Why Do I Experience Spiritual Forgetfulness?

Spiritual forgetfulness, often referred to as 'Ghaflah' in Islamic terminology, is a state where the human heart and mind deviate from the remembrance of God and the primary purpose of creation. Instead of focusing on eternal and spiritual matters, one becomes engrossed in transient worldly affairs. This phenomenon is repeatedly warned against in the Holy Quran, which elucidates its causes and consequences. Spiritual forgetfulness doesn't occur suddenly; rather, it is the cumulative result of various internal and external factors that gradually lead an individual away from the path of truth and cause them to neglect their fundamental mission in life. One of the foremost reasons for spiritual heedlessness is an 'excessive attachment to the worldly life and its fleeting pleasures.' The Quran addresses this extensively in numerous verses, presenting the allurements of the world as a source of deception and distraction. Naturally, humans are drawn to wealth, children, social status, and the comforts of this life. However, when this natural inclination transcends moderation and transforms into an 'overriding love' or the 'central focus of life,' it creates a veil between the individual and the ultimate reality. When one's entire preoccupation revolves around acquiring and accumulating wealth, competing for positions, or immersing oneself in entertainment and desires, there remains little room for the remembrance of God, contemplation of divine signs, or preparation for the Hereafter. This excessive attachment makes people forget that this life is merely a passage and their true destination is the eternal abode. As the heart becomes saturated with materialism, its capacity to receive divine light and spiritual knowledge diminishes, gradually leading to spiritual amnesia. The relentless pursuit of material success, without regard for spiritual aspects, can ironically lead to a sense of emptiness and lostness, even for those at the pinnacle of worldly achievement. This forgetfulness prevents individuals from understanding the wisdom and purpose behind life's events, trapping them in an endless cycle of insatiable material desires. The Quran repeatedly warns that this excessive preoccupation with the world can deprive a person of divine remembrance and true blessings, leading them towards eternal loss. This is precisely what makes individuals forget their noble purpose of creation and dedicate all their efforts to matters that ultimately will yield no benefit in the hereafter. Another significant cause is 'sins and disobedience.' Every sin, whether minor or major, leaves a dark stain on the heart. The repetition of sins expands these dark spots, gradually hardening and darkening the heart to the point where it can no longer receive divine light and guidance. A darkened heart becomes less receptive to divine guidance, and its inclination towards remembering God and performing good deeds diminishes. The Quran identifies sin as the primary factor in human downfall and estrangement from divine mercy. When individuals become immersed in sin, their conscience progressively becomes numb, blurring the distinction between right and wrong. This spiritual numbness causes them to overlook even divine warnings and admonitions. Sins not only weaken one's connection with God but also have profound psychological and spiritual consequences, including anxiety, regret (which might be suppressed rather than leading to repentance), and a sense of worthlessness, all of which impede spiritual flourishing. Continuous engagement in sin casts a veil over the heart, preventing it from perceiving spiritual truths and trapping the individual in a vicious cycle of heedlessness and transgression. This forgetfulness can reach a point where one considers their wrongful actions normal or even rationalizes them. Moreover, sins, especially hidden ones, can induce a sense of shame, leading to avoidance of God's remembrance and an attempt to hide oneself from divine presence, thereby weakening one's spiritual connection. This weakening, in turn, fosters further forgetfulness. 