that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Indeed Allah will distinguish a man from my Ummah before all of creation on the Day of Judgement. Ninety-nine scrolls will be laid out for him, each scroll is as far as the eye can see, then He will say: 'Do you deny any of this? Have those who recorded this wronged you?' He will say: 'No, O Lord!' He will say: Do you have an excuse?' He will say: 'No, O Lord!' So He will say: 'Rather you have a good deed with us, so you shall not be wronged today." Then He will bring out a card (Bitaqah); on it will be: "I testify to La Ilaha Illallah, and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger." He will say: 'Bring your scales.' He will say: 'O Lord! What good is this card next to these scrolls?' He will say: 'You shall not be wronged.' He said: 'The scrolls will be put on a pan (of the scale), and the card on (the other) pan: the scrolls will be light, and the card will be heavy, nothing is heavier than the Name of Allah.'"
The Book on Faith - Jami' at-Tirmidhi
Hadith Reference: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2639
The Overwhelming Scrolls of Deeds
The ninety-nine scrolls represent the comprehensive record of human deeds, each extending as far as the eye can see, demonstrating the magnitude of our actions and the meticulous divine accounting. This imagery serves to humble the believer and emphasize that no deed, however small, escapes Allah's knowledge.
Allah's questioning - "Do you deny any of this?" - establishes divine justice, allowing the servant to verify the accuracy of the record. The man's admission confirms the perfection of Allah's preservation of deeds and the justice of the heavenly scribes.
The Single Card of Faith
The bitaqah (card) containing the Shahadah represents the essence of Islamic monotheism - the testimony of faith that distinguishes believers from disbelievers. Despite its physical smallness, it carries immense spiritual weight because it contains the Greatest Name of Allah.
The scale imagery demonstrates that true faith outweighs all other deeds. As scholars explain, while deeds are necessary, they derive their value from correct faith. Without the foundation of tawhid (monotheism), even numerous good deeds become worthless in the Hereafter.
Scholarly Commentary
Imam at-Tirmidhi classified this hadith as hasan gharib. Scholars note that this narration illustrates the principle that the acceptance of deeds depends on correct aqidah (creed). The Shahadah, when uttered with sincerity and acted upon, becomes the saving factor on Judgment Day.
The phrase "nothing is heavier than the Name of Allah" refers to the majesty and greatness contained in the testimony of faith. When one truly understands and implements La ilaha illallah, it transforms their entire existence and becomes the heaviest element in the spiritual balance.