{"id":52263,"date":"2022-08-13T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-08-13T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iumsonline.cloud\/2022\/08\/13\/the-balance\/"},"modified":"2022-08-13T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2022-08-13T00:00:00","slug":"the-balance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iumsonline.cloud\/en\/2022\/08\/13\/the-balance\/","title":{"rendered":"The Balance"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Balance<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The dictionary definition of the balance<\/em> – almeizan <\/em>in Arabic – is <\/strong>an apparatus for weighing objects. The literal meaning of almeizan<\/em> is scale<\/em>, and it is derived from wazn<\/em>, the weight of an object as measured against another object, such as the act of weighing coins.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Abu Mansour said, “Arabs call the scales made of stone or metal and used for weighing dates mawazein<\/em> – the plural of meizan<\/em>. Tha’lab suggests that as Allah says <\/span><\/span>\ufd3e<\/span><\/span><\/span>As for he whose scales are heavy… But as for he whose scales are light<\/span><\/span>\ufd3f<\/span><\/span><\/span> (Holy Quran 101: 6-8), He refers to a person’s weight – a metaphor for a person’s good deeds.[1]<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/sup><\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Almuazanah<\/span><\/span><\/em> – the act of weighing – means comparing between two things. If someone has no wazn<\/em> – weight – it means he is of no importance due to his being cruel. <\/span><\/span>\ufd3e<\/span><\/span><\/span>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<\/span><\/span>\ufd3f<\/span><\/span><\/span> (Holy Quran 18: 105). Taken from the same linguistic derivative, the term Waazana<\/em> means to make two things of the same value, and Ittazana <\/em>means became straight or right.[2]<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/sup><\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In conclusion, the balance<\/em> – almeizan<\/em> – 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.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In our study we focus on this second meaning in detail, while touching on the first meaning as well.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Imam al-Ghazali gave an excellent description of the term the balance<\/em> in his interpretation of the verse, <\/span><\/span>\ufd3e<\/span><\/span><\/span>And He raised up the heaven and has set a Balance<\/span><\/span> \ufd3f<\/span><\/span><\/span> (Holy Quran 55: 7). He says, “I am absolutely certain that the balance<\/em> 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]<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/sup><\/sup><\/a> <\/sup> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

He also said, “The balance<\/em> 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]<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/sup><\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In his interpretation of the verses, <\/span><\/span>\ufd3e<\/span><\/span><\/span>It is Allah who has sent down the Book in truth and the Balance<\/span><\/span>\ufd3f<\/span><\/span><\/span> (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]<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/sup><\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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The balance<\/span><\/em><\/strong> in the Holy Quran<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The term the balance<\/em> 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.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Examples:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n