Everything on Record

وَوُضِعَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبُ فَتَرَى ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ مُشْفِقِينَ مِمَّا فِيهِ وَيَقُولُونَ يَـٰوَيْلَتَنَا مَالِ هَـٰذَا ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ لَا يُغَادِرُ صَغِيرَةًۭ وَلَا كَبِيرَةً إِلَّآ أَحْصَىٰهَا ۚ وَوَجَدُوا۟ مَا عَمِلُوا۟ حَاضِرًۭا ۗ وَلَا يَظْلِمُ رَبُّكَ أَحَدًۭا ٤٩

And the record ˹of deeds˺ will be laid ˹open˺, and you will see the wicked in fear of what is ˹written˺ in it. They will cry, “Woe to us! What kind of record is this that does not leave any sin, small or large, unlisted?” They will find whatever they did present ˹before them˺. And your Lord will never wrong anyone.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

And the record [of deeds] will be placed [open], and you will see the criminals fearful of that within it, and they will say, "Oh, woe to us! What is this book that leaves nothing small or great except that it has enumerated it?" And they will find what they did present [before them]. And your Lord does injustice to no one.

— Saheeh International

And the book (of deeds) will be placed (before them), then you will see the guilty people scared of its contents and saying, “Woe to us! What a book is this! It has missed nothing, minor or major, but has taken it into account.” Thus they will find whatever they did present before them, and your Lord will not wrong anyone.

— T. Usmani

The record of their deeds will be laid open and you will see the guilty, dismayed at what they contain, saying, ‘Woe to us! What a record this is! It does not leave any deed, small or large, unaccounted for!’ They will find everything they ever did laid in front of them: your Lord will not be unjust to anyone.

— M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

And the Book is placed, and thou seest the guilty fearful of that which is therein, and they say: What kind of a Book is this that leaveth not a small thing nor a great thing but hath counted it! And they find all that they did confronting them, and thy Lord wrongeth no-one.

— M. Pickthall

And the Book (of Deeds) will be placed (before you); and thou wilt see the sinful in great terror because of what is (recorded) therein; they will say, "Ah! woe to us! what a Book is this! It leaves out nothing small or great, but takes account thereof!" They will find all that they did, placed before them: And not one will thy Lord treat with injustice.

— A. Yusuf Ali

And the Book (one’s Record) will be placed (in the right hand for a believer in the Oneness of Allâh, and in the left hand for a disbeliever in the Oneness of Allâh), and you will see the Mujrimûn (criminals, polytheists, sinners), fearful of that which is (recorded) therein. They will say: "Woe to us! What sort of Book is this that leaves neither a small thing nor a big thing, but has recorded it with numbers!" And they will find all that they did, placed before them, and your Lord treats no one with injustice.

— Al-Hilali & Khan

[Al-Quran 18:49]

The Quran states that Allah knows everything, and everything is on record in a Book. It further states that on the Day of Recompense, no one will be wronged in the least: 

اَلَمۡ تَرَ اِلَى الَّذِيۡنَ يُزَكُّوۡنَ اَنۡفُسَهُمۡ​ ؕ بَلِ اللّٰهُ يُزَكِّىۡ مَنۡ يَّشَآءُ وَلَا يُظۡلَمُوۡنَ فَتِيۡلًا‏ ٤٩

[Al-Quran 4:49]

اَلَمۡ تَرَ اِلَى الَّذِيۡنَ قِيۡلَ لَهُمۡ كُفُّوۡۤا اَيۡدِيَكُمۡ وَاَقِيۡمُوا الصَّلٰوةَ وَاٰ تُوا الزَّكٰوةَ ۚ فَلَمَّا كُتِبَ عَلَيۡهِمُ الۡقِتَالُ اِذَا فَرِيۡقٌ مِّنۡهُمۡ يَخۡشَوۡنَ النَّاسَ كَخَشۡيَةِ اللّٰهِ اَوۡ اَشَدَّ خَشۡيَةً​ ۚ وَقَالُوۡا رَبَّنَا لِمَ كَتَبۡتَ عَلَيۡنَا الۡقِتَالَ ۚ لَوۡلَاۤ اَخَّرۡتَنَاۤ اِلٰٓى اَجَلٍ قَرِيۡبٍ​ ؕ قُلۡ مَتَاعُ الدُّنۡيَا قَلِيۡلٌ​ ۚ وَالۡاٰخِرَةُ خَيۡرٌ لِّمَنِ اتَّقٰى وَلَا تُظۡلَمُوۡنَ فَتِيۡلًا‏ ٧٧

[Al-Quran 4:77]

وَمَنۡ يَّعۡمَلۡ مِنَ الصّٰلِحٰتِ مِنۡ ذَكَرٍ اَوۡ اُنۡثٰى وَهُوَ مُؤۡمِنٌ فَاُولٰٓٮِٕكَ يَدۡخُلُوۡنَ الۡجَـنَّةَ وَلَا يُظۡلَمُوۡنَ نَقِيۡرًا‏ ١٢٤

[Al-Quran 4:124]

يَوۡمَ نَدۡعُوۡا كُلَّ اُنَاسٍۢ بِاِمَامِهِمۡ​ۚ فَمَنۡ اُوۡتِىَ كِتٰبَهٗ بِيَمِيۡنِهٖ فَاُولٰۤٮِٕكَ يَقۡرَءُوۡنَ كِتٰبَهُمۡ وَلَا يُظۡلَمُوۡنَ فَتِيۡلًا‏ ٧١

