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Atom's Weight

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Atom's Weight

مِثْقَالِ ذَرَّةٍ

The phrase "atom's weight" (مِثْقَالِ ذَرَّةٍ, *mithqāl-i dharratin*) in the Quran serves as a profound metaphor for the smallest imaginable measure, far beyond human perception in its time. This concept beautifully illustrates Allah's absolute and comprehensive knowledge, His meticulous justice, and His unmatched power. It reminds us that nothing, no matter how tiny or seemingly insignificant, escapes His awareness and record. In the Quran, this phrase underscores the divine attribute of being the All-Knower, affirming that [not absent from your Lord is any part of an atom's weight within the earth or within the heaven or anything smaller or greater], all recorded in a clear register. This ensures that on the Day of Judgment, perfect justice will prevail, as [Allah does not do injustice, even as much as an atom's weight], and good deeds are bountifully rewarded. Moreover, it emphasizes the ultimate powerlessness of any entity besides Allah, stating that false deities [do not possess an atom's weight [of ability] in the heavens or on the earth]. The "atom's weight" thus inspires believers to live with mindfulness, knowing every action, thought, and even the most minute detail of creation is known to Allah, and [what is smaller than that or greater, except that it is in a clear register]. It's a powerful reminder of divine omnipresence and accountability.

Quran 7 verses

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَظْلِمُ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ وَإِن تَكُ حَسَنَةً يُضَٰعِفْهَا وَيُؤْتِ مِن لَّدُنْهُ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا

Innal laaha laa yazlimu misqaala zarratinw wa in taku hasanatany yudaa'ifhaa wa yu'ti mil ladunhu ajran 'azeemaa

Indeed, Allah does not do injustice, [even] as much as an atom's weight; while if there is a good deed, He multiplies it and gives from Himself a great reward.

خدا کسی کی ذرا بھی حق تلفی نہیں کرتا اور اگر نیکی (کی) ہوگی تو اس کو دوچند کردے گا اور اپنے ہاں سے اجرعظیم بخشے گا

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: The text, then, says: إِنَّ اللَّـهَ لَا يَظْلِمُ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّ‌ةٍ , (40), that is, Allah Almighty does not allow the reward of good deeds from anyone be reduced in any manner or quantity whatsoever. In fact, He adds extra rewards, in multiples, in special Divine favours, and the life of Akhirah w...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: Surely God shall not wrong anyone so much as the weight of an atom the weight of the smallest ant by diminishing thereby a person’s good deeds or increase thereby his evil deeds; and if it the atom be a good deed in taku hasanatan ‘if it be a good deed’ is also read in taku hasanatun in which case t...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Allah Wrongs Not Even the Weight of a Speck of Dust Allah states that He does not treat any of His servants with injustice on the Day of Resurrection, be it the weight of a mustard seed or a speck of dust. Rather, Allah shall reward them for this action and multiply it, if it were a good deed. For i...

وَمَا تَكُونُ فِى شَأْنٍ وَمَا تَتْلُوا۟ مِنْهُ مِن قُرْءَانٍ وَلَا تَعْمَلُونَ مِنْ عَمَلٍ إِلَّا كُنَّا عَلَيْكُمْ شُهُودًا إِذْ تُفِيضُونَ فِيهِ وَمَا يَعْزُبُ عَن رَّبِّكَ مِن مِّثْقَالِ ذَرَّةٍ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَلَآ أَصْغَرَ مِن ذَٰلِكَ وَلَآ أَكْبَرَ إِلَّا فِى كِتَٰبٍ مُّبِينٍ

Wa maa takoonu fee shaaninw wa maa tatloo minhu min quraaninw wa laa ta'maloona min 'amalin illaa kunnaa 'alaikum shuhoodan iz tufeedoona feeh; wa maa ya'zubu 'ar Rabbika mim mis qaali zarratin fil ardi wa laa fis samaaa'i wa laaa asghara min zaalika wa laaa akbara illaa fee Kitaabim Mubeen

And, [O Muhammad], you are not [engaged] in any matter or recite any of the Qur'an and you [people] do not do any deed except that We are witness over you when you are involved in it. And not absent from your Lord is any [part] of an atom's weight within the earth or within the heaven or [anything] smaller than that or greater but that it is in a clear register.

