Some scholars hold that deeds themselves will be weighed.

Others hold that the records of deeds will be weighed.

Still others hold that the doer himself will be weighed.

Each view has its evidence. Those who hold that deeds themselves will be weighed cite this verse: “Whoever does an atom’s weight,” for the implied meaning is: “Whoever does a deed weighing an atom.” They also cite the words of the Prophet—may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him and his family: “Two phrases are beloved to the Most Merciful, light on the tongue and heavy in the Balance: Glory be to Allah and praise be to Him; glory be to Allah, the Magnificent” (1).

A difficulty with this view, however, is that a deed is not a physical object that can be placed in the Balance; rather, it is an action that has already ended and passed away.

This may be answered as follows:

First, a person must believe what Allah Most High and His Messenger—may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him—have related concerning matters of the unseen, even if his mind is bewildered by them and he wonders, “How can this be?” He must believe, for Allah’s power is beyond anything we can imagine. A Muslim must therefore accept and submit, without asking, “How?” because matters of the unseen surpass what can be imagined.

Second, Allah Most High will transform these deeds into physical forms that can be placed in the Balance and become heavy or light. Allah Most High is able to transform intangible things into physical forms. It is authentically reported from the Prophet—may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him—that death will be brought in the form of a ram and made to stand between Paradise and Hell. It will be said, “O people of Paradise!” They will crane their necks and look. Then it will be said, “O people of Hell!” They too will crane their necks and look. They will then be asked, “Do you recognize this?” and they will say: