Page 41 - The importance of conscience in the Qur'an

Living the Qur'an by Following the Conscience at All Times 39

one else to something which he himself would not like to be
subjected to. For this reason, Allah compares these manners to
'eating the dead flesh of one's brother.' This is just as disgusting
as backbiting, suspicion and faultfinding. Besides, Allah threatens
those who engage in such acts with hell:
Woe to every faultfinding backbiter… No
indeed! He will be flung into the Shatterer.
And what will convey to you what the
Shatterer is? The kindled Fire of Allah
reaching right into the heart. It is sealed in
above them in towering columns. (Surat al-
Humaza: 1-9)
Backbiting, prying into the secrets of others, and accusing
people on the basis of mere suspicion, are often products of
jealousy, envy and grudges, and are directly opposed to
Quranic morals. Such behaviour is absolutely incompatible with
conscience even though it is not greatly renounced by society.
When one considers how Allah will repay these actions, the
most appropriate conduct in accordance with Qur'anic morals
is not to do them even for a moment, and to strongly
discourage others from doing them.
The behaviour and thoughts of someone who has grasped
the essence of the Qur'an, will be based on the good morals
prescribed by Islam in general. In other words, he who lives this
good character will always think and act conscientiously. He
will never forget death and the hereafter, and this will make all
his actions be oriented towards the hereafter. Such a remark-
able man will think about the hereafter not only for himself, but
also for his loved ones and his whole community. All his efforts
will be geared towards preparing for this eternal home. Even
with regards to seemingly ordinary events, the conscientious