Weighing of deeds

In Islam, the concept analogous to psychostasis is the weighing of deeds (Mizan) on the Day of Judgment (Yawm al-Qiyamah). The term psychostasis comes from ancient Greek and Egyptian mythology, referring to the weighing of the heart or soul after death. While the core idea of a moral balance is similar, the Islamic concept is distinct, specifically describing the weighing of a person’s life’s deeds, not the soul itself.

The Islamic Mizan (The Scale) Mizan, the Arabic word for “balance” or “scale,” is the divine apparatus of justice on the Day of Judgment.

The process: The Qur’an states that on the Day of Resurrection, God will set up “scales of justice,” and “no soul will be dealt with unjustly in the least”. All of a person’s actions, words, and intentions—even as light as a mustard seed—will be brought to account.
The outcome: The ultimate fate of a person—Paradise (Jannah) or Hellfire (Jahannam)—is determined by whether their good deeds outweigh their bad deeds or vice versa.
Symbolism and debate: Islamic scholars have debated whether the weighing is a literal physical event or a metaphor for God’s perfect justice.
- Some interpret it figuratively, meaning God will treat everyone justly by rewarding the righteous and punishing the sinful.
- Others, including those who take a more literal interpretation, believe that a person’s deeds will be given a tangible, measurable form and placed on the scale.
The role of sincerity: The weight of a good deed is determined by its quality and sincerity, not just its quantity. For example, a small charitable act given with pure intention can weigh more heavily than a large donation given without sincerity.

The soul’s journey after death

The weighing of deeds occurs after death, but it is not the first stage of the soul’s experience.

Life in the grave (Barzakh): Upon death, the soul enters an intermediate state called barzakh. Here, it will be questioned by two angels, Munkar and Nakir, about its faith.
Resurrection (Yawm al-Qiyamah): After the trumpet is blown, all human beings will be resurrected and assembled for judgment. The records of their deeds, written throughout their lives, will be presented.
Al-Mizan (The Weighing): The deeds are weighed on the scale, which determines a person’s eternal destination.
The bridge (Al-Sirat): Those who are saved will cross a narrow bridge over the fires of Hell to enter Paradise. The unrighteous will fall into Hell below.

Islamic vs. other traditions While the concept of weighing souls is a universal motif in many religions, Islam’s version is distinct from traditions like those in ancient Egypt or medieval Christianity.

Ancient Egypt: In the Book of the Dead, the deceased’s heart was weighed against the feather of Ma’at, the goddess of truth and justice, to determine entry into the afterlife.
Medieval Christianity: The Archangel Michael was often depicted weighing souls during the Last Judgment, with the devil sometimes attempting to tip the scales.

In Islam, the Mizan is a purely divine act of justice, underscoring the absolute fairness and mercy of God in determining a person’s final destination.

AI responses may include mistakes.

[1] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11047897/

[2] https://scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1010-99192014000100007

[3] https://www.whyislam.org/belief-in-judgement-day/

[4] https://hedayatcentre.org/7155/mizan/

[5] wikipedia/en/Judgement_Day_in_Islam