Tafsir of Al-Qari`ah 101:6

Al-Qāri'ah (The Calamity): (6) As for him whose scales are heavy...

The Almighty, after describing the Day of Resurrection, divided people into two groups concerning that Day. He said: {As for him whose scales are heavy} (69:6).

Know that there are two opinions regarding the meaning of al-mawāzīn (scales):

1. It is the plural of mawzūn (that which is weighed): This refers to the deeds that have weight and significance with God. This is the view of Al-Farra'. He said its parallel is when one says: "I have a dirham bi-mīzān (by the measure of) your dirham," or "my house bi-mīzān (by the measure of) your house," meaning equivalent to it.
2. It is the plural of mīzān (scale): Ibn Abbas said: The scale has a tongue (pointer) and two pans. Nothing is weighed in it except deeds. The good deeds of the obedient person are brought forth in the most beautiful form. If they outweigh (the bad deeds), Paradise is his. The evil deeds of the disbeliever are brought forth in the ugliest form, so their weight becomes light, and he enters the Fire. Al-Hasan said: The scale has two pans, but its nature is not described.

The Scholastics (Mutakallimūn) stated that the essence of good deeds and evil deeds themselves cannot be correctly weighed, especially since they have already passed. Rather, what is meant is one of the following:

• The scrolls upon which the good and evil deeds are written are weighed.
• Light is made the sign of good deeds, and darkness the sign of evil deeds.
• The scroll of good deeds is depicted in a beautiful form, and the scroll of evil deeds in an ugly form. Thus, heaviness and lightness become apparent.
• The benefit of this is the manifestation of the state of the owner of good deeds before the great assembly, increasing his joy, and the manifestation of the state of the owner of evil deeds, which serves as a disgrace for him before the creatures.

(7) So he will be in a pleasing life.