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