Principle 46 — The Voice of the Conscience

Once one of the companions of the Prophet of Islam asked him about good and evil. The Prophet replied that one should seek the fatwa (opinion) from one’s own heart. (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith No. 18006) This means that one should ask oneself if one wants to know the answer. Good is that which comforts your heart, and evil is that which disturbs your heart. There is an innate quality in man—his conscience. One’s conscience is like a Court of truth. Our conscience immediately tells us what is right and what is wrong; in other words, which attitude is right and which attitude is wrong. If a man only listens to the voice of his conscience, it will suffice to guide him.