Hadith #7796

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Arabic phrase

ثَقِّلُوا مَوازِينَكُمْ بِالعَمَلِ الصَّالِحِ

from the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) translates to

Make your weighing scales heavy with righteous acts

in English. Let us now delve into the significance of this statement in light of the Quran.

The concept of weighing scales is a metaphor used in the Quran to represent the Day of Judgment, where our deeds will be weighed to determine our ultimate fate. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Anbiya (21:47),

And We shall set up balances of justice on the Day of Resurrection, then none will be dealt with unjustly in anything. And if there be the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it. And sufficient are We as Reckoners.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to make our weighing scales heavy with righteous acts. This means that we should strive to accumulate as many good deeds as possible in order to attain success in the Hereafter. The emphasis here is not just on performing good deeds, but on ensuring that they are of high quality and sincerity.

The Quran provides numerous examples of righteous acts that can contribute to the heaviness of our scales. For instance, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:83), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) mentions the importance of fulfilling our obligations, being kind to our parents, and giving charity. These acts of righteousness, when performed with a pure intention and sincerity, have the potential to tip the scales in our favor on the Day of Judgment.

Furthermore, the Quran emphasizes the significance of acts of worship such as prayer, fasting, and pilgrimage. In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:45), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allah].

These acts of worship not only strengthen our connection with Allah, but they also have a transformative effect on our character, making us more conscious of our actions and their impact on others.

In addition to individual acts of righteousness, the Quran also highlights the importance of social justice and compassion towards others. In Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:8), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah, witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness.

By standing up for justice and treating others with fairness and kindness, we contribute to the weight of our scales in a meaningful way.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice to make our weighing scales heavy with righteous acts serves as a reminder for us to prioritize our actions and intentions in this world. It is not enough to simply go through the motions of performing good deeds; we must strive for excellence and sincerity in all that we do. By doing so, we not only secure our own salvation but also inspire others to follow the path of righteousness.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of accumulating righteous acts in order to make our weighing scales heavy on the Day of Judgment. By performing acts of worship, fulfilling our obligations, practicing social justice, and showing compassion towards others, we can ensure that our scales are tipped in our favor. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to fill our scales with righteous acts and grant us success in the Hereafter.