What is the Mizan in Islam?

A real scale of perfect justice

The word "mizan" means scale or balance. The Quran mentions the weighing of deeds many times, and Sunni scholars hold that it is a real scale, though we don't know how it works. Some scholars say deeds themselves take a form that can be weighed; others mention the records or even the person. What matters is the message: every action counts.

The same verse continues that even a deed the weight of a mustard seed will be brought forward. The Quran also says that those whose scales are heavy are the successful ones (Quran 7:8).

Small words, heavy weight

Some deeds that seem tiny weigh a lot on that day:

• Two light phrases. The Prophet ﷺ said two phrases are light on the tongue, heavy on the scale and beloved to Allah: "Subhan Allahi wa bihamdihi, Subhan Allahil-'Azim" (Sahih al-Bukhari 7563).
• Alhamdulillah. He said "Alhamdulillah" fills the scale (Sahih Muslim 223). See What does "Alhamdulillah" mean and when do I say it?
• Good character. Nothing is heavier on a believer's scale than good character (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2002).

The card that outweighed everything

In a well-known hadith, a man is shown ninety-nine scrolls of sins, each stretching as far as the eye can see. Then a small card is brought out with his testimony of faith, "La ilaha illa Allah". The card is placed on the scale and outweighs all the scrolls (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2639). Scholars explain that this shows the enormous weight of sincere faith.

Your good intentions count too

Allah is generous in how He records deeds. A good deed you intend but can't do is still written as a good deed, while a bad thought you don't act on is not counted against you. See Will Allah punish me for my intrusive thoughts? Wrongs done to others, however, can take from your good deeds, so settling debts and apologising now matters.