Today, we intend to showcase how the human mind comes under the natural influence of the strong element of morality referred to as conscience. In a simple language, conscience is the sense of right and wrong that governs a person’s thoughts and actions. It is the analytical part of the mind that urges one to act morally or behave decently. From a psychological perspective, conscience is that part of the superego that judges the ethical nature of one’s actions and thoughts; and thereafter transmits such willpowers to the ego for consideration and possible translation in to behaviours.
Philosophically, conscience is the regulation of one’s action in conformity to an individual’s sense of right and wrong. Conscience is natural in man; and it derives from the ethical principles that regulate his thoughts and actions. No person is without conscience but a depraved person could cover it from perceiving the truth that could be its’ source of guidance. When the ‘radiance’ of falsehood is allowed to gleam over conscience, the individual plunges into unrighteousness. Over such a person’s conscience, Shaytan ultimately remains in charge.
In the twentieth hadith of the forty traditions of Imam Annawawi’s collection, which was related by Imam Bukhari on the authority of Uqbah bn Amr Al-Ansari, the Prophet (SAW) is quoted as saying that ‘A man could do as he wishes if it does not cause him to be ashamed.’ Uqbah (also called Abu Mas’ud) died during the caliphate of Ali bn Abi Talib and was one of the 70 persons who took the second pledge at Aqabah. This hadith teaches that one is permitted to do as he wishes on condition that it brings no shame to him or her.
This tradition has religious and cultural implications. When we say, ‘An act is shameful,’ it means that such an act brings shame or disgrace. And when we say, ‘He’s shameless’, it implies that such a person is without shame and thus immodest. When an individual intends to do anything, the conscience in him warns him of the evils (if any) in the act; and would counsel him to rather do that which is right. While instincts could be described as the Shaytan in man, ‘Conscience,’ they say, ‘is the ‘God’ in man.’ It is the natural ‘consultant’ in man.
One does not need to hide in order to do good, speak the truth, glorify Allah’s name, enjoin good or forbid a wrong because these are praiseworthy deeds. It is only when an act is scandalous or shameful that a corrupt or criminally-minded person hides somewhere or disguises or waits for the sun to set before engaging in acts that are immoral. The prophetic saying that ‘one could do anything provided it is not shameful’ implicitly bans every act of immorality, every act of abomination, every act of evil and every act of immodesty. The prophet’s declaration in this tradition forbids a Muslim from indulging in any act that is damnable, contemptible, obnoxious, repulsive, detestable, horrid or loathsome.
The list of all shameful deeds that must be eschewed cannot be exhausted in a newspaper column. However, our conscience is expected to guide us to shun acts that are indecent, and therefore shameful. No person that is fully woken to his conscience can openly engage in a shameful act because it is disgraceful. This implies that anything, which a man cannot do publicly and before the naked and conscious eyes of others, is thus forbidden.
It is because theft is discreditable that thieves usually choose to steal at night. It is because adultery and fornication are disgraceful acts that they are perpetrated in the dark. Forgery, eavesdropping and backbiting are deeds that cannot be done overtly. They are rather done under cover because they are shameful. Another implication of this hadith is that the word ‘shameful’ is synonymous to ‘sinful’. It is those who disobey the good counsel of their conscience that engage in shameful and sinful acts.
Sadly, the prophetic code in the hadith under reference seems to have been reversed by our current generation of shameless men and women. By their attitude, they have altered the expression from ‘If it’s not shameful, do as you wish’ to ‘If it’s shameful, do as you wish’. For instance, it is because teachers including some deviant professors lack shame that they sexually harass female students. It’s because parents have lost shame that they abet their children to engage in exam malpractice or even fight their teachers. Of course, when a person lacks shame, he or she could do anything; Subhana-llah!
When conscience is lost, there would be no shame. Indeed, shamelessness takes over and rules when conscience fails to function as a moral power. In a world where conscience is a taboo, lying becomes a functional tool rather than a moral boundary. In a population of minds that have no conscience, people exhibit all the three basic traits of a hypocrite. The traits of a hypocrite, according to the Prophet (SAW) are that, ‘When he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he defaults; and when he’s entrusted, he betrays.’ This description fits no group as it suits the character of Nigerian politicians; all because majority of them lack conscience and are therefore shameless.
A deficit in conscience hoodwinks an individual to act against common sense. When, for instance, conscience is lost in a woman, she becomes shameless and treats her husband with vulgarity and unreserved disrespect. A man who is brazenly shameless thinks the only way to care for his wife is to be crude and refuse her the right to enjoy express kindness, empathy, compassion, and sheer love from him. Children who grow up under shameless parents are unlikely to appreciate the natural law of conscience that guides an individual to experience remorse, guilt, or shame after infringing on the rights of others. Although such children could experience anger and frustration, they would lack deep moral emotions like compassion and gratitude.
When conscience fails to function as an internal ‘brake system,’ a shameless personality seeks to freely exploit the vulnerabilities of others for personal gains. When shamelessness becomes a norm, cultural values and collective public trust are threatened. Citizens would, thus, begin to act without remorse, and the collective confidence or trust required to build national cohesion simply breaks down.
As believers, let us avoid anything shameful; and to do everything that is righteous. Uprightness begets respect and honour in the sight of Allah (SWT). May Allah save us from losing our conscience to Shaytan, Amin.