The Balance

The Balance

The dictionary definition of the balance – almeizan in Arabic – is an apparatus for weighing objects. The literal meaning of almeizan is scale, and it is derived from wazn, the weight of an object as measured against another object, such as the act of weighing coins.

Abu Mansour said, “Arabs call the scales made of stone or metal and used for weighing dates mawazein – the plural of meizan. Tha’lab suggests that as Allah says ﴾As for he whose scales are heavy... But as for he whose scales are light﴿ (Holy Quran 101: 6-8), He refers to a person’s weight – a metaphor for a person’s good deeds.^[1]

Almuazanah – the act of weighing – means comparing between two things. If someone has no wazn – weight – it means he is of no importance due to his being cruel. ﴾It is they who rejected the signs of their Lord, and the meeting with Him. So their works are in vain. And on the Day of Resurrection, We will consider them of no weight﴿ (Holy Quran 18: 105). Taken from the same linguistic derivative, the term Waazana means to make two things of the same value, and Ittazana means became straight or right.^[2]

In conclusion, the balance – almeizan – has two meanings. First, it is a unit for measuring weight, such as a gram and a kilogram. Second, it is the apparatus by which things are weighed and their amount and weight are defined, in terms of lightness, weight, and density, and this second meaning is the most popular use.

In our study we focus on this second meaning in detail, while touching on the first meaning as well.

Imam al-Ghazali gave an excellent description of the term the balance in his interpretation of the verse, ﴾And He raised up the heaven and has set a Balance ﴿ (Holy Quran 55: 7). He says, “I am absolutely certain that the balance is the balance needed for knowing the Almighty, the angels, the books, messengers, and His kingdom. We are required how to use this balance from the prophets, who were taught by the angels.”^[3]  

He also said, “The balance is the means for identifying the true nature of everything. It helps determine sound beliefs and is a criterion common to heaven and earth. It is a secret of divinity that is apprehended by those firmly rooted in knowledge.”^[4]

In his interpretation of the verses, ﴾It is Allah who has sent down the Book in truth and the Balance﴿ (Holy Quran 42: 17), Fakhr al-Din al-Razi (d. 606 Hijri) said, “Allah revealed the balance, which is the standard for judgement and the sound criterion”.^[5]

 

 

The balance in the Holy Quran

The term the balance and its derivatives are used twenty-three times in the Holy Quran. It refers to scales used for measuring weight and the criteria for evaluating ideas, acts, and modes of behavior.

Examples:

• ﴾And give full weight and full measure, equitably. We do not burden any soul beyond its capacity. And when you speak, be fair, even if it concerns a close relative﴿ (Holy Quran 6: 152).
• The Almighty reveals what Prophet Shuaib said to his people: ﴾Give full measure and weight, and do not cheat people out of their rights, and do not corrupt the land once it has been set right. This is better for you, if you are believers﴿ (Holy Quran 7: 85).
• In another verse, the Almighty also reveals what prophet Shuaib said to his people; ﴾Oh my people, worship Allah; you have no god other than Him. Do not short measure or short weight. I see you in good circumstances, but I fear for you the agony of an encompassing Day. Oh my people! Give full measure and full weight, in all fairness, and do not cheat the people out of their rights, and do not spread corruption in the land﴿ (Holy Quran 11: 84-5).

In these verses, the balance is used as a term for scales used for weighing objects and the criteria for rights and obligations.

In the chapter of ash-Shura (Consultation) and the chapter of al-Hadid (Iron), the Almighty shows that the Balance is revealed like the Book; ﴾It is Allah who has sent down the Book in truth and the Balance. And what will make you perceive? Perhaps the Hour is near ﴿ (Holy Quran 42: 17﴿ and ﴾Indeed We sent Our Messengers with Clear Signs, and We sent down with them the Book and the Balance that people may uphold justice ﴿ (Holy Quran 57: 25). In these two verses, the intended meaning is not the scale, for prophets had no physical scales sent to them along with the Book. However, the intended meaning of the term is the criterion that helps people recognize the Truth and understand and apply the content of divine texts, so that they have sound understanding of the events of life and set standards for behavior, with the aim of upholding justice.

The Almighty also explains that the balance is essential for the operations of the entire universe: ﴾ And He raised up the heaven and has set a Balance. That you may not transgress in the Balance ﴿ (Holy Quran 55: 7-8). ﴾And the earth - We have spread it and cast therein firmly set mountains and We grew everything in equilibrium ﴿ (Holy Quran 15: 19).

