Dear Brothers and Sisters

The word “Wijdane” is derived from the Arabic verb “wajada,” which means “to find” or “to discover.” It is used to refer to what a person finds or discovers within their own conscience or heart. Just as in the external world, in the “Mawjudat” (creation), we find many signs of creation, in our inner world, in our “Wijdane” (conscience), we also discover countless signs of Allah (swt). Indeed, one of the names of the Almighty is “Al-Wajid,” which signifies the owner of the beauty reflected in all consciences.
We find compassion for children, respect for mothers and love for spouses in our hearts. The name for the goodness we find in our feelings and thoughts, without any influence from us, is “conscience.” That’s why the Prophet Muhammad (saw) advised his companions to keep their hearts filled with goodness and recommended we consult our consciences when making decisions. It is narrated from Enes ibn Malik that the Prophet (saw) said, “The hearts are between the two fingers of Allah; He turns them whichever way He wills.”[1]

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

Even in situations where there is no guide, conscience is a natural measure in the human being. It is not exclusive to believers but serves as a guide for those whose hearts have not been illuminated by the light of belief. Every person’s nature contains a conscience as a measure. This measure allows one to distinguish between good and evil, and between right and wrong. The Quran, which states, “then with the knowledge of right and wrong inspired it!”[2]refers to every person’s inherent ability to differentiate between good and evil within themselves. When asked, “What is sin?” the Prophet Muhammad (saw) said, “That which troubles your conscience.”[3] He described the pursuit of evil as an action contrary to one’s conscience.

Imam Al-Ghazali asserts that, by possessing reason, every individual has the ability to choose good over evil in the events they encounter. This means that every person, by their very nature, can distinguish between injustice and justice. Therefore, conscience is a spiritual source gifted by Allah (swt) that guides individuals toward what is good, right and beautiful.

Dear Jama’ah!

Human beings translate what they find in their conscience into their lives. Through their actions in life, they ultimately reach the hereafter. In the accounts of human history, we now judge those who caused wars through our conscience. This is because they are being judged in our conscience today for not doing what their consciences required of them. Despite their consciences calling them to the truth, they denied this call and, in fact, denied their true selves. Those who turn a blind eye to injustice in the Middle East and other regions, those who veil their hearts, are essentially turning a deaf ear to their own consciences’ call. If you hear the call of Truth in your conscience, know that you have heard the cries of the orphaned children and mothers without offspring.

Today, we address those who deny their own true selves: If you believe in the hereafter, then know that what you find in your conscience today is what you will find in the hereafter. Let us remember the verse of the Quran: “On the Day when neither wealth nor sons will avail, except for one who comes to Allah with a sound heart.”[4]

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

In the court of Allah (swt) tomorrow, what will be emphasised is not the power possessed or victories achieved in this world but the ability to approach Him with a sound heart. A sound heart is the shared conscience of those who abandon injustice and establish justice. Therefore, we invite all of humanity to listen to the voice of their own consciences. We call upon all of us to fulfill the duty of our shared conscience, which is to remove oppression from the earth and establish justice. We appeal to Allah (swt), who holds our hearts: O Allah, who transforms hearts from one state to another, make us among those who hear the voice of their conscience, make us the conscience of humanity and keep our hearts steadfast on the right path. Ameen.

[1] Tirmizi, Kader, 7

[2] Surah Ash-Shams 91:8

[3]  Müslim, Birr, 5

[4]  Surah Ash-Shu’ara 26:88-89

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