Judul : Mastering Our Instincts
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Mastering Our Instincts
According to verses 4 and 5 of Surah Al-Tin, the Quran states that Allah (SWT) created humans in the most excellent form and endowed them with the purest nature. By appointing humans as His representatives on Earth, Allah has elevated them to a status higher than that of the angels, as while the angels never disobey Allah, humans, as vicegerents, possess free will and choice. Despite this elevated status, if humans neglect the guidance of their conscience when engaging in wrongdoing, they may descend to a level lower than that of animals, which is referred to in the Quran as 'the lowest of the low.' However, those who properly utilize their reasoning and let it be guided by their conscience can maintain their inherent purity.
While creatures depend on their natural instincts throughout their growth, instincts do not serve this function in humans. It is the application of reason and intelligence that governs not only human life but also sets humans apart from other animals. Through reason, humans are able to identify the correct path. Reason is one of the most significant blessings bestowed by Allah upon humanity. In the Quran, verse 67:23, it is stated: "Say: It is He who created you from nothing and granted you hearing, sight, and a heart, although few are those who express gratitude to Allah." The intellect is humanity's most valuable possession. It elevates individuals when they falter and strives to lead them when they are lost.
It is due to humanity's capacity to apply reason in distinguishing between right and wrong that Allah (SWT) granted him the option to choose between two paths; the correct one or the incorrect one. Allah (SWT) states in the Qur'an, verse 90:8-10, "Have We not provided him with two eyes? And a tongue, and two lips? And revealed to him the two roads (of good and evil)? In the vast battlefield within the human mind, there is an ongoing struggle between reason and instinct. These two forces are engaged in an unyielding conflict where each attempts to dominate the other. To benefit from our inner strengths and protect ourselves from their potential harm, we must place our instincts under the control of reason."
Moral conscience serves as a balancing force within the human mind. When individuals fail to use their reasoning correctly, they may be more prone to committing sins and engaging in vices. After committing an offense, a person often experiences a painful sensation of guilt and shame, which is referred to as conscience. This is why those who do not feel remorse or are not embarrassed by their wrongdoings are considered to lack a conscience. A man once inquired of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) about a sign that could reveal the truth of his own faith. The Prophet (SAW) responded: "If you take joy in the good you have done, then you are a true believer." The man then asked, "What constitutes a mistake?" The Prophet (SAW) replied: "When something causes your conscience to stir, avoid it."
Every time instincts try to affect or take over a person, the inner moral voice is always present to call him from within. This is the voice of conscience. The nature of conscience makes it one of the most fascinating aspects of creation, even though some psychologists, including Sigmund Freud, argue that conscience is a result of civilization and therefore has no fundamental role in the human mind. Freud does not acknowledge other internal factors that contribute to the origin of good and bad behavior. In contrast to Freud's theory, this writer believes that actions universally regarded as virtues or vices cannot be considered the result of repressed instincts. It is clearly evident that no society in the world considers dishonesty, injustice, and betrayal as virtues, nor does any society view honesty, justice, and trust as evils. Freud's theory might only be relevant if humans had learned to differentiate between good and evil through experience.
If the concept of conscience were viewed as a result of external environmental influences, then the behaviors of virtuous individuals who willingly forgo numerous pleasures in pursuit of higher ideals through self-sacrifice would still remain unexplained within Freud's framework. Conscience rarely errs in its assessments. The various mistakes people make in their social interactions stem either from errors in reasoning or perception, or from conscience losing its ability to resist instincts. Mistakes seen in human life cannot be attributed to faulty judgment by conscience, as it only evaluates the conclusions and information provided by the faculties of reason and the senses.
Conscience monitors human actions and expresses its findings at the right moment. An individual might speak words that contradict his inner beliefs. He could also conceal his hidden thoughts by controlling his outward behavior. Nevertheless, he cannot prevent the voice of conscience from speaking or stop it from reminding him of his wrongdoings. Conscience punishes the soul with feelings of guilt and remorse for every wrongdoing. Conscience represents the core of a person's character. It empowers individuals to resist temptations. It is conscience that helps a person stand firm and liberates him from being controlled by his own instinctive desires.
When persistent instincts attempt to challenge the role of reason and morality by binding humans to their desires, belief in Allah will serve as the strongest foundation. With genuine faith in Allah, reason and conscience can overcome instincts in every situation. Through faith, individuals can withstand the opposing force of temptations. The fear of Allah, known as Taqwa, enlightens the mind and unlocks the door to wisdom for humanity.
When devotion deeply influences the human heart, it restricts natural instincts. The reverence for Allah holds more influence than that of military leaders. To achieve the noble fate designed for us by Allah (SWT), as the finest of creation, we must choose to heed the voice of our conscience whenever it warns us. May Allah (SWT) help us let reason and conscience overcome our instincts, Amin.
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