From the day we are born, a voice that always perpetually whispers evil accompanies us. This whisper belongs to our lower self. Next to this voice, however, there exists an infallible voice that forbids evil and guides us to the right path. This voice is called “conscience”. Almighty Allah introduces to us these two aspects of the self as follows:
{By the soul and the One Who proportioned it and inspired it [with conscience of] what is wrong for it and (what is) right for it. Truly he succeeds who purifies it; and he fails who corrupts it!} (Ash-Shams 91:7–10)
True believers unceasingly give ear to this voice. They have a quite different understanding of conscience from that prevalent in society. Helping the needy and old people or making contributions to aid organizations is generally regarded as a sign of a good conscience.As stated in the above verse, Almighty Allah also inspires human beings to avoid the evil of their own selves. This inspiration is provided through the conscience. Therefore, conscience can be deemed, in a sense, the voice of Almighty Allah that summons believers to what is good and right. For this reason, the conscience is a key to true faith.
Apart from such few examples, however, conscience is excluded from almost all other fields of life. People generally do not feel the need to employ their conscience, and they lead their lives in compliance with their own lower selves.
Those who heed their conscience as commanded in the Noble Qur’an are only those who are truly faithful. Throughout their lives, they listen to their conscience on every issue. Drawing near to Allah and earning His approval being their sole goal in life, they unceasingly bow to their conscience, whatever the conditions or circumstances may be.
Neither exhaustion, nor sleeplessness, or the rush of daily life distracts them from following this voice. Their busiest moments or hard times are no exception. Indeed, a single warning from their conscience suffices to make them immediately see the good and turn to it.
Conscience in Practice
The following example will help clarify this issue:
This believer feels no hesitation in setting aside all his personal needs and rushes to his assistance. If he is physically too weak to help by himself, he will find someone else to assist on his behalf.Think of a believer who has just returned from a long, tiresome journey. Having had only a few hours sleep, he is exhausted and hungry. Just at the time he is about to rest to regain his strength, he meets a person in a desperate situation, asking for help.
Moreover, in return for all this help, he avoids any such attitude as would arouse feelings of indebtedness in the other person. He does not stoop to the low level of mentioning that person’s needs or the favors he has done for him. That is because he has performed all these services just to earn Allah’s Approval. He does not expect anything in return. The attitude of such people is stated in the Qur’an as follows:
{We feed you for the sake of Allah alone; no reward do we desire from you, nor thanks. We only fear a Day of distressful Wrath from the side of our Lord.} (Al-Insan 76:9–10)
No matter how dire the circumstances may be, a true believer does not swerve from following his conscience and never does a good deed in expectation of a reward from others. The belief that Almighty Allah is aware of that deed is sufficient for him.
At such times, let alone helping someone, he may even become rude to the people trying to help him. And if he agrees to help someone in need — which is often an exceptional situation — he definitely grumbles about it, reproaches the person, and does much to make him feel obliged.In the case of one who lacks the morality conferred by faith, every inconvenience becomes a legitimate excuse for him to ignore the right option to which his conscience guides him. Physical needs such as sleeplessness, exhaustion, or hunger may well change his attitude, turning him into an intolerant, nervous, and bad-tempered person.
As is evident, there is a wide gulf between true believers, who possess good morality and refined attitudes, and those bereft of such noble character traits. This distinction is obvious at every moment of their lives, and it will also make a considerable difference in the rewards they will receive in the hereafter. -onislam.net
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