فَأَمّا مَن أوتِيَ كِتابَهُ بِيَمينِهِ
Then as for him who is given his record in his right hand.
EXEGESIS
Yamīn means the right side, or more specifically the right hand. Almost all cultures associate ‘right’ with that which is correct and true and good, as is obvious from the word ‘right’ in most languages. In Arabic, yumn carries the meaning of felicity and blessedness as well. Maymanah refers to news of impending good, like in the verse, The people of the right hand (maymanah) (56:8), who are called such because they will be given good news of entry to paradise. A yamīn (pl. aymān) is also used to mean an oath, because it is sworn by one’s right hand.
EXPOSITION
On the Day of Judgement, every person will receive a record of their deeds. The Arabic word kitāb is used for a book, but means anything where information is recorded or items are systematically arranged (18:49, 17:13-14). While almost certainly this will not be an actual physical book of bound paper, the word kitāb nevertheless sufficiently conveys the concept.
The record in reality is all the actions of the person which have been ‘captured’ by the relevant angel and stored so that they may be presented to a person on the Day of Judgement as proof and evidence either for or against him, The day when every soul will find present whatever good it has done; and as to whatever evil it has done it will wish there were a far distance between it and itself (3:30).
The handing of the record to the right hand of a person may or may not literally occur in that fashion, but certainly the Quranic description is meant to evoke the felicitous nature of the process. To approach someone ‘from his right’ is to be the bearer of good will or good news, like in the verse, Indeed you used to accost us from the right (37:28).
Being given the book in the right hand could also be a reference to receiving it from the ʿilliyyūn: No indeed! The record of the pious is indeed in ʿilliyyūn. And what will show you what is ʿilliyyūn? It is a written record, witnessed by those brought near [to Allah] (83:18-21).
The passive is given intends the angels that are responsible for handing out this record of deeds.
INSIGHTS FROM HADITH
- From ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Kathīr al-Hāshimī, that Imam al-Ṣādiq (a) said: ‘One day, while the Commander of the Faithful (God’s blessings be upon him) was sitting with [Muhammad] Ibn al-Ḥanafiyyah, told him: “Muhammad, bring me a vessel of water so I may perform ablution for the prayer.” Muhammad brought him the water, and he poured with his right hand over his left hand, then said: “In the name of God. Praise be to God who made water purifying and did not make it impure.” He cleansed himself, saying: “O God, guard my private parts, make them chaste, veil my nakedness, and forbid me to the fire.” Then [after he came out of the toilet to make ablution], he rinsed his mouth and said: “O God, teach me my proof on the day I meet You, and let my tongue flow with Your remembrance.” Then he drew water into his nose and said: “O God, do not deprive me of the fragrance of paradise; make me among those who inhale its scent, its breeze, and its sweetness.” Then he washed his face and said: “O God, whiten my face on the day faces are blackened, and do not blacken my face on the day faces are whitened.” Then he washed his right hand and said: “O God, give me my book in my right hand, and everlasting life in the gardens with ease, and give me an easy reckoning.” Then he washed his left hand and said: “O God, do not give me my book in my left hand, nor make it shackled to my neck; and I seek refuge with You from the lacerating flames.” Then he wiped his head and said: “O God, cover me with Your mercy, Your blessings, and Your pardon.” Then he wiped his feet and said: “O God, keep my feet firm upon the bridge on the day when feet will slip, and make my striving that which pleases You.” Then he lifted his head and looked toward Muhammad and said: “O Muhammad, whoever performs ablution like my ablution and says what I have said, God – mighty and glorious – creates from every drop an angel who glorifies Him, praises Him, and magnifies Him, and God writes for that person the reward of it until the Day of Resurrection.”’
INSIGHTS FROM OTHER TRADITIONS
- ‘… you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.’
- ’And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.’
[1] See Lisan, 13/548, y-m-n.
[2] Amali.S, p. 649; Faqih, 1/41-43, h. 84; Thawab, p. 16; Tahdhib; 1/53-54, h. 153; Wasail, 1/401-402, h. 1046.
[3] Psalms 16:11.
[4] Revelation 20:12.