[Al-Quran 17:71]

وَنَضَعُ الۡمَوَازِيۡنَ الۡقِسۡطَ لِيَوۡمِ الۡقِيٰمَةِ فَلَا تُظۡلَمُ نَـفۡسٌ شَيۡــًٔـا​ ؕ وَاِنۡ كَانَ مِثۡقَالَ حَبَّةٍ مِّنۡ خَرۡدَلٍ اَتَيۡنَا بِهَا​ ؕ وَكَفٰى بِنَا حٰسِبِيۡنَ‏ ٤٧

[Al-Quran 21:47]

وَلَا نُـكَلِّفُ نَفۡسًا اِلَّا وُسۡعَهَا​ وَلَدَيۡنَا كِتٰبٌ يَّـنۡطِقُ بِالۡحَـقِّ​ وَهُمۡ لَا يُظۡلَمُوۡنَ‏ ٦٢

[Al-Quran 23:62]

يٰبُنَىَّ اِنَّهَاۤ اِنۡ تَكُ مِثۡقَالَ حَبَّةٍ مِّنۡ خَرۡدَلٍ فَتَكُنۡ فِىۡ صَخۡرَةٍ اَوۡ فِى السَّمٰوٰتِ اَوۡ فِى الۡاَرۡضِ يَاۡتِ بِهَا اللّٰهُ ​ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَطِيۡفٌ خَبِيۡرٌ‏ ١٦

[Al-Quran 31:16]

فَالۡيَوۡمَ لَا تُظۡلَمُ نَفۡسٌ شَيۡـــًٔا وَّلَا تُجۡزَوۡنَ اِلَّا مَا كُنۡتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُوۡنَ‏ ٥٤

[Al-Quran 36:54]

...

Modern science is now acknowledging that no information is ever lost. The No-hiding theorem asserts that if information is lost from a system, due to decoherence, it simply moves to a subspace in the environment. Therefore, original information can never be destroyed. 

Surah al-Waqiah concludes thus: 

56:83

فَلَوْلَآ إِذَا بَلَغَتِ ٱلْحُلْقُومَ ٨٣

Then why, when it [i.e., the soul at death] reaches the throat

56:84

وَأَنتُمْ حِينَئِذٍۢ تَنظُرُونَ ٨٤

And you are at that time looking on -

56:85

وَنَحْنُ أَقْرَبُ إِلَيْهِ مِنكُمْ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا تُبْصِرُونَ ٨٥

And We [i.e., Our angels] are nearer to him than you, but you do not see -

56:86

فَلَوْلَآ إِن كُنتُمْ غَيْرَ مَدِينِينَ ٨٦

Then why do you not, if you are not to be recompensed,

56:87

تَرْجِعُونَهَآ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ ٨٧

Bring it back, if you should be truthful?

56:88

فَأَمَّآ إِن كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُقَرَّبِينَ ٨٨

And if he [i.e., the deceased] was of those brought near [to Allāh],

56:89

فَرَوْحٌۭ وَرَيْحَانٌۭ وَجَنَّتُ نَعِيمٍۢ ٨٩

Then [for him is] rest and bounty and a garden of pleasure.

56:90

وَأَمَّآ إِن كَانَ مِنْ أَصْحَـٰبِ ٱلْيَمِينِ ٩٠

And if he was of the companions of the right,

56:91

فَسَلَـٰمٌۭ لَّكَ مِنْ أَصْحَـٰبِ ٱلْيَمِينِ ٩١

Then [the angels will say], "Peace for you; [you are] from the companions of the right."

56:92

وَأَمَّآ إِن كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُكَذِّبِينَ ٱلضَّآلِّينَ ٩٢

But if he was of the deniers [who were] astray,

56:93

فَنُزُلٌۭ مِّنْ حَمِيمٍۢ ٩٣

Then [for him is] accommodation of scalding water

56:94

وَتَصْلِيَةُ جَحِيمٍ ٩٤

And burning in Hellfire.

56:95

إِنَّ هَـٰذَا لَهُوَ حَقُّ ٱلْيَقِينِ ٩٥

Indeed, this is the true certainty,

56:96

فَسَبِّحْ بِٱسْمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلْعَظِيمِ ٩٦

So exalt the name of your Lord, the Most Great.

[Al-Quran 56:83-96, Translation: Saheeh International]

...

...

References & Links:  

External links:

No-hiding theorem 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No-hiding_theorem 

In this blog: 

Our Record in Our Neck 

https://signsandscience.blogspot.com/2019/04/our-record-in-our-neck.html 

Generating The Evidence

… Legislation is not but for Allah. He has commanded that you worship not except Him. That is the correct religion, but most of the people do not know. [12:40]
And when I am ill, then He cures me, [Al-Quran 26:80]

Mission of the Messengers-XXXIV
Disease & Cure - X

Abstract
Our story begins with Allah teaching Adam knowledge (Q2:31) and repentance (Q2:37). Allah, in His Absolute Knowledge, knows who is a believer and who isn't. People are free to choose. The Quran details Allah's guidance. Allah is watching everyone constantly, as well as causing everything to be recorded. Moreover, Allah never errs nor does He ever forget. On the Day of Judgment, just and legal, and permanent recompense is to be expected from The Most Just of All Judges, The Real King.

