A further question presents itself: what, exactly, will be weighed? The outward sense of this ḥadith suggests that the very person will be placed on the Scale, becoming heavier or lighter in proportion to his deeds.

Some scholars, however, maintain that what is weighed are the scrolls of one’s deeds: the scrolls of misdeeds are set in one pan and the scrolls of good deeds in the other, and the judgment follows whichever side proves heavier.

Others have said that it is the deeds themselves that are weighed. Allah, Exalted is He, says: “So whoever does an atom’s weight of good shall see it” (al-Zalzalah 99:7), attributing the weighing to the deed. He also says: “Even if it be the weight of a mustard seed, We shall bring it forth” (al-Anbiyāʾ 21:47). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) declared: “Two phrases that are light upon the tongue yet heavy on the Scale and beloved to the Most Merciful: Subḥān Allāh wa bi-ḥamdih (Glorified is Allah and all praise is His); Subḥān Allāh al-ʿAẓīm (Glorified is Allah the Magnificent).” His statement “heavy on the Scale” indicates that it is the deed that is weighed. This is the apparent purport of both the Qur’an and the Sunnah, though it is also possible that both are weighed—that the deeds themselves are weighed and the scrolls that record them are weighed as well.

The ḥadith further cautions against a person’s caring only for himself—meaning, for the comfort of his body. Sound reason dictates that one should be far more concerned with the felicity of the heart. A heart finds true bliss through its primordial disposition, namely by adhering to the religion of Allah. When the heart enjoys well-being, the body follows suit; the reverse, however, is not the case.