What role did the concept of ma'at play in the judgment of souls in the afterlife?

The concept of ma'at was fundamentally important in ancient Egyptian belief systems, particularly in the context of the afterlife and the judgment of souls. Ma'at represents truth, balance, order, and cosmic harmony. In the context of the judgment of souls, it served as the standard against which the deeds of the deceased were measured.

When a person died, it was believed that their soul would be weighed against the feather of ma'at in the Hall of Judgment. If the soul was found to be as light as the feather, implying that the individual had led a life of virtue and truth, they would be granted access to the afterlife, a place of peace and contentment. Conversely, if the soul was heavy with the weight of sins, it would be consumed by the monster Ammit, resulting in the permanent death of the soul. This process underscores the significance of ma'at not just as a moral guideline for life, but as a critical determinant in the evaluation of one's worthiness for an afterlife, emphasizing the duality of living a righteous life aligned with the principles of truth and order.