When the Striking Calamity Strikes — The Day That Resets All Scales
tadabbur
Level: basic
akhirah
td-080
فَأَمَّا مَن ثَقُلَتۡ مَوَٰزِينُهُۥ فَهُوَ فِي عِيشَةٍ رَّاضِيَةٍ
— القارعة 6
Verse: "Whoever's scales are heavy — he will be in a pleasing life. Whoever's scales are light — his refuge is the Abyss." (101:6-9)
Heavy and light scales: The afterlife scale reverses this world's scales — one who was heavy in wealth but light in obedience will have a light scale; one who was poor but heavy in faith and deeds will have a heavy scale.
"His refuge is the Abyss": His "mother" = his dwelling and shelter — like a mother who embraces. The Abyss (hellfire) — as if the disobedient's embracing "mother" is the fire. A painful image.
Lesson: One true measurement on the correct scale reverses every distorted worldly measurement.
Source: Ibn Kathir (8/428); Al-Sadi; Al-Qurtubi (20/157)
Question: How does the afterlife scale reverse worldly scales according to Surah Al-Qari'a?
Answer: This world: wealth and status are heavy. Hereafter: faith and good deeds are heavy — the worldly-wealthy may have lighter scales than the poor believer.