Why Do I Think Less of God When Everything Is Good?

The question, "Why do I think less of God when everything is good?", delves into a profound aspect of human psychology and spiritual behavior, a phenomenon extensively addressed in the Holy Quran. The Quran, with its unparalleled insight into human nature, consistently highlights our natural inclination to become heedless during times of ease and prosperity, only to turn back to God with fervent prayers when adversity strikes. This is a universally recognized human experience: when we face difficulties, our hands immediately rise in supplication, our eyes might shed tears, and from the depths of our being, we turn to the Lord. However, once the dark clouds dissipate and the sun of comfort shines, that same intensity of devotion and focus on God can often wane. This phenomenon is not merely a personal failing but a recognized trait within the human disposition, as repeatedly mentioned in several Quranic verses. Allah (SWT) explicitly refers to this truth in the Quran. For instance, in Surah Yunus, verse 12, He states: "And when adversity touches man, he calls upon Us, lying on his side or sitting or standing; but when We remove from him his adversity, he passes on as though he had never called upon Us for an adversity that touched him. Thus is it made fair-seeming to the transgressors that which they used to do." This verse beautifully illustrates how deeply human beings seek refuge in God during hardship, only to quickly forget their past pleas and revert to their usual state once the difficulty is removed. This forgetfulness is a form of "excess" (israf) regarding the blessing and a disregard for its true source and Giver. In another verse, in Surah Al-Isra, verse 83, Allah says: "And when We bestow favor upon man, he turns away and maintains his distance; but when evil touches him, he is full of despair." This verse points to another crucial aspect: ease and blessings can not only lead to heedlessness but can also result in arrogance and distancing oneself from God. Humans sometimes mistakenly believe that their successes and blessings are solely the result of their own efforts, overlooking God's role in them. This perception initiates a path that leads to forgetfulness and alienation from the Creator. Conversely, when confronted with evil or hardship, they become desperate and lose hope, as if forgetting that God's power is absolute and encompasses all things. The third and perhaps one of the most explicit verses on this matter is from Surah Az-Zumar, verse 8: "And when adversity touches man, he calls upon his Lord, turning to Him in repentance. Then when He bestows on him a favor from Him, he forgets that for which he called upon Him before, and he sets up rivals to Allah in order to mislead [others] from His way. Say, 'Enjoy your disbelief for a little; indeed, you are of the companions of the Fire.'" This verse not only describes the forgetfulness during ease but also warns that this forgetfulness can lead to subtle forms of polytheism (shirk khafi), such as placing excessive reliance on worldly means or becoming overly attached to things other than God, ultimately leading to deviation from His path. Roots of This Phenomenon from a Quranic Perspective: 1. Heedlessness and Forgetfulness (Ghaflah): Human beings are inherently prone to heedlessness. When life becomes easy and trouble-free, the human mind is easily drawn towards worldly affairs and fleeting pleasures, becoming distracted from the Originator, the Hereafter, and the true purpose of creation. This heedlessness gradually deepens, increasing the distance between the individual and God. 2. Divine Test (Fitnah): Prosperity and ease, just like hardships, are tests from Allah. Will the servant be grateful in times of blessing and not forget God? Or will they become rebellious and arrogant? The Quran emphasizes that Allah tests His servants with both good and evil (Surah Al-Anbiya, verse 35). Blessings are opportunities for greater gratitude, helping others, and drawing closer to Allah, not a reason for forgetfulness. 3. Love of the World (Hubb ad-Dunya): Excessive attachment to the world and its manifestations is a primary obstacle to remembering God. When a person becomes immersed in worldly pleasures and achievements, it is as if there is no room left for the remembrance of God and the Hereafter. This state is often considered the root of all errors and deviations. 4. Arrogance and Pride (Kibr): Continuous successes can lead to arrogance, causing an individual to believe that these achievements are solely the result of their own efforts and abilities, gradually seeing themselves as self-sufficient from God. This feeling of self-sufficiency is the antithesis of servitude and reliance on God. Quranic Solutions to Counter This Phenomenon: The Quran does not merely state the problem but also offers practical solutions: 1. Constant Gratitude (Shukr): Gratitude is the key to remembering blessings and their Giver. Gratitude is not only verbal but also demonstrated through actions and the proper use of blessings. In Surah Ibrahim, verse 7, Allah says: "If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe." Gratitude not only sustains blessings but also connects the heart to the remembrance of God. 2. Abundant Remembrance (Dhikr Kaseer): The Quran emphasizes the abundant remembrance of Allah in all states. Dhikr does not only mean saying "Allahu Akbar" or "Subhanallah" but signifies the presence of the heart and the remembrance of God in all aspects of life. The five daily prayers, recitation of the Quran, and supplication are all tools to maintain this constant remembrance. The believer's heart should always be connected to its Creator, whether in hardship or ease. In Surah Ar-Ra'd, verse 28, we read: "Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured." This tranquility is essential in both states of hardship and ease. 3. Self-Accountability and Reflection (Muraqabah and Muhasabah): A believer should constantly monitor their heart and thoughts, holding themselves accountable to see whether blessings have distanced them from God or brought them closer. This self-awareness prevents heedlessness. 4. Charity and Helping the Needy (Infaq): Using blessings in the way of Allah and helping others is a way to solidify gratitude and avoid arrogance. This practice helps individuals to constantly remember the suffering of others and Allah's favor upon themselves. 5. Renewing Faith and Contemplation of Creation: Reflecting on the grandeur of creation and the signs of God in the universe awakens the heart and strengthens faith. This contemplation should continue in both times of difficulty and ease. Ultimately, the goal of a believer's life is steadfastness on the straight path and maintaining a continuous connection with God under all circumstances. Ease and prosperity are opportunities for deeper gratitude and optimal use of blessings in pursuit of divine pleasure, not a reason for heedlessness and forgetfulness. A true believer, in both hardship and ease, is constantly uttering "Alhamdulillah" (All praise is due to Allah) and seeking "Ya Allah" (O Allah). Understanding this human characteristic and consciously striving to overcome it with the help of Quranic teachings can help us build a more stable relationship with our Creator.