ALMAHDI, WICKHAM ROAD, FAREHAM, HANTS, PO17 5BU

QIYAMAH

THE JUDGEMENT DAY 

No. 17

NAAMA-E-A’MAAL (SCROLL OF DEEDS)

The second stage will be of ‘Naama-e-A’maal’ meaning ‘Scroll of deeds’ that will be shown to the people.

“Indeed it is We who revive the dead, and write what they have sent ahead and their effects (which they left behind), and We have figured everything in a manifest Imam”. (36:12)

Let us first see why this particular verse was revealed?  One of the tribes of Ansaar known as Bani Salamah resided far away from Masjid al-Nabawi so they complained to the Holy Prophet (saww) that it was very difficult for them to participate in congregational prayers. Thus this verse was revealed to encourage them that whosoever takes any step in the cause of Allah (SWT), the reward of every step taken shall be written. (Majma’ al-Bayaan) In other words, the traces, which one leaves behind whilst striving in the cause of Allah (SWT), shall also be rewarded.

In this verse, there are two things that have been mentioned, which we must understand. Firstly, Allah (SWT) says: ‘We write what they have sent ahead and their effects’. This has different meanings: Some Mufassireen write that: ‘What they have sent ahead’, refers to the ‘Deeds’ and ‘their effects’ refers to the traces of those deeds. Some state that ‘What they have sent ahead’, refers to the intentions and ‘their effects’ refers to the performance of deeds that were intended. And others are of the opinion ‘What they have sent ahead’ refers to the bad deeds and ‘there effects’ refers to the steps and measures taken in the performance of those bad deeds. All these interpretations are correct and apply to us. Therefore, we should: Be very careful of our intentions and actions that follow; Strive to do good acts however much difficult they may be; and keep away from bad deeds lest we are also held accountable for their traces.  Secondly, Allah (SWT) says: “And We have figured everything in a manifest Imam”. What is the meaning of Manifest Imam? Once again, there are different interpretations for this and all of them are correct. Some Mufassireen write that it means ‘Lawhe Mahfoodh’. This is that protected tablet on which, with the infinite knowledge of Allah (SWT), everything that will happen in this life has already been written; Some say that it refers to ‘Naama-e-A’maal’, ‘the scroll of deeds’, which is a very clear book of records of our deeds; And in many traditions, Manifest Imam is in reference to an infallible Imam, who, by the knowledge acquired through Allah (SWT) and His Prophet (saww), speaks the truth. Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (as) has been reported saying: “I am by Allah the manifest Imam! I distinguish between the truth and falsehood, and I inherited this from the Messenger of Allah”. (Payaam-e-Quran)

mulla@almahdi.org.uk