Full Text

فَلَوْلَا كَانَ مِنَ الْقُرُونِ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ أُولُو بَقِيَّةٍ يَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْفَسَادِ فِي الْأَرْضِ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِّمَّنْ أَنجَيْنَا مِنْهُمْ ۗ وَاتَّبَعَ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا مَا أُتْرِفُوا فِيهِ وَكَانُوا مُجْرِمِينَ

وَمَا كَانَ رَبُّكَ لِيُهْلِكَ الْقُرَىٰ بِظُلْمٍ وَأَهْلُهَا مُصْلِحُونَ

وَلَوْ شَاءَ رَبُّكَ لَجَعَلَ النَّاسَ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً ۖ وَلَا يَزَالُونَ مُخْتَلِفِينَ

إِلَّا مَن رَّحِمَ رَبُّكَ ۚ وَلِذَ‌ٰلِكَ خَلَقَهُمْ ۗ وَتَمَّتْ كَلِمَةُ رَبِّكَ لَأَمْلَأَنَّ جَهَنَّمَ مِنَ الْجِنَّةِ وَالنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ

وَكُلًّا نَّقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ مِنْ أَنبَاءِ الرُّسُلِ مَا نُثَبِّتُ بِهِ فُؤَادَكَ ۚ وَجَاءَكَ فِي هَـٰذِهِ الْحَقُّ وَمَوْعِظَةٌ وَذِكْرَىٰ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

وَقُل لِّلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ اعْمَلُوا عَلَىٰ مَكَانَتِكُمْ إِنَّا عَامِلُونَ

وَانتَظِرُوا إِنَّا مُنتَظِرُونَ

وَلِلَّهِ غَيْبُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَإِلَيْهِ يُرْجَعُ الْأَمْرُ كُلُّهُ فَاعْبُدْهُ وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَيْهِ ۚ وَمَا رَبُّكَ بِغَافِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ

So why were there not among the generations before you those of enduring discrimination forbidding corruption on earth - except a few of those We saved from among them? But those who wronged pursued what luxury they were given therein, and they were criminals.

And your Lord would not have destroyed the cities unjustly while their people were reformers.

And if your Lord had willed, He could have made mankind one community; but they will not cease to differ.

Except whom your Lord has given mercy, and for that He created them. But the word of your Lord is to be fulfilled that, "I will surely fill Hell with jinn and men all together."

And each [story] We relate to you from the news of the messengers is that by which We make firm your heart. And there has come to you, in this, the truth and an instruction and a reminder for the believers.

And say to those who do not believe, "Work according to your position; indeed, we are working.

And wait, indeed, we are waiting."

And to Allah belong the unseen [aspects] of the heavens and the earth and to Him will be returned the matter, all of it, so worship Him and rely upon Him. And your Lord is not unaware of that which you do.

[Al-Quran 11:116-123, Translation: Saheeh International]

Backdrop
Our story begins with Allah teaching Adam knowledge (Q2:31) and repentance (Q2:37). The role of Iblis as a misleader is made amply clear across the text. After teaching Adam repentance, it was proclaimed:

قُلْنَا اهْبِطُوا مِنْهَا جَمِيعًا ۖ فَإِمَّا يَأْتِيَنَّكُم مِّنِّي هُدًى فَمَن تَبِعَ هُدَايَ فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ

وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَكَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا أُولَـٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ

We said, "Go down from it, all of you. And when guidance comes to you from Me, whoever follows My guidance - there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.

And those who disbelieve and deny Our signs - those will be companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally."

[Al-Quran 2:38-39, Translation: Saheeh International]

Surah al-Ara`f further informs us that the descendants of Adam were made witness over their nafs (Q7:172).  We learn from other ayaat of The Quran that the greatest losers will be those who will lose their nafs on The Day of Judgment. Surah al-Mudathir informs us:

كُلُّ نَفْسٍ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ رَهِينَةٌ

Every soul nafs, for what it has earned, will be retained

[Al-Quran 74:38, Translation: Saheeh International; edited in italics]

Free Will & The Opportunity to Sin

لَا إِكْرَاهَ فِي الدِّينِ ۖ قَد تَّبَيَّنَ الرُّشْدُ مِنَ الْغَيِّ ۚ فَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِالطَّاغُوتِ وَيُؤْمِن بِاللَّهِ فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَىٰ لَا انفِصَامَ لَهَا ۗ وَاللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ

اللَّهُ وَلِيُّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا يُخْرِجُهُم مِّنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّورِ ۖ وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَوْلِيَاؤُهُمُ الطَّاغُوتُ يُخْرِجُونَهُم مِّنَ النُّورِ إِلَى الظُّلُمَاتِ ۗ أُولَـٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ

There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion (الدِّينِ). The right course has become clear from the wrong. So whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold with no break in it. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing.

Allah is the ally of those who believe. He brings them out from darknesses into the light (النُّورِ). And those who disbelieve - their allies are Taghut. They take them out of the light (النُّورِ) into darknesses. Those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide eternally therein.

