What Matters Will Be Accounted for on the Day of Judgment According to the Quran?

In the Holy Quran, the Day of Judgment is presented as the great and ultimate day of reckoning; a day when nothing will remain hidden, and every human being will confront all their deeds, words, and even their intentions. This accountability encompasses various dimensions, showcasing Allah's absolute precision, comprehensiveness, and justice. No act, whether small or large, will be exempt from this reckoning, as Allah Almighty states in Surah Al-Zalzalah, verses 7 and 8: "So whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it, And whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it." These verses clearly indicate that even the smallest actions of a person will be placed on the scale of accountability, and their results will be shown to them. One of the most crucial axes of accountability is a person's **beliefs and faith (Aqidah)**. Monotheism (Tawhid) and avoiding polytheism (Shirk) are the foundation of all accountability. Those who die in a state of Shirk will have no path to forgiveness, unless they repented in this life. Belief in the Prophets, divine books, angels, and the Day of Judgment are also fundamental tenets that will be questioned. In essence, the quality of faith and the extent of sincerity within it are the first and foremost criteria for a person's salvation or damnation in the afterlife. Allah has emphasized the importance of pure faith and avoidance of Shirk in many verses. Following beliefs, a person's **actions and behavior** in this worldly life will be accounted for. These actions generally fall into two categories: **Huququllah (Rights of Allah)** and **Huququl Ibad (Rights of People)**. Huququllah includes performing religious obligations such as Salah (prayer), Sawm (fasting), Zakat (charity), Hajj (pilgrimage), and other acts of worship. The degree of adherence to these duties, the quality of their performance, and the sincerity in fulfilling them, will all be factors in the reckoning. Deliberate neglect of obligations, or performing them without sincerity and with hypocrisy, are among the matters for which a person will be held accountable. Likewise, committing forbidden acts and major or minor sins, such as murder, adultery, theft, consuming alcohol, usury, gambling, and other undesirable acts, will each be separately questioned. In Surah Al-Isra, verses 13 and 14, Allah says: "And every person We have fastened his record to his neck, and We will produce for him on the Day of Resurrection a book which he will find spread open. [And it will be said], 'Read your record. Sufficient is yourself today as an accountant against you.'" These verses explicitly show that each person's book of deeds is meticulously and completely recorded, and the person themselves will be a witness against their own actions on the Day of Judgment. **Huququl Ibad (Rights of People)** hold particular importance, as their forgiveness often depends on the satisfaction of those whose rights were violated. This includes any form of oppression or infringement upon the rights of others, whether material or moral. Examples include: oppressing orphans, unlawfully seizing people's property, usurping wealth, neglecting the rights of neighbors and relatives, slandering, backbiting, lying, breaking covenants, and any other form of causing harm to others. Upholding the rights of parents and showing kindness to them is also heavily emphasized in the Quran and will be subject to precise accountability. Any negligence in fulfilling trusts and keeping promises is also among the matters that will be calculated on the Day of Judgment. In Surah An-Nisa, verse 29, Allah forbids consuming each other's wealth by unlawful means, which demonstrates the importance of protecting people's financial and physical rights. **Speech and language** are also heavily involved in the reckoning on the Day of Judgment. Every word a person has uttered, whether good or evil, has been recorded. Accusatory statements, lies, backbiting, slander, insults, and anything spoken that caused harm to others or spread corruption will be questioned. Similarly, good words, remembrance of Allah, inviting to good, and bearing truthful witness are also recorded in the book of deeds and will be rewarded. **Intentions and motivations (Niyyah)** are also accounted for on the Day of Judgment. An action, however good it may seem, if performed with hypocrisy, ostentation, or worldly motives, will be deprived of its otherworldly reward. Sincerity of intention is the key to the acceptance of deeds. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: "Indeed, actions are by intentions." This Hadith, reflecting a Quranic principle, points to the importance of intention in the acceptance and valuation of actions. In addition to these, the manner in which **divine blessings** such as health, youth, wealth, knowledge, opportunities, and talents were utilized will also be questioned. Did a person use these blessings in Allah's path and for their own and society's well-being, or did they squander them in sin and corruption? In Surah At-Takathur, verse 8, Allah says: "Then, you will surely be asked that Day about pleasure." This verse indicates that even the smallest blessing granted to us will be subject to accountability. Furthermore, **responsibility towards society and guiding or misleading others** is also very important. Those who were a source of good and guidance for others will receive the reward for their own deeds and the reward for the guidance they provided. However, those who led others astray will bear not only the burden of their own sins but also a portion of the sins of those they misled. This issue is clearly stated in Surah Al-Ankabut, verse 13. Ultimately, accountability on the Day of Judgment is a comprehensive and precise process that covers every dimension of a person's being, from their beliefs and heart to their every movement, stillness, word, and even gaze. This is not for vengeance, but to establish Allah's absolute justice, so that everyone receives their reward or punishment for their deeds, and not a single atom of truth or falsehood is overlooked. This awareness should motivate humans to live with diligence and piety in this world and to prepare themselves for that great Day.