتَرَىٰٓ كُلَّ شَىْءٍۢ يُحْصَىٰ فِى كِتَابٍۢ مُّبِينٍۢ”
“And everything they did is in written records, and everything they did is written in a clear book.”
(Qamar 54:52-53)

This verse emphasizes that every action, whether it is performed openly or secretly, is meticulously recorded in a clear book by the angels. It implies that nothing escapes the attention of Allah, and every deed, big or small, is taken into account.

The Book of Deeds: The Presentation

The concept of the Scrolls of Deeds also reflects the notion that each individual will be presented with their book of deeds on the Day of Judgment. These scrolls will detail every action and word that a person has done throughout their lifetime. The Quran speaks about the presentation of the deeds in several verses.

In Surah Al-Infitar (82:10-12), Allah says:


“وَإِنَّ عَلَيْكُمْ لَحَٰفِظِينَ * كِرَٰمًۭا كَٰتِبِينَ * يَعْلَمُونَ مَا تَفْعَلُونَ”
“And indeed, over you are appointed angels, noble and recording; they know whatever you do.”
(Al-Infitar 82:10-12)

This verse reinforces the idea that there are angels who are tasked with recording the deeds of individuals. The use of the terms “noble” and “recording” signifies the importance and precision with which these deeds are documented.

The Accountability of Every Word and Action

The Presentation of the Scrolls on the Day of Judgment

 

On the Day of Judgment, the scrolls of deeds will be presented to each person. For the believers, the presentation of the scroll will be a cause for joy, while for the disbelievers or wrongdoers, it will be a moment of terror and regret. The manner in which the scrolls are presented plays a significant role in determining the fate of individuals.

The Presentation of the Scrolls for the Believers

For the believers, the presentation of the Scrolls of Deeds will be a cause of happiness and pride. In the Quran, Allah mentions that the righteous will be given their book of deeds in their right hand. In Surah Al-Haaqqa (69:19-20), Allah says:


“فَأَمَّا مَنۡ أُوتِىَ كِتَٰبَهُۥ بِيَمِينِهِۦ فَيَقُولُ هَآؤُمَا قَرَءُوا۟ كِتَٰبِيهُۥ”
“Then as for he who is given his record in his right hand, he will say, ‘Here, read my record.'”
(Haaqqa 69:19-20)

This verse reflects the happiness of the righteous when they receive their deeds in their right hand. The right hand symbolizes a positive and blessed outcome, as it is traditionally associated with what is good and virtuous in Islam.

The Presentation of the Scrolls for the Wrongdoers

In contrast, those who are destined for punishment will receive their book of deeds in their left hand or behind their backs, signifying their failure to perform righteous deeds. The Quran also describes the fate of these individuals:

In Surah Al-Isra (17:13-14), Allah says:


“وَنَجْعَلُ فِي يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ وَجْهَ أَمْرٍ ۖ يَوْمَ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ فِى كِتَٰبِهِۦ لِيُفَجَّرَ فُؤَادُ فِى عَيْنَيْهِۦ”
“And We will place a weight of the book of deeds, then We shall make it heavy against the evil ones.”
(Al-Isra 17:13-14)

This verse underlines that the evil doers will receive their deeds in the left hand and will be subjected to the consequences of their bad actions.

The Reward for Good Deeds and the Consequence of Bad Deeds

 

The scrolls of deeds will not just contain a record of actions but will also serve as the basis for determining the eternal fate of an individual. Good deeds will be rewarded, and bad deeds will have consequences, as the following verses highlight:

The Reward for Good Deeds

The Quran emphasizes that good deeds will be rewarded with unimaginable blessings. For example, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:261), Allah says:


“مَّثَلُ الَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَكُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ حَبَّةٍۢ أَنْبَتَتْ سَبْعَ سُنبُلٍۢ فِى كُلِّ سُنبُلَةٍۢ مِّنْهَا مِيَّتُ حَبَّةٍۢ”
“The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like that of a seed which sprouts seven ears, in each ear is a hundred grains.”
(Al-Baqarah 2:261)

This verse showcases the immense reward for those who perform good deeds, particularly those involving charity or acts of kindness in the name of Allah. The reward will be multiplied many times over.

The Consequence of Bad Deeds

On the other hand, bad deeds will lead to punishment unless Allah’s mercy intervenes. In Surah Az-Zalzalah (99:7-8), Allah says:


“فَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍۢ خَيْرًۭا يَرَهُۥ * وَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍۢ شَرًۭا يَرَهُۥ”
“So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.”
(Al-Zalzalah 99:7-8)

Even the smallest bad deed will be presented before the individual, and it will not go unnoticed. These deeds will be weighed and will play a role in determining whether the individual is deserving of Allah’s mercy or punishment.

The Mercy of Allah in the Presentation of Deeds

 

The mercy of Allah is an essential aspect of the weighing and presentation of deeds. Despite the thorough and precise nature of the judgment, Allah’s mercy is the key factor that can alter the course of a person’s fate. It is through Allah’s mercy that many sinners will be forgiven, even if their deeds are not enough to guarantee them entry into Paradise.

Allah’s Mercy in the Quran

In Surah Az-Zumar (39:53), Allah says:


“قُلۡ يَٰعِبَادِىَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا۟ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِۦٓ لَا تَقْنَطُوا۟ مِن رَّحْمَةِ اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًۭا ۖ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ”
“Say, ‘O My servants who have harmed yourselves by your own actions, do not despair of Allah’s mercy. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.'”
(Az-Zumar 39:53)

This verse is a reminder that, despite our shortcomings, Allah’s mercy is greater than our sins. Those who sincerely repent and turn to Allah will find His mercy outweighing the consequences of their actions.

Conclusion: The Scrolls of Deeds and Our Fate

 

In conclusion, the Scrolls of Deeds serve as a crucial element in the process of accountability on the Day of Judgment. Each individual’s actions, whether good or bad, are meticulously recorded by the angels and presented to them for judgment. The righteous will receive their deeds in their right hand, a symbol of success, while the wrongdoers will receive theirs in their left hand or behind their back, symbolizing failure and punishment.

The Quran reminds us that every small action is recorded, and nothing goes unnoticed by Allah:


“وَإِنَّ عَلَيْكُمْ لَحَٰفِظِينَ * كِرَٰمًۭا كَٰتِبِينَ * يَعْلَمُونَ مَا تَفْعَلُونَ”
(Al-Infitar 82:10-12)
“And indeed, over you are appointed angels, noble and recording; they know whatever you do.”

In the face of our deeds, we must not forget the mercy of Allah, which has the power to forgive even the gravest sins if we repent sincerely. As stated in the Quran:


“قُلۡ يَٰعِبَادِىَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا۟ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِۦٓ لَا تَقْنَطُوا۟ مِن رَّحْمَةِ اللَّهِ”
(Az-Zumar 39:53)
“Say, ‘O My servants who have harmed yourselves by your own actions, do not despair of Allah’s mercy.'”

Thus, while our deeds will be judged, we should always strive for righteousness, with the hope that Allah’s mercy will grant us eternal success in the Hereafter.

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