[Al-Quran 2:256, Translation: Saheeh International, edited to retain Arabic text]

Allah, in His Absolute Knowledge, knows who is a believer and who isn't. The Quran and prior scriptures have been revealed for the guidance of those who wish to keep their duty. There is no compulsion on anyone. People are free to choose. The choices they make and the deeds they do generate the evidence for or against themselves:

أَحَسِبَ النَّاسُ أَن يُتْرَكُوا أَن يَقُولُوا آمَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا يُفْتَنُونَ

وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۖ فَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ الْكَاذِبِينَ

أَمْ حَسِبَ الَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ السَّيِّئَاتِ أَن يَسْبِقُونَا ۚ سَاءَ مَا يَحْكُمُونَ

مَن كَانَ يَرْجُو لِقَاءَ اللَّهِ فَإِنَّ أَجَلَ اللَّهِ لَآتٍ ۚ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ

وَمَن جَاهَدَ فَإِنَّمَا يُجَاهِدُ لِنَفْسِهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَغَنِيٌّ عَنِ الْعَالَمِينَ

...
وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ

Do the people think that they will be left to say, "We believe" and they will not be tried?

But We have certainly tried those before them, and Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident the liars.

Or do those who do evil deeds think they can outrun Us? Evil is what they judge.

Whoever should hope for the meeting with Allah - indeed, the term decreed by Allah is coming. And He is the Hearing, the Knowing.

And whoever strives only strives for [the benefit of] himself his nafs. Indeed, Allah is free from need of the worlds.
...
And Allah will surely make evident those who believe, and He will surely make evident the hypocrites.

[Al-Quran 29:2-6, ... 11, Translation: Saheeh International; edited in italics]

People who wish to keep their duty can abide by the scriptures to reform themselves and lead a pious life, and people who choose otherwise can do what they want to. Surah al-Fussilat clarifies:

مَّنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا فَلِنَفْسِهِ ۖ وَمَنْ أَسَاءَ فَعَلَيْهَا ۗ وَمَا رَبُّكَ بِظَلَّامٍ لِّلْعَبِيدِ

Whoever does righteousness - it is for his [own] soul nafs; and whoever does evil [does so] against it. And your Lord is not ever unjust to [His] servants.

[Al-Quran 41:46, Translation: Saheeh International; edited in italics]

The Standing Law of Recompense 

The Quran details Allah's guidance. It exhorts the good and forbids the bad. It encourages the Believers to act upon the guidance, and to become people who exhort the good and forbid the bad. It also defines the three laws of recompense, al-deen al-qayimah, generally translated as the correct religion:

On the Day of Judgment, just and legal, and permanent recompense is to be expected from The Most Just of All Judges, The Real King.

In Adam's story, we read about the loss he suffered, an inherited rare disorder we witness daily on our body: no natural clothing! Surah at-Teen reminds us of our condition:

Innocent Until Proven Guilty 

As mentioned in Surah al-Isra`, Surah Qaf and Surah al-Infitar, everything we say and do is being constantly recorded in our neck. Whatever we say or do therefore becomes evidence for or against us. To quote from Surah Yasin and Surah alFussilat:

فَٱلْيَوْمَ لَا تُظْلَمُ نَفْسٌۭ شَيْـًۭٔا وَلَا تُجْزَوْنَ إِلَّا مَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ

إِنَّ أَصْحَـٰبَ ٱلْجَنَّةِ ٱلْيَوْمَ فِى شُغُلٍۢ فَـٰكِهُونَ

هُمْ وَأَزْوَ‌ٰجُهُمْ فِى ظِلَـٰلٍ عَلَى ٱلْأَرَآئِكِ مُتَّكِـُٔونَ

لَهُمْ فِيهَا فَـٰكِهَةٌۭ وَلَهُم مَّا يَدَّعُونَ

سَلَـٰمٌۭ قَوْلًۭا مِّن رَّبٍّۢ رَّحِيمٍۢ

وَٱمْتَـٰزُوا۟ ٱلْيَوْمَ أَيُّهَا ٱلْمُجْرِمُونَ

 ۞ أَلَمْ أَعْهَدْ إِلَيْكُمْ يَـٰبَنِىٓ ءَادَمَ أَن لَّا تَعْبُدُوا۟ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنَ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّۭ مُّبِينٌۭ

وَأَنِ ٱعْبُدُونِى ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَ‌ٰطٌۭ مُّسْتَقِيمٌۭ

وَلَقَدْ أَضَلَّ مِنكُمْ جِبِلًّۭا كَثِيرًا ۖ أَفَلَمْ تَكُونُوا۟ تَعْقِلُونَ

هَـٰذِهِۦ جَهَنَّمُ ٱلَّتِى كُنتُمْ تُوعَدُونَ

ٱصْلَوْهَا ٱلْيَوْمَ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَكْفُرُونَ

ٱلْيَوْمَ نَخْتِمُ عَلَىٰٓ أَفْوَ‌ٰهِهِمْ وَتُكَلِّمُنَآ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَتَشْهَدُ أَرْجُلُهُم بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَكْسِبُونَ

So today no soul nafs will be wronged at all, and you will not be recompensed except for what you used to do.

Indeed the companions of Paradise, that Day, will be amused in [joyful] occupation -

They and their spouses - in shade, reclining on adorned couches.

For them therein is fruit, and for them is whatever they request [or wish]

[And] "Peace," a word from a Merciful Lord.

[Then He will say], "But stand apart today, you criminals.

Did I not enjoin upon you, O children of Adam, that you not worship Satan - [for] indeed, he is to you a clear enemy -

And that you worship [only] Me? This is a straight path.

And he had already led astray from among you much of creation, so did you not use reason?

This is the Hellfire which you were promised.

[Enter to] burn therein today for what you used to deny."

That Day, We will seal over their mouths, and their hands will speak to Us, and their feet will testify about what they used to earn.

