What is considered a sign of distance from God in the Quran?

In the luminous verses of the Holy Quran, several signs are enumerated that indicate a spiritual distance from Almighty God. These signs prompt every believer to reflect deeply and pave the way for repentance and divine closeness. They are not merely superficial actions but have deep roots in the human heart and soul, signifying an internal state that gradually distances a person from the light of divine guidance. Understanding these signs helps us to evaluate ourselves and embark on a path of spiritual rectification and growth. One of the most prominent and perilous signs of distance from God is 'heedlessness' (Ghaflah) and 'turning away from God's remembrance.' Heedlessness implies forgetfulness and unawareness of the Lord's presence and the primary purpose of creation, ultimately leading to neglect of divine verses and religious commandments. This heedlessness can be gradual; it might begin with a slight disregard for prayers and acts of worship, and then escalate to indifference towards truths and God's signs in the universe. The Holy Quran explicitly addresses this issue; for instance, in Surah Taha, verse 124, it states: "And whoever turns away from My remembrance - indeed, he will have a difficult life, and We will gather him on the Day of Resurrection blind." This verse clearly demonstrates that turning away from God's remembrance leads not only to dire consequences in the Hereafter but also to a life filled with spiritual and emotional distress in this world. A 'difficult life' ('Ma'ishatan Dhanka') signifies a life that, despite abundant material resources, lacks true peace and happiness, because the human soul, by forgetting the ultimate source of peace, God, remains in a state of confusion and anxiety. A heedless person no longer seeks truth or listens to the call of their heart; they cease to remember God and devote themselves solely to the transient worldly life. Heedlessness is a spiritual veil that prevents one from deeply understanding truths and causes one to lose sight of life's purpose, pursuing fleeting worldly goals without considering the afterlife's consequences. This state can gradually weaken an individual's connection with their Creator, drawing them into a spiral of indifference toward their divine responsibilities. Another significant sign is 'arrogance and pride' (Kibr) and the rejection of truth. Arrogance is a psychological state where an individual perceives themselves as superior to others, even above divine command, and refuses to accept God's truths and guidance. This satanic trait is a primary hindrance to spiritual growth and transcendence. Satan (Iblis) himself refused to prostrate before Adam due to his arrogance and was expelled from God's presence. In Surah Al-A'raf, verse 146, the Quran says: "I will turn away from My signs those who are arrogant upon the earth without right." This verse reveals that arrogance creates a veil between a person and divine signs (both the signs in creation and the legislative verses in the Quran), thereby preventing their guidance. An arrogant individual closes their ears to admonition and their heart to divine light, ultimately leading to distance rather than closeness. Arrogance stems from ignorance and self-conceit, and because an arrogant person sees themselves as self-sufficient and independent of God, it inevitably pushes them away from the Almighty. An arrogant person loses the ability to see God's signs around them and deviates from the straight path. Arrogance not only distances an individual from truth but also strains their relationships with fellow human beings, depriving them of collective grace and divine blessings. This vile characteristic traps a person in a prison of selfishness and conceit, preventing them from admitting their weaknesses and needs, and from striving for spiritual growth. Furthermore, 'excessive love for worldly life and prioritizing it over the Hereafter' is another distinct indicator of distance. When a person dedicates all their efforts and concerns to accumulating wealth and worldly pleasures, forgetting the Hereafter, they gradually drift away from God. This does not condemn worldly life itself, but rather condemns 'excessive attachment' to it, to the extent that the primary purpose of creation and the eternal destiny of humanity are forgotten. In Surah Yunus, verses 7 and 8, it is stated: "Indeed, those who do not expect the meeting with Us and are satisfied with the worldly life and feel secure in it, and those who are heedless of Our signs - those will have their abode in the Fire because of what they used to earn." These verses explicitly show that finding contentment in this world and being heedless of the Hereafter leads to a dire outcome and causes distance from divine mercy. This world, as the cultivation ground for the Hereafter, should be a means to achieve divine closeness, not an independent and permanent goal. When a person becomes consumed by worldliness, divine and spiritual values diminish in their eyes, and instead of seeking refuge in God during hardships, they seek material solutions. This itself is a great sign of distancing from the ultimate source of power and peace. A worldly person directs all their efforts and aspirations towards acquiring the ephemeral benefits of this world, neglecting preparation for eternal life. This unending pursuit of worldly gains leads to forgetting the transient nature of this world and the permanence of the Hereafter, diverting individuals from the straight path of servitude and pushing them towards mere materialism, which itself causes distance from God and a deep inner void. Finally, 'persistent disobedience and sin, and the hardening of the heart' are also serious signs of distance from God. Every sin leaves a black mark on the heart, and its repetition leads to its hardening and insensitivity. A hardened heart no longer accepts divine light and finds no joy in the remembrance of God. This state prevents repentance and return. In Surah Al-Ma'idah, verse 13, it is stated: "So for their breaking of the covenant We cursed them and made their hearts hard. They distort words from their [proper] usages and have forgotten a portion of that by which they were reminded." This verse illustrates how breaking the divine covenant (disobedience and sin) leads to divine curse and hardening of the heart, and hardened hearts, in turn, cause distortion of truth and forgetting God's remembrance. This is a vicious cycle that distances a person further and further from the divine path. A hardened heart is no longer able to receive divine graces, and the feeling of remorse and repentance vanishes within it. When a person becomes accustomed to sin, the boundaries of lawful and unlawful blur for them, and they no longer feel shame from committing sins. This indifference to sin is a clear sign of a deep chasm with the Creator. The hardening of the heart removes one from the sense of moral and spiritual responsibility, leading to selfishness and cruelty, which ultimately severs the connection with the source of mercy and kindness, Almighty God. This condition eradicates remorse and repentance, denying the individual the opportunity to return and reform. In essence, the signs of distance from God in the Holy Quran act as warning lights. These signs are an invitation to review one's life, rectify intentions and actions, and strive to draw closer to the source of peace and guidance. Almighty God has always kept the door of repentance and return open, responding with His mercy and forgiveness to every step taken towards Him. Therefore, whenever one of these signs appears within us, we should recognize it as an opportunity for awakening and returning to the loving embrace of God, so that we may live a life full of peace, meaning, and blessings. Distancing oneself from this path means being deprived of endless divine grace and falling into spiritual and physical distress that can only be alleviated by returning to Almighty God. Thus, these signs are not for despair, but for awakening and moving towards the light.