اور تم جس حال میں ہوتے ہو یا قرآن میں کچھ پڑھتے ہو یا تم لوگ کوئی (اور) کام کرتے ہو جب اس میں مصروف ہوتے ہو ہم تمہارے سامنے ہوتے ہیں اور تمہارے پروردگار سے ذرہ برابر بھی کوئی چیز پوشیدہ نہیں ہے نہ زمین میں نہ آسمان میں اور نہ کوئی چیز اس سے چھوٹی ہے یا بڑی مگر کتاب روشن میں (لکھی ہوئی) ہے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: In the fifth verse (61), mention has been made of the all-encompassing knowledge of the most exalted Allah and its unmatched multi-dimensional extensions. The address is to the Holy Prophet ﷺ . He is being told that nothing he does by way of his work or recital of the Qur'an remains hidden from Alla...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: And you O Muhammad (s) are not occupied with any business any matter nor do you recite anything regarding it that is regarding such a matter — or it means nor do you recite anything from God by way of the Qur’ān which He has revealed to you nor do you perform any action God is addressing him and his...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Everything Small or Large is within the Knowledge of Allah Allah informed His Prophet that He knows and is well acquainted with all of the affairs and conditions of him and his Ummah and all of creation and its creatures at all times -- during every hour and second. Nothing slips or escapes from His...

وَنَضَعُ ٱلْمَوَٰزِينَ ٱلْقِسْطَ لِيَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ فَلَا تُظْلَمُ نَفْسٌ شَيْـًٔا وَإِن كَانَ مِثْقَالَ حَبَّةٍ مِّنْ خَرْدَلٍ أَتَيْنَا بِهَا وَكَفَىٰ بِنَا حَٰسِبِينَ

Wa nada'ul mawaazeenal qista li Yawmil Qiyaamati falaa tuzlamu nafsun shai'aa; wa in kaana misqaala habbatim min khardalin atainaa bihaa; wa kafaa binaa haasibeen

And We place the scales of justice for the Day of Resurrection, so no soul will be treated unjustly at all. And if there is [even] the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it forth. And sufficient are We as accountant.

اور ہم قیامت کے دن انصاف کی ترازو کھڑی کریں گے تو کسی شخص کی ذرا بھی حق تلفی نہ کی جائے گی۔ اور اگر رائی کے دانے کے برابر بھی (کسی کا عمل) ہوگا تو ہم اس کو لاحاضر کریں گے۔ اور ہم حساب کرنے کو کافی ہیں

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Weighing of actions on the Day of Judgment and the scales to be used for this purpose وَنَضَعُ الْمَوَازِينَ الْقِسْطَ لِيَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ (And We shall place scales to do justice on the Day of Judgment - 21:47) The مَوَازِین word is plural of مِیزان ، which means a scale. In this verse the word i...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: And We shall set up the just balances the equitable ones for the Day of Resurrection that is on it and no soul shall be wronged in any way neither by deducting a good deed from its record nor by adding to it an evil one; and even if it the action be the weight of a single mustard seed We shall produ...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): How the Idolators are deceived by their long and luxurious Lives in this World, and the Explanation of the Truth Allah explains that they have been deceived and misled by the luxuries that they enjoy in this world and the long life that they have been given, so they believe that they are following s...

وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَا تَأْتِينَا ٱلسَّاعَةُ قُلْ بَلَىٰ وَرَبِّى لَتَأْتِيَنَّكُمْ عَٰلِمِ ٱلْغَيْبِ لَا يَعْزُبُ عَنْهُ مِثْقَالُ ذَرَّةٍ فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَلَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَآ أَصْغَرُ مِن ذَٰلِكَ وَلَآ أَكْبَرُ إِلَّا فِى كِتَٰبٍ مُّبِينٍ

Wa qaalal lazeena kafaroo laa taateenas Saa'ah; qul balaa wa Rabbee lataatiyannakum 'Aalimul Ghaib; laa ya'zubu 'anhu misqaalu zarratin fis samaawaati wa laa fil ardi wa laaa asgharu min zaalika wa laaa akbaru illaa fee kitaabim mubeen

But those who disbelieve say, "The Hour will not come to us." Say, "Yes, by my Lord, it will surely come to you. [Allah is] the Knower of the unseen." Not absent from Him is an atom's weight within the heavens or within the earth or [what is] smaller than that or greater, except that it is in a clear register -

