Page 72 - The importance of conscience in the Qur'an

70 The Importance of Conscience in the Qur'an

chance so that I could be a good-doer' 'No, the
fact is that My Signs came to you but you
denied them and were arrogant and were one
of the disbelievers. On the Day of Rising you
will see those who lied against Allah with their
faces blackened. Do not the arrogant have a
dwelling place in Hell?' (Surat az-Zumar: 56-
60)

The excuses put forward for not following the
conscience
In fact, man will be clear proof against himself
in spite of any excuses he might offer. (Surat
al-Qiyama: 14-15)
Every person knows without doubt the right within his
conscience; nevertheless, he continuously puts forward excuses
for not practising these righteous acts. For this reason, he is
always in a state of unease. Indeed, it is an intolerable burden for
a person's conscience to commit evil acts while knowing that
they are wrong. The shaytan, however, makes their deeds
fair-seeming and shows them many ways to block their ears to
the truthful voice inside them. While it is possible to lead an
easy life in mind and soul by exercising the right, these people
choose the difficult way by covering their conscience. While
following the footsteps of the shaytan, they claim that they are
on the right way, and put forward various excuses for behaving
contrary to Islam. Some of the excuses are as follows:

'It's what's in your heart that matters.'
Many people have developed a form of defence
mechanism; their conscience knows what is right, while the self