'Neglect of Dhikr (remembrance of Allah) and failure to recite and ponder the Quran' are also critical factors contributing to spiritual forgetfulness. Dhikr, encompassing prayer, Quran recitation, supplication, and general remembrance of Allah in daily life, is the spiritual nourishment of the heart. Just as the body perishes without food and water, the soul withers without Dhikr and connection to the Creator. Salah (prayer), recitation of the Quran, supplications (Du'a), glorifications (Tasbih), and any form of remembering Allah keep the heart alive and free it from heedlessness. When an individual distances themselves from these pure spiritual springs, their heart becomes dry and darkened, easily susceptible to satanic whispers. The Quran explicitly emphasizes the importance of Dhikr, identifying it as a source of peace for the heart. Neglecting these acts of worship and ignoring the meanings of the Quran immerses one in the darkness of ignorance and unawareness, deviating them from the path of guidance. The lack of consistency in Dhikr and Quranic recitation not only deprives the heart of spiritual light but also makes one indifferent to the true purpose of their life and may even lead them to completely forget it. This state is akin to an illness that gradually depletes a person's physical strength; without proper spiritual nourishment, the ability to understand and respond to the call of one's innate nature diminishes, and this decline, in turn, fuels spiritual forgetfulness. Many individuals, due to daily preoccupations or trivial entertainments, neglect Dhikr and contemplation of divine verses, and this neglect over time leads to complete oblivion of spiritual matters. The Holy Quran emphasizes that the remembrance of Allah and adherence to His commands are the means to escape heedlessness and achieve profound peace and insight, warning that whoever turns away from it harms only themselves. 'The whispers of Shaytan (Satan)' constantly play a fundamental role in fostering heedlessness. Shaytan is humanity's declared enemy, exerting all his efforts to divert individuals from the remembrance of God. Through whispers (waswas) and the beautification of sins, he lures people towards deviation, making evil appear good and good seem difficult. Shaytan discourages the remembrance of God by instilling fear of poverty, encouraging extravagance, creating discord and enmity, and sowing seeds of despair. Forgetting God's remembrance provides fertile ground for Shaytan's infiltration and his dominance over human thoughts and actions. The Quran repeatedly warns believers to seek refuge in Allah from Shaytan's whispers and to always remain vigilant. He strives to lead humanity astray and offers false promises to draw them towards destruction, ultimately causing them to forget their primary purpose of creation. These whispers can be very subtle, for instance, suggesting delaying prayer, trivializing backbiting, or rationalizing inappropriate actions. Shaytan exploits human weaknesses, strengthening envy, greed, and arrogance within individuals to steer them away from the path of piety and spirituality. Countering Shaytan's temptations requires constant vigilance, seeking forgiveness (Istighfar), and reliance on Allah's eternal power. Without this continuous struggle and alertness against his traps, one easily falls into the snare of heedlessness and deviates from their life's primary purpose. Finally, 'associating with heedless individuals and materialistic environments' can also fuel spiritual forgetfulness. Humans are highly impressionable beings. If one finds themselves in an environment where people prioritize material matters excessively and are heedless of spirituality, or if they associate with companions who divert them from the remembrance of God, they will gradually fall into the trap of heedlessness themselves and lose their spiritual direction. Choosing righteous company and a wholesome environment is a highly effective factor in preserving and strengthening faith and spiritual awakening. The Holy Quran advises believers to choose virtuous companions and to avoid gatherings where divine verses are mocked. Our living environment, online spaces, and even the media we consume can all push us towards heedlessness. If we are constantly exposed to content that solely emphasizes materialism and worldly pleasures, spiritual values unconsciously diminish in our minds. These environmental influences are so subtle that one might not notice the gradual changes in their attitude and behavior until they are completely distanced from their spiritual path. Therefore, to combat spiritual forgetfulness, we must consciously choose our environment and associates, seeking out spaces that remind us of God and the true purpose of life and guide us towards it. To overcome spiritual forgetfulness, the Quran offers numerous remedies: consistent Dhikr and remembrance of Allah, regular recitation and contemplation of the Holy Quran, sincere repentance (Tawbah Nasuh) from sins and continuous seeking of forgiveness, reflection on creation and divine signs, choosing righteous companions, and engaging in Jihad an-Nafs (struggle against one's lower self). By implementing these principles, one can keep the heart awake, free oneself from the clutches of heedlessness, and lead a life full of peace and purpose. Indeed, it is in the remembrance of Allah that hearts find tranquility and one realizes their true existential reality, thus no longer falling victim to spiritual forgetfulness.