Although Allah knows all the deeds done by His servants, and the angels keep records of these deeds, ﴾Not a word does he utter, but there is a watcher by him, ready﴿ (Holy Quran 50: 18﴿, He will set the scales of justice on Doomsday; ﴾We will set up the scales of justice for the Day of Resurrection﴿ (Holy Quran 21: 47). After that, all human beings’ deeds will be weighed; ﴾Those whose scales are heavy—those are the successful. But those whose scales are light—those are they who have lost their souls; in Hell they will dwell forever﴿ (Holy Quran 23: 102-3).

Some of what the exegetes of the Holy Quran said regarding the verses in which the balance is mentioned:

① Allah says: ﴾And the earth - We have spread it and cast therein firmly set mountains and We grew everything in equilibrium ﴿ (Holy Quran 15: 19﴿. Sayyid Qutb, may Allah have mercy on him, said,

“Enormity is a recurrent contextual element in this verse. Heavens contain massive constellations, and constellations evokes the impression of something enormous. Moreover, the intended meaning of stabilizers is the huge mountains on earth. Plants are grown in equilibrium, i.e. Allah has created them most accurately, skillfully, and elegantly”.^[6]

Imam al-Razi, may Allah have mercy on his soul, said, “Exegetes disagree about the intended meaning of equilibrium, and there are four perspectives:

First, there are those who suggest that equilibrium refers to the quantities of Allah’s creation. We weigh things to know the amount necessary. It is a matter of cause and effect. They also suggest that there is evidence for this intended meaning in two verses of the Quran: ﴾And everything with Him is by due measure﴿ (Holy Quran 13: 8), and ﴾There is not a thing but with Us are its stores, and We send it down only in specific measure﴿ (Holy Quran 15: 21).

Second, worldly life is the life of cause and effect, and Allah has set sound regulations for it. Thus, He created all these types of creatures according to the balance of wisdom.

Third, grew everything in equilibrium means that Allah has created everything in the balance of wisdom and reason. Accordingly, equilibrium is a synonymy for beauty, harmony, and appropriateness.

Fourth, everything on earth can be measured. Metal, for example, can be weighed. This is also true for plants and fruits.^[7]

② Allah says: ﴾And He raised up the heaven and has set a Balance. That you may not transgress in the Balance. But weigh equitably and skimp not in the Balance ﴿ (Holy Quran 55: 7-9). In his Tafsir (Exegesis), al-Razi says, “set up the balance” is a synonym for justice: The Almighty commanded people to uphold justice and not to “transgress in the balance,” meaning to maintain fairness. Accordingly, we should replace the second meaning with the first: The first balance mentioned in the verse refers to the apparatus used for weighing, and the second refers to the act of weighing. Thus, the scale has been established so that people do not transgress in the act of measuring. As a symbol of justice, the balance means giving people their rights. Al-Razi added that, “the Almighty used the balance three times with three different meanings:

In the first instance, when Allah says that He has “set up the Balance,” the balance represents the apparatus used for measuring weight.

In the second instance, when Allah says, “that you may not transgress in the Balance,” the balance refers to the act of weighing.

In the third instance, when Allah says, “skimp not in the Balance,” the balance represents the objects being weighed.”^[8]

The balance connotes three different meanings as it encompasses all aspects of benefit. Similarly, Quran also connotes three different meanings:

First, it is the act of reading, as when Allah says, ﴾Then, when We have recited it, follow its (the Quran) recitation﴿ (Holy Quran 75: 18). Second, Quran is the content being read: ﴾Upon Us is its collection and its recitation﴿ (Holy Quran 75: 17); and third, it is the book that is being read: ﴾Even if there were a Quran, by which mountains could be set in motion, by which the earth could be shattered﴿ (Holy Quran 13: 31).

Sayyid Qutb said, “Allah set up the firmly established balance to define the principles governing people’s lives, events, and actions. The balance is part of the human nature and the divine messages revealed to prophets. After setting up the balance, the Almighty commanded His servants to commit maintain balance: ﴾so do not transgress in the balance﴿. ﴾But maintain the weights with justice, and do not violate the balance﴿. The aim of setting up the balance is to make people seek fairness in their measurements and regulate their lives in harmony with all creation.”³⁵

The Almighty said that He revealed the Book along with the balance ﴾Indeed We sent Our Messengers with Clear Signs, and We sent down with them the Book and the Balance that people may uphold justice ﴿ (Holy Quran 57: 25). This fact is also stressed in the chapter of ash-Shura (Consultation) when Allah says, ﴾It is Allah who has sent down the Book in truth and the Balance. And what will make you perceive? Perhaps the Hour is near ﴿ (Holy Quran 42: 17).