Why Some People Resist Their Conscience?

One of the most important factors that people use to inactivate their
conscience is their seeing themselves self-sufficient in everything.
For instance, when asked about their observance of Islam, most people
would say that it is enough not to harm anyone and to try to be a good
person. However, this is pure self-deception. What is important is to
be a slave to God and to live as He wishes. Unless man does this,
everything else he does is meaningless and harmful. God says in the
Qur'an:

And what of him the evil of whose actions appears fine to him so that
he sees them as good? God misguides whoever He wills and guides
whoever He wills. (Surah Fatir: 8)

What makes someone see his actions as good and attractive is the
belief that his own judgement is flawless. Those who consider
themselves to be kind-hearted and generous in the sight of God are
such people. The truth is in fact quite different from what they
assume. In a verse it is stated that one's seeing himself
self-sufficient is the greatest reason for his deviation from the truth:

No indeed! Truly man is unbridled seeing himself as self-sufficient.
(Surat al-'Alaq: 6-7)

The linguistic meaning of the word 'mustaghni' (self-sufficient) is
'without need, satisfied'. Its meaning as referred to in the Qur'an is
someone's seeing his nearness to God, his fear of God and the
hereafter, his good actions and his piety as sufficient and therefore
not striving for the better. Most people deviate from God's way for
this reason.

Although people see themselves as self-sufficient, they actually know
in their conscience how incomplete they are, and what they fail to do
to please God. This is why they avoid talking about subjects such as
death, doomsday and the hereafter. When one raises the subject, they
try to close it because it is 'depressing'. The reason they become
depressed is because they are resisting their conscience, and dwelling
on the subject causes them to feel restless inside.

It is not possible for someone who listens to his conscience to feel
self-sufficient. On the contrary, he looks for the better and tries to
do the better in everything. For man's conscience always reminds him
of the Day of Account. Someone who knows that he will give account to
God about the life of this world will never see his deeds sufficient.
He practises what he is commanded by his Creator with great attention.
In the Qur'an, those who seriously strive for the good pleasure of God
and the hereafter are referred to as follows:

As for anyone who desires this fleeting existence, We hasten in it
whatever We will to whoever We want. Then We will consign him to Hell
where he will roast, reviled and driven out. But as for one who
desires the hereafter, and strives for it with the striving it
deserves, being a believer, the striving of such people will be
gratefully acknowledged. (Surat al-Isra': 18-19)

Compiled ,edited and adapted by Khalid Latif

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Courtesy: HARUN YAHYA

MCB Supports Freedom of Conscience

T H E M U S L I M C O U N C I L O F B R I T A I N

25 January 2007

Press Release

MCB Supports Freedom of Conscience

The Muslim Council of Britain fully supports the principled stand taken by the leaders of the Catholic and Anglican churches on the Sexual Orientation Regulations. The right to practice one’s faith, or the freedom to have no belief, is a cornerstone of our society as is the right of all to live free from unfair discrimination and harassment.

The MCB whilst reiterating its support for anti-discrimination laws will naturally remain vigilant about the potential of any legislation to conflict with our belief. Homosexuality is forbidden in Islam. The Sexual Orientation Regulations as we understand them do not promote homosexuality but would provide protection against discrimination and harassment on account of sexual orientation.

“As Muslims we are obliged to uphold the moral standards and codes of conduct dictated by our faith”, said Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari, MCB Secretary-General.

The MCB urges the government to review its position that the Sexual Orientation Regulations can have no exemptions. This argument, we believe, is absurd and inconsistent with domestic as well as international legal precedents. Each anti discrimination legislation has exemptions.

The MCB maintains that the Regulations need to take full account of our multifaith, multicultural and multiethnic society and, wherever appropriate, make accommodation to accord with differing beliefs and values.

Notes to Editors:

The Muslim Council of Britain is the UK's representative Muslim umbrella body with over 400 affiliated national, regional and local organisations, mosques, charities and schools.

Media enquiries should be addressed to the MCB Media Office on 0845 26 26 786 or 07956 353 738. Email: media@mcb.org.uk.

Non-media enquiries should be addressed to the MCB Office at The Muslim Council of Britain, PO Box 57330, London E1 2WJ. Tel: 0845 26 26 786 Fax: 0207 247 7079

This press release and other MCB publications and information are available on the MCB website at www.mcb.org.uk.