[Al-Quran 36:54-65, Translation: Saheeh International; edited in italics]

وَيَوْمَ يُحْشَرُ أَعْدَآءُ ٱللَّهِ إِلَى ٱلنَّارِ فَهُمْ يُوزَعُونَ

حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا مَا جَآءُوهَا شَهِدَ عَلَيْهِمْ سَمْعُهُمْ وَأَبْصَـٰرُهُمْ وَجُلُودُهُم بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ

وَقَالُوا۟ لِجُلُودِهِمْ لِمَ شَهِدتُّمْ عَلَيْنَا ۖ قَالُوٓا۟ أَنطَقَنَا ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنطَقَ كُلَّ شَىْءٍۢ وَهُوَ خَلَقَكُمْ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍۢ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ

وَمَا كُنتُمْ تَسْتَتِرُونَ أَن يَشْهَدَ عَلَيْكُمْ سَمْعُكُمْ وَلَآ أَبْصَـٰرُكُمْ وَلَا جُلُودُكُمْ وَلَـٰكِن ظَنَنتُمْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَعْلَمُ كَثِيرًۭا مِّمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ

وَذَ‌ٰلِكُمْ ظَنُّكُمُ ٱلَّذِى ظَنَنتُم بِرَبِّكُمْ أَرْدَىٰكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُم مِّنَ ٱلْخَـٰسِرِينَ

فَإِن يَصْبِرُوا۟ فَٱلنَّارُ مَثْوًۭى لَّهُمْ ۖ وَإِن يَسْتَعْتِبُوا۟ فَمَا هُم مِّنَ ٱلْمُعْتَبِينَ

And [mention, O Muhammad], the Day when the enemies of Allah will be gathered to the Fire while they are [driven] assembled in rows,

Until, when they reach it, their hearing and their eyes and their skins will testify against them of what they used to do.

And they will say to their skins, "Why have you testified against us?" They will say, "We were made to speak by Allah, who has made everything speak; and He created you the first time, and to Him you are returned.

And you were not covering yourselves, lest your hearing testify against you or your sight or your skins, but you assumed that Allah does not know much of what you do.

And that was your assumption which you assumed about your Lord. It has brought you to ruin, and you have become among the losers."

So [even] if they are patient, the Fire is a residence for them; and if they ask to appease [Allah], they will not be of those who are allowed to appease.

[Al-Quran 41:19-24, Translation: Saheeh International]

Conviction & Containment

قَالَ عِلْمُهَا عِندَ رَبِّي فِي كِتَابٍ ۖ لَّا يَضِلُّ رَبِّي وَلَا يَنسَى

[Moses] said, "The knowledge thereof is with my Lord in a record. My Lord neither errs nor forgets."

[Al-Quran 20:52, Translation: Saheeh International]

Allah is watching everyone constantly, as well as causing everything to be recorded. Moreover, Allah never errs nor does He ever forget. Therefore, on the Day of Judgment, all cases will be judged with absolute justice and no one will be wronged in the least.

In this world, the believers, the hypocrites and the disbelievers have to deal with each other: nationally, socially and at times, even domestically. The Day of Judgement is the Day of Separation when the good and the bad will be permanently sorted and separated from each other.

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ لِيَصُدُّوا عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ۚ فَسَيُنفِقُونَهَا ثُمَّ تَكُونُ عَلَيْهِمْ حَسْرَةً ثُمَّ يُغْلَبُونَ ۗ وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا إِلَىٰ جَهَنَّمَ يُحْشَرُونَ

لِيَمِيزَ اللَّهُ الْخَبِيثَ مِنَ الطَّيِّبِ وَيَجْعَلَ الْخَبِيثَ بَعْضَهُ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ فَيَرْكُمَهُ جَمِيعًا فَيَجْعَلَهُ فِي جَهَنَّمَ ۚ أُولَـٰئِكَ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ

قُل لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا إِن يَنتَهُوا يُغْفَرْ لَهُم مَّا قَدْ سَلَفَ وَإِن يَعُودُوا فَقَدْ مَضَتْ سُنَّتُ الْأَوَّلِينَ

وَقَاتِلُوهُمْ حَتَّىٰ لَا تَكُونَ فِتْنَةٌ وَيَكُونَ الدِّينُ كُلُّهُ لِلَّهِ ۚ فَإِنِ انتَهَوْا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ

Indeed, those who disbelieve spend their wealth to avert [people] from the way of Allah. So they will spend it; then it will be for them a [source of] regret; then they will be overcome. And those who have disbelieved - unto Hell they will be gathered.

[This is] so that Allah may distinguish the wicked from the good and place the wicked some of them upon others and heap them all together and put them into Hell. It is those who are the losers.

Say to those who have disbelieved [that] if they cease, what has previously occurred will be forgiven for them. But if they return [to hostility] - then the precedent of the former [rebellious] peoples has already taken place.

And fight them until there is no fitnah and [until] the religion, all of it, is for Allah. And if they cease - then indeed, Allah is Seeing of what they do.

[Al-Quran 8:36-37, Translation: Saheeh International]

يَوْمَ يَجْمَعُكُمْ لِيَوْمِ الْجَمْعِ ۖ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ يَوْمُ التَّغَابُنِ ۗ وَمَن يُؤْمِن بِاللَّهِ وَيَعْمَلْ صَالِحًا يُكَفِّرْ عَنْهُ سَيِّئَاتِهِ وَيُدْخِلْهُ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أَبَدًا ۚ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ

وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَكَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا أُولَـٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا ۖ وَبِئْسَ الْمَصِيرُ

The Day He will assemble you for the Day of Assembly - that is the Day of Deprivation. And whoever believes in Allah and does righteousness - He will remove from him his misdeeds and admit him to gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. That is the great attainment.

