Page 78 - The importance of conscience in the Qur'an

76 The Importance of Conscience in the Qur'an

pays attention to what the majority says or does. Even if it
means staying alone, he continues to listen to the voice of his
conscience and follow the book of Allah.
The psychology of 'following the majority' represents a
danger for everyone. Once someone has decided to practise
what his conscience dictates, the attitude and viewpoint of
those around him should never affect him or sway him from his
purpose. Each and every one of us is responsible for practising
what conscience and the Qur'an dictate. It should not be
forgotten that Allah tests His slaves. Another person trying to
convince us to give up a right decision we have taken may well
be a close friend whom Allah has made us encounter to test
our resolve. In the hereafter, however, people will say the
following about such friends:
Alas for me! If only I had not taken so-and-so
for a friend! He led me astray from the
Reminder after it came to me. The shaytan
always leaves man in the lurch. (Surat al-
Furqan: 28-29)

'I'll do it in the future.'
For many people, the rites of worship such as going on
Hajj and offering regular Salah (prayers) are postponed to old
age. This is because, either consciously or subconsciously, they
think that by devoting themselves to the Islamic way of life they
will be deprived of all worldly pleasures. However, Allah states
in many verses of the Qur'an that He offers favours to
believers both in this world and the hereafter:
…There are some people who say, 'Our Lord,
give us good in the world.' They will have no
share in the hereafter. And there are others