It is well established that people’s deeds are submitted to Almighty Allah. This serves to encourage people to obey the commandments of Almighty Allah and to avoid sinning. In addition, this is a preliminary step towards bringing people to account for their deeds on the Day of Judgment.
Dr. `Ugail Jasim An-Nashmi, professor of Shari`ah at the University of Kuwait, states the following: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said, “Deeds are submitted (to Almighty Allah) on Monday and Thursday, and I would like that my deeds are submitted while I am fasting” (Reported by At-Tirmidhi). This hadith indicates that fasting on Monday and Thursday is recommendable.
The angels’ presenting people’s deeds to Almighty Allah on these days is an organizational matter the wisdom of which only Almighty Allah knows. Of course, He Almighty knows everything in the universe before the angels record and submit it to Him.
There is another hadith to the effect that people’s deeds are presented to Almighty Allah in the month of Sha`ban and that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would fast almost all or most of this month so that his deeds would be presented while he was fasting. Thus, one may wonder what the relation between submitting deeds to Almighty Allah in the month of Sha`ban and submitting them twice a week on Monday and Thursday.
The reason may be that the purpose of submitting people’s deeds to Almighty Allah twice a week is not to inform Him Most High of these deeds, for He Almighty does not need to be told of what He Almighty already knows. But it may be, rather, to encourage people to obey His commandments and warn them against sinful deeds. It is a way of telling people that they are watched closely. It is analogous to students’ taking regular exams during the school year, so that they may not get lazy, until the final exam comes when they do their best to pass.
Hence, we may view the presentation of people’s deeds to Almighty Allah twice a week as a preparation for the annual presentation in the month of Sha`ban and then for the final reckoning on the Day of Judgment when all people will be brought to account for their deeds and know the results of what they did in their worldly life.
So, let’s depend on Almighty Allah, heart and soul, vie to obey Him voluntarily, seek His Forgiveness and to repent to Him as soon as possible, so that our faces will be lit when we are brought to judgment before Him Most High.
