What Is the Relationship Between the Thaqalayn and the Scale of Deeds? Are the Thaqalayn the Scale of Our Deeds?
What are the Thaqalayn [1], and is there a relationship between the Thaqalayn and the scale of our deeds? In previous lessons, we explained that the scale for evaluating a person’s deeds on the Day of Judgment is the truth [2]. The truth refers to anything that aligns with the purpose of human creation and human perfections [3]. Therefore, the more our relationships, behaviors, thoughts, and decisions are in compatibility with the truth, the sounder our heart and soul will be—and the heavier our scales of deeds will become. Since a sound heart is the only means to salvation and eternal bliss, knowing the truth and its manifestations becomes absolutely vital. But how can we act in accordance with the truth? How can we make our scales heavy with good deeds in the divine scale? The answer lies in following the Thaqalayn.
But what are the Thaqalayn? This is a question that arises in the minds of many upon hearing the term. To explain what the Thaqalayn are, we must note that the word Thaqalayn, as used in the Hadith of Thaqalayn, is derived from the root “thaqal”, meaning “weight” and “value.” In the well-known Hadith of Thaqalayn, Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him and his family) said: “Surely, I have left among you the two heavyweights: the Book of Allah, and my progeny, my Household (Ahl al-Bayt). Surely, they are the two vicegerents (khalifatan) after me. They will not separate until they return to me at the Pond [4].”
The Prophet emphasizes that as long as people hold firmly to these two, they will not go astray. In fact, it is only through following these two trustworthy sources that human beings can attain proper guidance and stay on the straight path. Conversely, relying on just one of these two scales of the truth cannot lead to full guidance. Both must be upheld together in order to achieve the intended goal—guidance aligned with the purpose of creation.
Indeed, the Thaqalayn are not only the primary guides for humanity on the path of growth and perfection, but they are also regarded as the scale for evaluating human deeds and directing humanity toward eternal bliss. The Holy Quran, as divine revelation, provides the roadmap for human life. Meanwhile, Ahl al-Bayt (Peace be upon them)—the infallible experts who possess comprehensive knowledge of the human being in all its dimensions—offer us the true interpretation of that revelation. This hadith illustrates the great importance and profound value of both the Quran and Ahl al-Bayt (Peace be upon them) as the scale and standard for assessing human actions, both in this life and the Hereafter.
What Is the Scale of Deeds, and How Is It Related to the Thaqalayn?
In general, the truth refers to that which is rightful and deserving—what nurtures our growth and leads us to the purpose of our creation. Therefore, the best action for any individual is adherence to the truth. However, acting upon the truth may vary depending on a person’s circumstances. For example, for someone whose mother is ill and in need of care, the truth dictates that they cancel their pilgrimage and stay to care for her. But for another person, going on that same pilgrimage may be the embodiment of the truth and a source of spiritual growth. Adhering to the truth fills our lives with joy, inner peace, and love. Undoubtedly, in order to act according to the truth, we must first come to know it—and to understand the truth, we need trustworthy sources to introduce it to us. This understanding lies in knowing the Thaqalayn.
To say that the scale of deeds on the Day of Judgment rests upon the truth is to affirm that the true standard and scale for evaluating deeds is none other than the Quran and the Ahl al-Bayt (Peace be upon them). The scale of a person’s deeds in the Hereafter directly depends to their understanding of the Truth. Those who follow the Quran and the Household of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon them) are closer to the truth, and their deeds will weigh heavier on the divine scale. In fact, a person who follows these two sources will experience a deep sense of satisfaction and bliss—not only in the Hereafter, but also in the life of this world.
The Holy Quran is the written manifestation of Allah—a divine text that lays out the blueprint and formulas for human life, guiding our movement toward the purpose of creation and ensuring a healthy birth into eternity. Since no one knows the human being better than his Creator, there exists no truth greater than the Word of Allah and the teachings it contains. No scale or criterion is more important or reliable than the Holy Quran.
