How Not to Forget God Amidst Pleasures?

Forgetting God amidst pleasures and blessings is a perennial challenge for humanity. At the pinnacle of comfort and abundance, the temptation to neglect the ultimate source of these blessings, Almighty God, becomes remarkably strong. The Holy Quran offers numerous pathways to maintain one's connection with the Creator, even during moments of profound worldly enjoyment. The foremost and most critical approach is continuous and heartfelt gratitude. In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 152, Allah states: "So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me." This verse clearly indicates that remembering God (Dhikr) and showing gratitude (Shukr) are two sides of the same coin, serving as the primary means to prevent His forgetfulness. Gratitude extends beyond merely uttering "Alhamdulillah" (Praise be to Allah); it encompasses the proper utilization of blessings in accordance with divine will, serving creation, and refraining from extravagance and wastefulness. When an individual fully comprehends that everything they possess – wealth, children, health, success, and peace – are all divine gifts, they are less prone to arrogance and heedlessness. This perspective deters excessive attachment to worldly possessions and directs the heart towards the Creator. Imagine someone who has acquired immense wealth; if they perceive this wealth as a means to assist the needy, establish charities, or foster scientific and intellectual advancement, they are, in essence, employing it in God's way and demonstrating gratitude for His bounty. Conversely, if they exclusively use it for luxurious indulgence and frivolous pursuits, they will gradually fall into forgetfulness and ingratitude. Indeed, the blessing itself can be a conduit for drawing closer to God or drifting further away, entirely depending on how we utilize it. The Quran repeatedly emphasizes that wealth and children are merely adornments of this worldly life, whereas enduring good deeds (al-baqiyat al-salihat) are superior and more valuable. In Surah Al-Kahf, verse 46, we read: "Wealth and children are the adornment of the worldly life. But the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord in reward and better in [the hope of] aspiration." This verse reminds us not to be captivated by the ephemeral aspects of this world and to remain mindful of eternal values. Life amidst pleasures should not divert us from the ultimate purpose of creation, which is servitude to God. Another crucial method for remembering God is persistent engagement in Dhikr and acts of worship. Prayer, supplication, Quranic recitation, and contemplation of divine signs are all tools that keep the human heart alive and prevent it from being engulfed by materialism. Surah Ar-Ra'd, verse 28, declares: "Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured." This verse highlights that genuine tranquility is not found in transient worldly pleasures but exclusively in the remembrance of God. Material enjoyments are fleeting and can lead to an inner void, whereas the remembrance of God bestows a deep and enduring peace. Furthermore, giving charity and spending from what God has bestowed upon us is an effective way to prevent forgetting God and becoming overly attached to the world. When an individual spends a portion of their wealth in God's path, this act not only brings blessings to their life but also purifies their soul from stinginess and materialistic attachments, reminding them that the true Proprietor of everything is God, and they are merely a trustee responsible for managing resources righteously. Finally, understanding that both joys and hardships are divine tests can help us not to forget God even amidst pleasures. Humans, in every state, whether in prosperity or adversity, are subject to divine trials. As stated in Surah Al-Fajr, verses 15 and 16: "And as for man, when his Lord tries him and [thus] is generous to him and favors him, he says, 'My Lord has honored me.' But when He tries him and restricts his provision, he says, 'My Lord has humiliated me.'" These verses illustrate that humans might interpret abundant blessings as a sign of honor and restricted provisions as a sign of humiliation, whereas both states are merely tests from God. Grasping this truth keeps an individual mindful of their Creator in both circumstances. Therefore, to avoid forgetting God amidst pleasures, we must continually be grateful, persevere in remembrance and worship, utilize divine blessings in ways that please Him, and always recall that this world is transient and true reward lies in servitude and righteous deeds. Through this approach, we will not only avoid heedlessness during times of immense joy but will also transform these pleasures into bridges for greater proximity to God, experiencing a profound and lasting inner peace.