Shaykh As-Saduq said that our view about the monitoring of people’s actions was that God had appointed two Angels, who inscribed each and every act that was performed by them. If someone, even desired to do an act of compassion and generosity, that was registered immediately in his record as a virtue, but when he actually performed that task, then his file was further supplemented by ten additional points.

However, when a person desired to do inequitable work, then it was not registered unless he actually performed that task, and even then, he was given a reprieve for seven hours to repent. If he availed that opportunity, that vice was then not registered in his file. If he failed to do so during this period then only a single entry was made to update his record. These two Angels recorded every single step of human activity.

God said in the Qur’an:

وَإِنَّ عَلَيْكُمْ لَحَافِظِينَ

“Certainly, two kinds of Angels are appointed on to you” (82:10).

كِرَامًا كَاتِبِينَ

“Who register” (82:11).

يَعْلَمُونَ مَا تَفْعَلُونَ

“And discern everything that you do” (82:12).

Amir Al-Mu’minin passed by a person who was using absurd and foolish language. Imam told him that he was making the Angels to write a report regarding him, which was to be presented before his Lord. Therefore, he must say those things that were beneficial to him and abstain from evil talk. He then said, “A Muslim is continuously recorded and described as a virtuous being, as long as he remains silent, but when he begins his speech, he is then registered good or bad according to his words. Both Angels remain stationed between the collar bones. The one, who resides towards the right, registers all virtues and the left of it inscribes wrongdoings. The Angels of day and night both catalogue your deeds accordingly.”