But the ones who disbelieved and denied Our verses - those are the companions of the Fire, abiding eternally therein; and wretched is the destination.

[Al-Quran 64:9-10, Translation: Saheeh International]

Prayers for Protection from The Fire

Allah, in His infinite Mercy, has caused angels to constantly pray for our forgiveness. We must make best use of this life: this opportunity to seek Allah's Forgiveness and Mercy. 

Sincere Repentance 

Surah al-Furqan reminds us that it is Allah who causes to flourish, and then goes on to describe The Most Merciful's servants, concluding with a beautiful message of hope for those who repent sincerely:

تَبَارَكَ الَّذِي جَعَلَ فِي السَّمَاءِ بُرُوجًا وَجَعَلَ فِيهَا سِرَاجًا وَقَمَرًا مُّنِيرًا

وَهُوَ الَّذِي جَعَلَ اللَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ خِلْفَةً لِّمَنْ أَرَادَ أَن يَذَّكَّرَ أَوْ أَرَادَ شُكُورًا

وَعِبَادُ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ هَوْنًا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ الْجَاهِلُونَ قَالُوا سَلَامًا

وَالَّذِينَ يَبِيتُونَ لِرَبِّهِمْ سُجَّدًا وَقِيَامًا

وَالَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا اصْرِفْ عَنَّا عَذَابَ جَهَنَّمَ ۖ إِنَّ عَذَابَهَا كَانَ غَرَامًا

إِنَّهَا سَاءَتْ مُسْتَقَرًّا وَمُقَامًا

وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا أَنفَقُوا لَمْ يُسْرِفُوا وَلَمْ يَقْتُرُوا وَكَانَ بَيْنَ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ قَوَامًا

وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَدْعُونَ مَعَ اللَّهِ إِلَـٰهًا آخَرَ وَلَا يَقْتُلُونَ النَّفْسَ الَّتِي حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ وَلَا يَزْنُونَ ۚ وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ يَلْقَ أَثَامًا

يُضَاعَفْ لَهُ الْعَذَابُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَيَخْلُدْ فِيهِ مُهَانًا

إِلَّا مَن تَابَ وَآمَنَ وَعَمِلَ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا فَأُولَـٰئِكَ يُبَدِّلُ اللَّهُ سَيِّئَاتِهِمْ حَسَنَاتٍ ۗ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا

وَمَن تَابَ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا فَإِنَّهُ يَتُوبُ إِلَى اللَّهِ مَتَابًا

وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَشْهَدُونَ الزُّورَ وَإِذَا مَرُّوا بِاللَّغْوِ مَرُّوا كِرَامًا

وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِّرُوا بِآيَاتِ رَبِّهِمْ لَمْ يَخِرُّوا عَلَيْهَا صُمًّا وَعُمْيَانًا

وَالَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَاجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّاتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا

أُولَـٰئِكَ يُجْزَوْنَ الْغُرْفَةَ بِمَا صَبَرُوا وَيُلَقَّوْنَ فِيهَا تَحِيَّةً وَسَلَامًا

خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ حَسُنَتْ مُسْتَقَرًّا وَمُقَامًا

قُلْ مَا يَعْبَأُ بِكُمْ رَبِّي لَوْلَا دُعَاؤُكُمْ ۖ فَقَدْ كَذَّبْتُمْ فَسَوْفَ يَكُونُ لِزَامًا

Blessed is Causes to flourish He who has placed in the sky great stars and placed therein a [burning] lamp and luminous moon.

And it is He who has made the night and the day in succession for whoever desires to remember or desires gratitude.

And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace,

And those who spend [part of] the night to their Lord prostrating and standing [in prayer]

And those who say, "Our Lord, avert from us the punishment of Hell. Indeed, its punishment is ever adhering;

Indeed, it is evil as a settlement and residence."

And [they are] those who, when they spend, do so not excessively or sparingly but are ever, between that, [justly] moderate

And those who do not invoke with Allah another deity or kill the soul which Allah has forbidden [to be killed], except by right, and do not commit unlawful sexual intercourse. And whoever should do that will meet a penalty.

Multiplied for him is the punishment on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein humiliated -

Except for those who repent, believe and do righteous work. For them Allah will replace their evil deeds with good. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.

And he who repents and does righteousness does indeed turn to Allah with [accepted] repentance.

And [they are] those who do not testify to falsehood, and when they pass near ill speech, they pass by with dignity.

And those who, when reminded of the verses of their Lord, do not fall upon them deaf and blind.

And those who say, "Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us an example for the righteous."

Those will be awarded the Chamber for what they patiently endured, and they will be received therein with greetings and [words of] peace.

Abiding eternally therein. Good is the settlement and residence.

Say, "What would my Lord care for you if not for your supplication?" For you [disbelievers] have denied, so your denial is going to be adherent.

[Al-Quran 25:61-77, Translation: Saheeh International; edited in italics]

Last updated on: January 23, 2020

Our Record in Our Neck

Abstract 

Surah al-Isra clearly mentions that all humans have their fate tied to their neck. The Bible also mentions the neck and the lowering of the horns in humility and submission. There exists a bone in the neck which is not joined directly with the rest of the skeleton, but is held in place by muscles. It is involved in many key functions. It also contains two pairs of horns. 

