Trial of Conscience From the book: Adam in the Parallel World

In this story from his book Adam in the Parallel World, critic and writer Saber El-Ganzouri opens a timeless question: What would happen if a human being were forced to stand face to face with their own conscience?

With a deeply symbolic and highly aware vision, the text carries us into a world where cities come to a halt, bells ring, and judgment moves from the courtroom into the inner self. There is no judge except conscience, and no witnesses except actions.

It is a story about repentance when it becomes an act, and about innocence that cannot be granted by words, but must be restored through truth, mercy, and a return to God.

Trial of Conscience

The caller cried out across the land of Al-Mahrousa:

“O people of Al-Mahrousa, the people of authority and decision, the judiciary, the rulers and advisers, the people of wisdom and thought, and the men of faith among sheikhs and priests have gathered and issued the following declaration: What is happening in our country is nothing but the wrath of God, and we must all return to Him and repent. Repentance is not merely words. It is action.”

May God be pleased with the land and its people. Yet this will not happen unless the people put themselves on trial, so that the innocent may be cleared and the guilty may be judged.

“Judge yourselves, so that God may forgive you and lift this affliction from us. Every adult man and woman must come forward to stand trial before the self.”

At first, people thought the caller was mad, or one of those wandering mystics who roamed the streets shouting warnings and threats. They were astonished, mocked him, rejected what he said, laughed, and rushed to television screens, radios, computers, and social media platforms. Even their mobile phones began receiving the call through messages, until they realized that the matter was serious and not a joke.

They began to move from mockery into belief, yet the question remained: How? They stood in bewilderment, laughing, wondering, and exchanging jokes and sarcastic remarks.

The people of opinion, governance, wisdom, justice, religion, scholarship, and thought had gathered after fear and panic had spread across the land. Corruption had taken control, laziness had prevailed, prices had risen, and people’s lives had come to a halt. Chaos filled every place. After consultations and discussions, they agreed and issued the declaration.

There must be trials.

The scholars prepared the trial program.

There would be no judges, because the judges too would be judged.

Conscience would be the judge.

News followed one item after another. Television programs, newspapers, and every means of communication began discussing the program and the way the trials would be conducted. People became ready for what was coming and entered the stage of preparation. Everyone wanted to be purified. Everyone wanted to put themselves on trial. The preparation and organization period ended, and the trial program was ready.

Each person would choose the system that suited them. Everyone would pass through a lie detector, then receive a number and wait for their turn.

Those who knew how to use a computer would enter the website containing the program, register their names and details, then begin answering the questions. Once finished, they would learn the verdict according to their answers, take the result, and proceed either to the Square of Innocence or the Square of Condemnation.

Those who did not know how to use a computer, but could read and write, would take the forms and answer the questions, each according to their number and turn. After finishing, they would go to the computer station in their street to learn the result, then proceed to the fate written for them. Thus, a suitable program was prepared for every group, including those who could not see and those who could not hear.

The organization of the trials was completed: the dates, procedures, routes, locations, and all precautions needed for any reactions that might arise from people in the case of condemnation or acquittal.

On the day before the trials, church bells rang, the call to prayer rose from the minarets, and places of worship overflowed. People remained all day and all night in houses of worship and in the squares assigned for prayer and judgment.

And the trial began.

The questions of the program were:

“Did you not lie? Did you not steal? Did you not kill? Did you not take a bribe? Did you not hate? Did you not envy? Did you not hold grudges? Did you not backbite? Did you not bear false witness? Did you not commit an obscenity, a sin, or a slander? Did you not consume the wealth of an orphan? Did you not trade in your religion and bully people? Did you not secure your own safety and the safety of your family while neglecting your homeland? Did you not spread corruption on earth?”

The trials ended.

No one went to the Square of Innocence.

Everyone went to the Square of Condemnation.

News agencies and social media platforms across the world carried the story. The trials were given a name that topped every headline, every website, and every satellite channel:

“The Trial of Conscience.”

The Square of Innocence remained empty, while the Square of Condemnation filled and overflowed with people. Tears poured until they almost became a river beneath their feet. The question was everywhere: Should we kill ourselves, or wait for the judgment of heaven? All cities became empty of people, except for children and young ones.

Something strange was happening in the empty city near the two squares.

A little girl was walking toward that place, steady and filled with an energy of love. She continued on her path until some of the officers responsible for security and order noticed her. They had been brought in from other countries.

They asked her, “Where are you going?”

She said, “There.”

The news spread, and every media outlet followed her live on air.

The journey of the angel-faced girl was tracked.

Her eyes were green, her skin pure and white. She wore a white robe and a transparent white veil, beneath which strands of golden hair appeared, the color of wheat stalks in the season of harvest.

She walked on, paying no attention to anyone. Nothing occupied her except the murmurs and prayers moving across her lips. No one could hear her. No one knew what she was saying.

Her procession arrived there. She went to the Square of Condemnation and stood before its wall. She smiled, then wept, then smiled again.

The people became certain that this child was a messenger of divine care, and that salvation lay in her hands. She had been sent by God to them. They were waiting for the miracle.

Silence descended as a heavy guest upon the two squares, mingling with the majesty of the scene, its awe, and its anticipation. All the gates of the Square of Innocence stood open.

She entered through the great gate in the middle of the walls and sat on the ground with dignity, reverence, and humility. Her voice shook the silence. From the Qur’an, the Bible, and the Psalms, she recited and chanted verses of repentance and forgiveness, while everyone in the Square of Condemnation wept, pleaded, and prayed.

“Ibtihal” was in the Square of Innocence, and the world watched what was happening as news agencies carried the solemn scene.

Ibtihal’s voice rose powerfully:

“Lord!”

With it, the sound of weeping rose, and tears fell. The afternoon passed in peace, and dusk arrived without permission, but the sun refused to set.

The sky was covered by a white cloud, and a breeze carried the scent of musk, which quickly spread through the squares. The voices of prayer rose, and everyone became one powerful chorus:

“Lord... Lord...”

A light rain fell like a fine mist.

Ibtihal walked toward the walls of condemnation. A rainbow colored the sky. Hearts trembled, voices softened, and the rain poured down. It wet her golden hair and fell upon her white face.

Her angelic voice stirred the silence.

She cried:

“Lord...”

Lightning flashed and thunder roared. The black clouds opened, and flocks of doves descended to the earth. She pointed toward them.

She said:

“It is the good news.

God has now forgiven you.

Come to the Square of Innocence.”

They came out toward her to carry her upon their shoulders. Then a white cloud descended, carried her, and rose with her into the sky.