The Awakening of the Conscience

The Imam of the mosque woke up some time before the dawn prayer. He went out of the mosque for some purpose and saw a man opening his shop. As it was still dark and to open a shop so early in the morning was quite unusual, he stopped and looked at him. He suddenly thought, “What will this man do first after entering this dark shop?” After thinking for a second he decided that the man would first switch on the light, because he would not be able to do anything while it was still dark inside the shop. Now he stood there looking at the shopkeeper to see if his guess was right. His guess was right. After opening the door of the shop, the shopkeeper reached first for the light switch. Now there was light inside the shop. Now the shopkeeper went inside and started doing his work.

By this example we can also understand the concerns of religion and the community or nation. A light has first to be switched on before doing religious or communal work. That means creating awareness of the conscience. To brighten a dark house or shop it requires light. In the same way, to carry out any real and profitable good work in the community or nation, the first requirement is to make the individuals of the community conscientious. The ability to think and understand has to be fostered. Without the light of conscience in the individual, no work of any value can be done.