Full Text 

وَكُلَّ إِنسَانٍ أَلْزَمْنَاهُ طَائِرَهُ فِي عُنُقِهِ وَنُخْرِجُ لَهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ كِتَابًا يَلْقَاهُ مَنشُورًا

اقْرَأْ كِتَابَكَ كَفَىٰ بِنَفْسِكَ الْيَوْمَ عَلَيْكَ حَسِيبًا 

And [for] every person We have imposed his fate upon his neck, and We will produce for him on the Day of Resurrection a record which he will encounter spread open. 

[It will be said], "Read your record. Sufficient is your nafs against you this Day as accountant." 

[Al-Quran 17:13-14, Translator: Sahih International (edited to retain word nafs in italics)] 

The Quran repeatedly reminds us that our eternal life will be in accordance with our faith and deeds. The ayaat quoted above from Surah al-Isra clearly mentions that all humans have their fate tied to their neck, recording in detail, and will be produced for us to read on the Day of Resurrection.

Some important points made in these ayaat are: 

• all humans have their fate with them 
• its tied to their necks 
• the root letters of the word for fate shares its root with the word for birds 
• this will be taken out on the Day of Resurrection 
• it will be readable on that Day 
• we will be commanded to read it 
• our Nafs will itself be sufficient to take account of our deeds 

In Surah Qaf, we read:

وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ وَنَعْلَمُ مَا تُوَسْوِسُ بِهِ نَفْسُهُ وَنَحْنُ أَقْرَبُ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ حَبْلِ الْوَرِيدِ

إِذْ يَتَلَقَّى الْمُتَلَقِّيَانِ عَنِ الْيَمِينِ وَعَنِ الشِّمَالِ قَعِيدٌ

مَّا يَلْفِظُ مِن قَوْلٍ إِلَّا لَدَيْهِ رَقِيبٌ عَتِيدٌ

وَجَاءَتْ سَكْرَةُ الْمَوْتِ بِالْحَقِّ ذَٰلِكَ مَا كُنتَ مِنْهُ تَحِيدُ

And certainly We created man and We know what whispers to him his nafs, and We (are) nearer to him than (his) habli alwareedi.

When receive the two receivers on the right and on the left seated.

Not he utters any word but with him (is) an observer ready.

And will come (the) stupor (of) death in truth, "That (is) what you were [from it] avoiding."

[Al-Quran 50:16-19, first translation at link (edited to retain arabic words in italics)] 

[Note on habli alwareedi at bottom of this post] 

In Surah al-Waqiah, we read

تَنزِيلٌ مِّن رَّبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ

أَفَبِهَٰذَا الْحَدِيثِ أَنتُم مُّدْهِنُونَ

وَتَجْعَلُونَ رِزْقَكُمْ أَنَّكُمْ تُكَذِّبُونَ

فَلَوْلَا إِذَا بَلَغَتِ الْحُلْقُومَ

وَأَنتُمْ حِينَئِذٍ تَنظُرُونَ

وَنَحْنُ أَقْرَبُ إِلَيْهِ مِنكُمْ وَلَٰكِن لَّا تُبْصِرُونَ

فَلَوْلَا إِن كُنتُمْ غَيْرَ مَدِينِينَ

تَرْجِعُونَهَا إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ

A Revelation from (the) Lord (of) the worlds.

Then is it to this statement that you (are) indifferent?

And you make your provision that you deny.

Then why not when it reaches the throat,

And you (at) that time look on,

And We (are) nearer to him than you but you (do) not see,

Then why not, if you are not to be recompensed,

Bring it back, if you are truthful.

[Al-Quran 56:80-87]

It seems that this record is removed at the time of death. In Surah al-Hajj, The Quran challenges the unbeliever of trying to cut off to see if it removes what enrages him:

مَن كَانَ يَظُنُّ أَن لَّن يَنصُرَهُ اللَّهُ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ فَلْيَمْدُدْ بِسَبَبٍ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ ثُمَّ لْيَقْطَعْ فَلْيَنظُرْ هَلْ يُذْهِبَنَّ كَيْدُهُ مَا يَغِيظُ

[Al-Quran 22:15] 

Variously translated as: 

[Muhammad Asad] If anyone thinks that God will not succour him in this world and in the life to come, let him reach out unto heaven by any [other] means and [thus try to] make headway: and then let him see whether this scheme of his will indeed do away with the cause of his anguish.

[Abdul Majid Daryabadi] Whosoever hath been imagining that Allah shall not make him victorious in the world and the Hereafter, let him stretch a cord up to the heaven and let him cut it, and let him look if his stratagem can do away that whereat he enrageth.  

[Sahih International] Whoever should think that Allah will not support [Prophet Muhammad] in this world and the Hereafter - let him extend a rope to the ceiling, then cut off [his breath], and let him see: will his effort remove that which enrages [him]?    

The Bible also mentions the neck and the lowering of the horns in humility and submission.

There exists a bone in the neck which is not joined directly with the rest of the skeleton, but is held in place by muscles. It is involved in many key functions. It also contains two pairs of horns. Interestingly, variations in its shape and size are being noted in emerging studies.



Hanging around The Neck
The Bible teaches to bind good around the neck:

Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.

