151 Page Notes

07 Surah Al-Araf

Page 151 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

7:1

7:2

7:3

7:4

7:5

7:6

7:7

7:8

7:9

7:10

7:11

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 151 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 151 of the Quran marks the beginning of Surah Al-A'raf (The Heights), spanning from verse 1 through 11. This Makkan section introduces the fundamental themes of divine revelation, accountability, the weighing of human deeds, cosmic history, and the ultimate creation and status of humanity.

Prophetic traditions (Hadiths) and the Sunnah contextualize and explain these core theological concepts.

1. Al-Mizan (The Divine Scale) and the Weighing of Deeds

“And the weighing [of deeds] that Day will be the truth. So those whose scales are heavy - it is they who will be the successful. And those whose scales are light - they are the ones who will have lost themselves for what injustice they were doing toward Our verses.” — Surah Al-A'raf (7:8-9)

Classical exegesis connects these verses to several well-known authentic (Sahih) Hadiths that explain what specifically makes a person's cosmic scales heavy on the Day of Judgment.

A. Words that are Heavy on the Scale

The Prophet Muhammad taught that simple phrases of remembrance (dhikr) hold massive physical weight on the Day of Judgment, reflecting the literal nature of the scale mentioned in Verse 8.

• Hadith: Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet said:
  "There are two expressions which are very easy on the tongue, very heavy on the scale, and very dear to the Most Gracious: 'Subhan Allahi wa bihamdihi' (Glory be to Allah and His is the praise) and 'Subhan Allahil-Azim' (Glory be to Allah, the Most Supreme)." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 6406 / Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2694)

B. Good Character Weighing the Heaviest

While rituals carry immense value, the Sunnah establishes that ethical behavior and personal character are the weightiest assets on a believer's scale.

• Hadith: Abu al-Darda reported that the Prophet said:
  "Nothing is weightier on the Scale of Deeds of a believer on the Day of Resurrection than good character (Husn al-Khuluq). Allah detests an obscene, shameful person." (Jami` at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2002; graded Sahih)

C. Internal Sincerity and the "Scrolls vs. Card" (Hadith al-Bitaqah)

To explain how scales become heavy or light (Verses 8-9), scholars frequently cite a foundational tradition demonstrating that pure Tawhid (monotheism/sincerity) can outweigh a lifetime of sins.

• Hadith: Abdullah bin 'Amr bin al-'As narrated that the Messenger of Allah explained how a man will be brought forth on the Day of Judgment with 99 scrolls of bad deeds, each scroll stretching as far as the eye can see. A small card (bitaqah) bearing the testimony “La ilaha illallah, wa anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluhu” will be brought out.
  The Prophet said: "The scrolls will be put on one side of the scale and the card on the other. The scrolls will turn out to be light and the card will outweigh them, for nothing can outweigh the Name of Allah." (Jami` at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2639; graded Sahih)

2. The Abundance of Earthly Provisions and Gratitude

“And We have certainly established you upon the earth and made for you therein ways of livelihood. Little are you grateful.” — Surah Al-A'raf (7:10)

This verse acts as a reminder of the cosmic balance and physical ecosystem provided by God for human survival. The Sunnah emphasizes transforming these daily physical provisions (rizq) into spiritual rewards through the simple expression of gratitude.

• Hadith: Anas bin Malik reported that the Messenger of Allah said:
  "Indeed, Allah is pleased with the servant who eats a meal and praises Him for it, or takes a drink and praises Him for it." (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2734)

3. The Grand Design: The Creation of Mankind

“And We have certainly created you, [O Mankind], and given you [human] form. Then We said to the angels, 'Prostrate to Adam'...” — Surah Al-A'raf (7:11)

Verse 11 summarizes the physical fashioning and spiritual honoring of humanity’s progenitor, Prophet Adam.

The Composition of Adam's Form

The Sunnah provides explicit details regarding how humanity was created from the earth, explaining the diversity explicitly hinted at in the text.

• Hadith: Abu Musa al-Ash'ari narrated that the Prophet said:
  "Allah created Adam from a handful of dust taken from all over the earth. Thus, the children of Adam vary in accordance with the earth: some are red, white, black, or a mixture, and some are gentle, harsh, evil, or good." (Jami` at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2955 / Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith 4693; graded Sahih)