Unfortunately, because humans have developed a flawed understanding of themselves, they propose life plans that are fundamentally different from the precise and comprehensive divine plan. These human-devised programs fail to bring us fulfillment—even in this worldly life—let alone in the Hereafter, where we seek eternal bliss and everlasting delight. The increasing and alarming rates of depression, anxiety, stress, suicide, divorce, and similar crises testify to this very reality. As the natural and empirical sciences continue to advance, and as human comfort and material conveniences multiply, we witness a decline in inner peace and in the emotional bonds between individuals. Evidently, when we lack a correct definition of the human being and fail to know his truth, then identifying the true path to bliss becomes impossible. Meanwhile, God Almighty has already provided us with all the principles and formulas necessary for success and bliss in both this world and the Hereafter—through the Holy Quran.
It is important to note that the Holy Quran is a comprehensive and specialized plan that requires explanation and clarification. After Allah, the only ones qualified to interpret it are the Infallible experts—the Prophet Muhammad’s Household (Peace be upon them). They alone possess full knowledge of every dimension of the human being and complete mastery over the Holy Quran. Moreover, the Infallibles (Peace be upon them) are the perfect manifestation of Allah’s names and attributes; thus, all their actions are in complete accordance with the truth, or rather, they are the truth itself. Accordingly, obedience to the Ahl al-Bayt (Peace be upon them) and following their lifestyle is, in fact, obedience to Allah and the Quran itself. It is the only path to fulfilling the purpose of creation and attaining eternal bliss. For this reason, the Ahl al-Bayt (Peace be upon them) are called the scale [5]—that is, they are the true criterion by which our deeds are evaluated. Therefore, when speaking of the relationship between the Thaqalayn and the scale of deeds, it must be said: the Thaqalayn are the very truth, and following them is what gives weight to our scale of deeds and leads us toward a beautiful and blissful eternity.
The Difference Between Human Scale and Divine Scale
In today’s world, many people rely on personal preferences, opinions, and individual interpretations. But can such subjective viewpoints serve as valid standards for action? Many proverbs, poems, and even widely accepted mystical teachings may carry an attractive appearance—but none of them bear the endorsement of God or the Infallibles. Imam Sadiq (Peace be upon him) states: “The Messenger of Allah said: “The continuation upon the deeds in the following of the footsteps and the Sunnah, even though they may be little, is more pleasing to Allah and beneficial with Him in the rewards than the struggle in heretical innovation (bidaʿ) and desires [6].”
This point holds particular importance for us: when we are confronted with a wide array of opinions—some of which may even be contradictory—we must place our trust solely in that which has been affirmed by God and the Infallibles. As the Quran declares in Surah al-Isrāʾ, verse 25: “Your Lord knows best what is within yourselves.” It is only those whom God has rightly guided who are capable of offering correct solutions.
In today’s world—saturated with information and conflicting viewpoints—people can easily fall into misguidance. In such circumstances, holding firmly to the Thaqalayn is the most reliable way to stay on the right path. In fact, nothing else has the power to safeguard a person from misguidance as effectively as these two invaluable sources. Thus, Thaqalayn can be defined as a luminous path to discovering the truth and living a sound, meaningful life in today’s world.
When we study the history of Islam and the life story and legacy of the Ahl al-Bayt (Peace be upon them), we see that these two sources—the Quran and the Household of the Prophet—have always served as the primary criteria and scale for resolving challenges and answering a wide range of questions. The Household of the Prophet (Peace be upon them), as the principal interpreters and conveyors of the Quran, have consistently guided humanity toward a correct understanding of divine truths and a life lived in accordance with the commands of Allah.
In this lesson, we explored the meaning of Thaqalayn and their relationship to the Scale of Deeds. We clarified the vital importance of knwoing and adhering to these two reliable sources. Ultimately, the deeds of human beings are evaluated according to their alignment with the truth—a truth that is perfectly manifested in the Quran and the Household of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon them).
References
[1]. two wighty and precious items
[2]. Quran, 7:8
[3]. Imam Ali (PBUH): “The best of actions is espousing the truth.” Ghurar al-Ḥikam wa Durar al-Kalim, trans. Sayyid Ridha Jafar, p. 1150, hadith 41.
[4]. Shaykh al-Saduq, al-Amali, trans. Bilal Muhammad, Book 1, chap. 64, hadith 15.
[5]. “Peace be upon the Scale of the deeds” Ziyarat Imam Ali (PBUH) at Najaf Shrine
[6]. Shaykh Ya‘qūb al-Kulaynī, Al-Kāfī, vol. 8, book 1, chap. 1, hadith 1, trans. Hubeali.