Page 112 - The importance of conscience in the Qur'an

110 The Importance of Conscience in the Qur'an

other hand they deceive themselves into believing that they will
live a better life after death.
They are deceived by the gain they achieve in the life of
this world. As shown in the above verse, the owner of the
vineyard had almost attributed endlessness to his wealth, and
thought that no power could destroy it.
In reply to the arrogant speech of the owner of the
vineyard:
His companion, with whom he had been
debating, said to him, 'Do you then disbelieve
in Him who created you from dust, then from
a drop of sperm, and then formed you as a
man? He is, however, Allah, my Lord, and I
will not associate anyone with my Lord. Why,
when you entered your garden, did you not
say, "It is as Allah wills, there is no strength
but in Allah"? Though you see me with less
wealth and children than you possess, it may
be that my Lord will give me something
better than your garden and send down on it
a fireball from the sky so that morning finds it
a shifting heap of dust, or morning finds its
water drained into the earth so that you
cannot get at it.' (Surat al-Kahf: 37-41)
A conscientious person practises and says what his
conscience orders him under all circumstances. A true friend is
not someone who remains silent for fear of offending his friend,
but someone who cares about his friend's hereafter to such an
extent that he cannot remain silent when he sees him doing
something wrong. He speaks out and advises his friend with
sincerity and good counsel, and warns him of Allah's penalty.