Is Forgetting a Sin a Sign of Purity or Negligence?

To answer whether forgetting a sin is a sign of purity or negligence, it must be stated that from the perspective of the sublime teachings of the Holy Quran, forgetting a sin—in the sense of ignoring or disregarding it—is not a sign of purity. Rather, in many cases, it can be a symptom of "negligence" (ghaflah) and heedlessness towards divine and human responsibilities. True purity in Islam (tazkiyah al-nafs, or purification of the soul) is an active, conscious, and continuous process achieved through "tawbah nasuh" (sincere repentance), "dhikr" (remembrance of Allah), and "muhasabah al-nafs" (self-accountability). The Quran repeatedly calls on humanity to remember their deeds, both good and bad, and emphasizes accountability and responsibility before Allah. Forgetting a sin without remorse, seeking forgiveness, and changing one's behavior can lead to its repetition and create a barrier between the servant and their Lord. Therefore, merely forgetting a sin without going through the stages of repentance and purification is a sign of unawareness and a departure from the path of spiritual perfection. The Holy Quran explicitly emphasizes the importance of "remembrance" and "repentance" for achieving salvation and purity. In truth, the path to purity is not through intentional oblivion or disregarding faults, but rather through a "conscious return" to God and correcting one's life path. When a person commits a sin, their heart acquires a dark spot. This spot is cleansed through repentance and seeking forgiveness, not by forgetting the sin. Forgetting a sin without repentance is akin to someone hiding a wound under their clothes and believing it has healed, while the infection continues to spread. Remembering a sin (after repentance and seeking forgiveness, and not in a way that leads to despair) can serve as a warning and prevent its repetition. This remembrance is a sign of spiritual vigilance and wakefulness, not negligence. Negligence (ghaflah) is a concept frequently condemned in the Quran. Heedless individuals are those who turn away from the remembrance of Allah, from His divine signs, and from the purpose of their creation. Forgetting sins without feeling remorse and striving to make amends is itself a form of ghaflah. Satan constantly tries to make sin appear trivial in the eyes of humans and to make them forget their sins and their need for repentance. Satan's goal is for humans to sink deeper into sin and either despair of Allah's mercy or consider their sins insignificant. The Holy Quran teaches us that we should always be mindful of our deeds and know that everything is recorded and will be accounted for before divine justice. This awareness prevents negligence and guides a person towards repentance and seeking forgiveness. Repentance (tawbah), meaning return, is a voluntary and conscious act comprising three main pillars: first, remorse and regret for the sin; second, a firm decision to abandon that sin; and third, a resolve not to return to it in the future. If the rights of others are involved, restitution is also a condition for repentance. When a servant repents sincerely and wholeheartedly, Allah Almighty, who is All-Forgiving and Most Merciful, forgives their sins. At this stage, it is Allah who, by His grace and mercy, "covers" and "cleanses" the sin, not that the person forgets it. In reality, purity after sin is achieved not by forgetting that sin, but by the "erasure" of the sin's effect from the record of deeds through repentance and divine forgiveness. A person might recall the sin, but the burden of the sin is no longer on their shoulders, and the shame associated with it is removed after sincere repentance. The Holy Quran mentions in numerous verses that every deed, whether small or large, is recorded, and a person will see it on the Day of Judgment. This indicates that Allah is not unaware of our deeds, and our forgetfulness does not affect the divine reckoning. Therefore, the path to salvation and purity is not in forgetting sin, but in bravely confronting it, admitting fault, sincerely repenting, and seeking forgiveness from Allah. This process not only erases sins but also leads to spiritual growth and development, placing a person on the path of piety and closeness to Allah. Forgetting sins without this process can lead to further decline and distance from divine mercy, as it hinders the awakening of conscience and the feeling of responsibility. Thus, what signifies purity is vigilance against sins, remorse for them, and a sincere effort to gain the pleasure of the Lord, not concealing or ignoring them through forgetfulness. Ultimately, while Allah Almighty, in His forgiveness, erases the sin from His perspective and will not present it against the servant on the Day of Judgment (provided sincere repentance has occurred), this does not mean that the servant should themselves forget their sin. On the contrary, remembering past lessons and former mistakes can strengthen the resolve not to repeat sins and increase gratitude to Allah for the opportunity of repentance and forgiveness. This remembrance is not for regret and despair, but for learning lessons and moving forward on the path of perfection. So, if forgetting a sin means indifference and disregard, it is negligence; but if it means that Allah covers and erases it after repentance, then this is from the favors and mercy of Allah.