and every person We have fastened his record to his neck (Al-Isrāʾ 17:13). Then his book will be brought out and it will be said, “Read your book! Today you yourself are sufficient as a reckoner against you” (Al-Isrāʾ 17:14). He will read it, and every deed he ever committed will become clear. When this unrolled book is presented, some people will take it in their right hand, while others will take it in their left, from behind their backs.

As for the one who receives his book in his right hand—may Allah place us among them—he will say to the people, “Here, read my book!” (Al-Ḥāqqah 69:19). He will show it off, overjoyed and delighted with the grace Allah has bestowed upon him. But the one who is given his book in his left hand will say, crushed by sorrow and anxiety, “Would that I had never been given my book” (Al-Ḥāqqah 69:25).

Another matter that must be affirmed about that Day is the Reckoning: that Allah, exalted is He, will call all creatures to account, as He says, “Even if it be the weight of a mustard seed, We shall bring it forth, and sufficient are We as Reckoners” (Al-Anbiyāʾ 21:47); and He says, “He will then receive an easy reckoning” (Al-Inshiqāq 84:8). Allah will indeed reckon with all creation, but the believer’s reckoning will be gentle, without exhaustive interrogation. Allah will draw His believing servant close, veil him with His mercy, and remind him of his sins, saying, “Do you remember such-and-such?” until he confesses them all. Then Allah—mighty and majestic is He—will say, “I concealed them for you in the world, and today I forgive you.” How many, indeed, are the sins that