[Proverbs 3:3, Translation: New American Standard Bible]

My son, observe the commandment of your father And do not forsake the teaching of your mother;  Bind them continually on your heart; Tie them around your neck.

[Proverbs 6:20-21, Translation: New American Standard Bible]

Of course, the heart does enjoy a central place in the scriptures. We also know that its muscle is shaped like a double helix, as discussed in another post. 



Horns in The Neck 

The Bible refers to the horns in the neck, commanding that humans keep it lowered:

Do not lift up your horn on high, Do not speak with insolent pride.'"

[Psalm 75:5, Translation: New American Standard Bible]

And all the horns of the wicked He will cut off, But the horns of the righteous will be lifted up.

[Psalm 75:10, Translation: New American Standard Bible]

The Hyoid Bone in the Human Neck 

Close up of the Hyoid Bone in the Human Neck
Attribution:

Anatomography [CC BY-SA 2.1 jp]

According to a study published in 2016: 

The hyoid bone plays an important role in the functions of speaking, swallowing, prevention of regurgitation, and airway maintenance [1, 2]. Deviations in its position relative to the mandible or larynx, or in its angle of placement, can have significant ramifications for these important functions [2, 3]. The hyoid bone changes its position relative to the vertebrae during normal growth and development. In infancy, the hyoid bone lies just anteriorly to the second and third cervical vertebrae, and eventually lowers to the level of the fourth and fifth cervical vertebrae in adults [3]. Hyoid bone descent occurs concurrently with descent of functionally related structures, namely the larynx and epiglottis [4]. The only bone in the body that is free-floating, the hyoid bone maintains attachment with the mandible, tongue, styloid processes, thyroid cartilage, cricoid cartilage, clavicles, and sternum by ligament and muscle attachments [1]. Hyoid bone anatomy and physiology have been well documented due to the diverse nature of the muscle attachment sites as well as the multiple important functions that the hyoid bone supports. However, the precise nature and timing of hyoid bone fusion during the course of development has been less documented. ...  

As can be seen in the animation below, the Hyoid is not connected directly with the rest of the skeleton. 

Location of the Hyoid Bone (red) in the Human Neck
Attribution:
Anatomography [CC BY-SA 2.1 jp]

The following shows how the hyoid bone is tied in place with muscles: 

Hyoid Bone & Muscles in the Neck
Page URL
Attribution: Henry Vandyke Carter [Public domain]

Shape and Size Details

Interestingly, emerging studies are reporting variations in the shape and size of the Hyoid bone. Though the focus of the researches are variations based on gender, height, weight, etc., however, to cite from a 2018 report: 

Given the significance of being able to do this, a relatively complex categorization system has been developed for various known shapes of the hyoid. Remarkably, it has been noted that 60% of hyoid bones still do not fit into one of these commonly described categories  

Note on habli alwareedi

 وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ وَنَعْلَمُ مَا تُوَسْوِسُ بِهِ نَفْسُهُ وَنَحْنُ أَقْرَبُ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ حَبْلِ الْوَرِيدِ

And certainly We created man and We know what whispers to him his nafs, and We (are) nearer to him than (his) habli alwareedi.

[Al-Quran 50:16, first translation at link (edited to retain arabic words in italics)] 

The phrase habli alwareedi is generally translated as jugular vein, but as can be seen in page 2936 of Lane's Lexicon (screenshot below), the phrase has been variously understood.  

However, if it is treated as two separate words, and not a phrase, then: 

Habl is generally translated as rope, and among the shades of meaning employed by the root wāw rā dāl (و ر د) are passing over, rose-coloured, came or led, etc. as can be seen in the screenshots below. 

Looking at how the Hyoid Bone is tied in place by the muscles (above) and the colour of the muscles, and/or the proximity of the carotid artery and jugular vein to the Hyoid Bone (below), all three meanings point towards the same bone. 

Veins in the Neck 

Page URL 

Attribution: Henry Vandyke Carter [Public domain] 

Arteries in the Neck
Page URL
Attribution: Henry Vandyke Carter [Public domain] 
By Henry Vandyke Carter - Henry Gray (1918) Anatomy of the Human Body (See "Book" section below)Bartleby.com: Gray's Anatomy, Plate 513, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=559527

 Screenshot from corpus.quran.com  

Screenshot from corpus.quran.com 

 Screenshot from Lane's Lexicon 

Hadith Nabwi ﷺ  

[https://www.abuaminaelias.com/forty-hadith-purification-of-the-heart/] 

Hadith 11

Anas ibn Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

عَلَيْكَ بِحُسْنِ الْخُلُقِ وَطُولِ الصَّمْتِ فَوَالَّذِي نَفْسُ مُحَمَّدٍ بِيَدِهِ مَا عَمِلَ الْخَلائِقُ عَمَلا أَحَبَّ إِلَى اللَّهِ مِنْهُمَا

You must have good character and observe long periods of silence. By the One in whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, no one can behave with deeds more beloved to Allah than these two.

Source: Shu’ab al-Imān 4591, Grade: Hasan

Hadith 21

‘Amr ibn ‘Absah reported: A man said, “O Messenger of Allah, what is Islam?” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

أَنْ يُسْلِمَ قَلْبُكَ لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَأَنْ يَسْلَمَ الْمُسْلِمُونَ مِنْ لِسَانِكَ وَيَدِكَ

That you surrender your heart to Allah and that Muslims are safe from your tongue and hand.

Source: Musnad Aḥmad 17027, Grade: Sahih 

Last updated on: August 13, 2022