اور کافر کہتے ہیں کہ (قیامت کی) گھڑی ہم پر نہیں آئے گی۔ کہہ دو کیوں نہیں (آئے گی) میرے پروردگار کی قسم وہ تم پر ضرور آکر رہے گی (وہ پروردگار) غیب کا جاننے والا (ہے) ذرہ بھر چیز بھی اس سے پوشیدہ نہیں (نہ) آسمانوں میں اور نہ زمین میں اور کوئی چیز ذرے سے چھوٹی یا بڑی ایسی نہیں مگر کتاب روشن میں (لکھی ہوئی) ہے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Commentary عَالِمِ الْغَيْبِ (the knower of the unseen). This is an attribute of the Rabb (Lord) in whose name an oath has been taken in verse 3. At this place, out of the many attributes of Allah Ta’ ala, the attribute of all-encompassing knowledge and the knowledge of the unseen has, perhaps, been...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: And those who disbelieve say ‘The Hour the Resurrection will never come to us’. Say to them ‘Yes indeed by my Lord it shall come to you — by the Knower of the Unseen read ‘ālimi’l-ghaybi as an adjectival qualification of wa-rabbī ‘by my Lord’ or read ‘ālimu’l-ghaybi as the predicate of a missing sub...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The Hour will come so that each Person will be rewarded or punished in accordance with His Deeds This is one of three Ayat -- there is no fourth -- where Allah commands His Messenger to swear by His Almighty Lord that the resurrection will surely come, because the stubborn followers of disbelief den...

قُلِ ٱدْعُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ زَعَمْتُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ لَا يَمْلِكُونَ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَلَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا لَهُمْ فِيهِمَا مِن شِرْكٍ وَمَا لَهُۥ مِنْهُم مِّن ظَهِيرٍ

Qulid 'ul lazeena za'amtum min doonil laahi laa yamlikoona misqaala zarratin fissamaawaati wa laa fil ardi wa maa lahum feehimaa min shirkinw wa maa lahoo minhum min zaheer

Say, [O Muhammad], "Invoke those you claim [as deities] besides Allah." They do not possess an atom's weight [of ability] in the heavens or on the earth, and they do not have therein any partnership [with Him], nor is there for Him from among them any assistant.

کہہ دو کہ جن کو تم خدا کے سوا (معبود) خیال کرتے ہو ان کو بلاؤ۔ وہ آسمانوں اور زمین میں ذرہ بھر چیز کے بھی مالک نہیں ہیں اور نہ ان میں ان کی شرکت ہے اور نہ ان میں سے کوئی خدا کا مددگار ہے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Commentary These verses are meant to prove the falsity of three different types of idol-worshippers. The first group among them, and the most absurd of all, was of the people who believed that these idols, made of stones are the partners of Allah and His associates in all His powers. The beginning p...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: Say O Muhammad (s) to the disbelievers of Mecca ‘Call on those whom you have asserted those whom you have asserted to be gods besides God in other words other than Him so that they might benefit you as you are wont to assert. God exalted be He says of them They do not possess even so much as the wei...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The Helplessness of the gods of the Idolators Here Allah states clearly that He is the One and Only God, the Self-Sufficient Master, Who has no peer or partner; He is independent in His command and there is no one who can share or dispute with Him in that, or overturn His command. So, He says: قُلِ ...

فَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْرًا يَرَهُۥ

Famaiy ya'mal mithqala zarratin khai raiy-yarah

So whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it,

تو جس نے ذرہ بھر نیکی کی ہو گی وہ اس کو دیکھ لے گا

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Verse [ 7] فَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّ‌ةٍ خَيْرً‌ا يَرَ‌هُ (So, whoever does good [ even ] to the weight of a particle shall see it.) The word 'good' here refers to what is good in terms of Shari` ah, that is, only a good deed done in the wake of faith is recognized by Allah. Any good deed done i...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: So whoever does an atom’s weight of good shall see it he shall see its reward
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Which was revealed in Madina The Virtues of Surat Az-Zalzalah Imam Ahmad recorded from `Abdullah bin `Amr that he said, "A man came to the Messenger of Allah and said, `Teach me what to recite, O Messenger of Allah!' The Prophet said, «اقْرَأْ ثَلَاثًا مِنْ ذَوَاتِ الر» (Recite three from those whic...

وَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ شَرًّا يَرَهُۥ

Wa maiy-y'amal mithqala zarratin sharraiy-yarah

And whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it.

اور جس نے ذرہ بھر برائی کی ہوگی وہ اسے دیکھ لے گا

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Verse [ 8] وَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّ‌ةٍ شَرًّ‌ا يَرَ‌هُ (And Whoever does evil [ even ] to the weight of a particle shall see it.) By 'evil' here is meant the evil for which the evil-doer has not repented. The Qur'an and the Sunnah bear ample testimony to the fact that any sinner who sincerely ...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil shall see it he shall see its requital.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Which was revealed in Madina The Virtues of Surat Az-Zalzalah Imam Ahmad recorded from `Abdullah bin `Amr that he said, "A man came to the Messenger of Allah and said, `Teach me what to recite, O Messenger of Allah!' The Prophet said, «اقْرَأْ ثَلَاثًا مِنْ ذَوَاتِ الر» (Recite three from those whic...

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