Al-Zalzalah (The Earthquake): (7) So whoever does an atom's weight...

Issue 1: {An atom's weight} (mithqāl dharratin)

This means the weight of an atom. Al-Kalbi said: The dharrāh (atom/particle) is the smallest ant. Ibn Abbas said: If you place your palm on the earth and then lift it, every speck of dust that sticks to it is the weight of an atom. Thus, there is no servant who does good or evil, little or much, except that Allah Almighty will show it to him.

Issue 2: Recitation of {he will see it} (yarāhu)

In a narration from 'Asim, it is recited as {yurāhu} (with a ḍammah on the yā’ - passive voice, 'it will be shown to him'). The rest of the reciters read {yarāhu} (with a fatḥah on the yā’ - active voice, 'he will see it'). Some also read it with jazm (jussive mood).

Issue 3: The Apparent Contradiction

There is a difficulty in the verse: the good deeds of a disbeliever are nullified by his disbelief, while the sins of a believer are forgiven, either initially or due to avoiding major sins. So, what is the meaning of recompense according to the weight of an atom of good and evil?

The exegetes have answered this in several ways:

1. First: Ahmad ibn Ka'b al-Qurazi said: {So whoever does an atom's weight} of good while he is a disbeliever, he will see the reward for that in this world until he meets the Hereafter, but he will have nothing in the Hereafter. This is also narrated from Ibn Abbas. Evidence supporting this interpretation is the narration that the Prophet (PBUH) said to Abu Bakr: "O Abu Bakr, whatever hardship you have experienced in this world is in exchange for the atom's weight of evil deeds, and Allah reserves the atom's weight of good deeds for you until He fully recompenses you on the Day of Resurrection."

2. Second: Ibn Abbas said: There is no believer or disbeliever who does good or evil except that Allah will show it to him. As for the believer, Allah forgives his sins and rewards him for his good deeds. As for the disbeliever, his good deeds are returned to him (i.e., nullified), and he is punished for his evil deeds.

3. Third: Although the good deeds of a disbeliever are nullified by his disbelief, the balancing (of deeds) is still considered. Those good deeds are estimated to offset the punishment due to his disbelief. The same applies to the other side (believer's sins). Thus, this does not invalidate the generality of the verse.

4. Fourth: We specify the generality of the statement {So whoever does an atom's weight of good, he will see it} by saying: It means, whoever among the fortunate does an atom's weight of good, he will see it, and whoever among the wretched does an atom's weight of evil, he will see it.

Issue 4: Where is Generosity?

Someone might ask: If the matter reaches this extent (counting every minute deed), where is the generosity?

The answer is: This is the generosity. Because even a small act of disobedience involves contempt (for Allah's command), which a generous being would not tolerate. And in obedience, there is glorification (of Allah), and even if it is small, the generous one does not let it go to waste. It is as if Allah, the Glorified and Exalted, is saying: Do not consider an atom's weight of good to be insignificant, for despite your meanness and weakness, you have not lost even an atom from Me. Rather, I considered it, looked into it, derived evidence of My Essence and Attributes from it, and used it as a vehicle by which you reached Me. If I do not waste My atom, shall I waste your atom?

Furthermore, the reality is that the intention (niyyah) and purpose (qaṣd) are what is intended. If the deed is small but the intention is pure, the goal is achieved. If the deed is large but the intention is wavering, the goal is missed.

Among the narrations supporting this is what is reported from Ka'b: "Do not belittle any act of kindness, for a man entered Paradise by lending a needle for the sake of Allah, and a woman entered Paradise by helping with a grain in the building of the House of Jerusalem."

It is also narrated from 'A'ishah: "Grapes were before her, and she offered them to some women present. A beggar came, and she ordered that a single grape from those grapes be given to him. Some of those present laughed, so she said: 'In what you see (i.e., this single grape), there are atom's weights,' and she recited this verse." Perhaps her intention was instruction, as she herself was known for extreme generosity. It is narrated that Ibn al-Zubayr sent her one hundred and eighty thousand dirhams in two saddlebags. She called for a tray and began distributing it among the people. When evening came, she said: "O maid, bring my fuṭūr (breaking of the fast)." She was brought bread and oil. It was said to her: "Did you not keep back a single dirham to buy meat for our fuṭūr?" She replied: "If you had reminded me, I would have done so."

Al-Muqatil said: This verse was revealed concerning two men. One of them was one to whom a beggar would come, and he would deem it too insignificant to give him a date, a morsel of bread, or a nut, saying, "This is nothing; we are only rewarded for what we give in large amounts." The other man would be careless about a minor sin, saying, "There is nothing against me for this; the threat of the Fire is only for major sins." So, this verse was revealed as an encouragement toward small acts of good, as they are likely to accumulate, and as a warning against minor sins, as they are likely to grow large. This is why the Prophet (PBUH) said: "Guard yourselves against the Fire, even if it is by half a date, and if one does not find that, then by a kind word."

And Allah, the Glorified and Exalted, knows best. And peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Master Muhammad and his family and companions.