Why Do Some People Shy Away from Spirituality?

The question of why some individuals drift away from spirituality is a profound one, touching upon the core of human nature and its relationship with the Divine. The Holy Quran, as a comprehensive guide for humanity, offers deep insights into this phenomenon, identifying several key reasons that cause people to distance themselves from spiritual principles and practices. These reasons are often intertwined, creating a complex web of internal and external pressures that pull individuals away from the path of spiritual growth and connection with their Creator. One of the most prominent reasons highlighted in the Quran for turning away from spirituality is the overwhelming love for worldly life (Dunya) and its fleeting allure. The Quran repeatedly warns humanity against being deceived by the temporary nature of this world and its adornments. In Surah Al-Kahf (18:46), Allah states, "Wealth and children are the adornment of worldly life; but the enduring good deeds are better with your Lord for reward and better for [one's] hope." This verse, along with many others, emphasizes that material possessions, social status, and transient pleasures, while attractive, are ultimately ephemeral. When individuals become consumed by the pursuit of these worldly gains, their hearts become attached to what is temporary and perishable. This attachment acts as a veil, obscuring the importance of the Hereafter and the spiritual dimension of existence. The constant chase for more wealth, higher status, or fleeting entertainment leaves little room for introspection, prayer, or connecting with the Divine. Spiritual practices, which often require patience, sacrifice, and detachment from immediate gratification, can seem burdensome or irrelevant to those whose focus is entirely external and materialistic. They prioritize instant comfort and pleasure over the profound and lasting peace found in a deep connection with God. This often leads to a hollow feeling despite outward success, as the soul, by its very nature, yearns for something deeper and more meaningful than what the material world alone can offer. The Quran vividly describes this preference for the temporal over the eternal in Surah Al-A'la (87:16-17): "But you prefer the worldly life, while the Hereafter is better and more enduring." This preference highlights a fundamental misalignment of priorities that leads to a gradual, and sometimes rapid, spiritual decline. The glitter of this world blinds the inner eye to the eternal light of truth, making spiritual endeavors seem unappealing or even unnecessary. Another significant barrier to spirituality, frequently addressed in the Quran, is arrogance and self-sufficiency (Kibr and Istighna). Arrogance is a profound spiritual disease, often depicted as the very first sin committed by Iblis (Satan) when he refused to prostrate before Adam out of pride, believing himself superior due to his creation from fire, as recounted in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:34): "And [mention] when We said to the angels, 'Prostrate before Adam'; so they prostrated, except for Iblis. He refused and was arrogant and became of the disbelievers." This narrative serves as a timeless warning against the perils of pride. An arrogant person believes they are self-sufficient, superior in intellect, wealth, or status, and therefore do not need guidance from a higher power or the teachings of prophets. This mindset leads to a rejection of truth simply because it comes from an external source or challenges one's inflated self-image. The Quran states in Surah Al-A'raf (7:146), "I will turn away from My signs those who are arrogant upon the earth without right; and if they should see every sign, they will not believe in it." Such individuals may view spirituality as a weakness, a crutch for the weak-minded, or an antiquated concept. Their ego prevents them from humbling themselves before God, from admitting their limitations, and from seeking divine wisdom. They may intellectually dismiss religious texts or spiritual experiences, preferring to rely solely on their own limited reason and desires. This self-inflicted blindness makes them deaf to the subtle calls of the spirit and the clear signs of God in the universe, leading to a profound alienation from the Divine and a retreat from anything that challenges their self-inflated worldview. The more a person relies solely on their own perceived wisdom and strength, the less they feel the need for divine guidance, thus closing off their hearts to spiritual nourishment. Furthermore, heedlessness and forgetfulness of God (Ghaflah) play a crucial role in spiritual detachment. This is not necessarily an active rejection of spirituality, but rather a passive neglect and forgetfulness of God, the Hereafter, and one's ultimate purpose in life. In a world full of incessant distractions, individuals can easily become so engrossed in their daily routines, work, entertainment, and social lives that they simply forget to allocate time for spiritual reflection, prayer, or conscious connection with the Divine. The Quran frequently reminds humanity of their Creator and their inevitable return to Him, urging them not to be among the heedless. For instance, Surah Al-Hadid (57:16) asks, "Has the time not come for those who have believed that their hearts should become humbly submissive at the remembrance of Allah and what has descended of the truth? And let them not be like those who were given the Scripture before, and a long period passed over them, so their hearts hardened; and many of them are defiantly disobedient." This verse highlights how prolonged heedlessness can lead to a hardening of the heart, making it difficult to receive spiritual guidance or feel its impact. When one lives without mindfulness of God's presence, His blessings, and accountability in the afterlife, the spiritual dimension of life gradually fades into the background. The constant exposure to worldly affairs without a spiritual anchor dulls the heart's sensitivity. It's akin to a garden that is not watered – it slowly wihers away. This state of forgetfulness makes one susceptible to worldly temptations and less able to discern right from wrong, eventually leading to a complete alienation from the spiritual path and a feeling of emptiness despite material comforts. The human heart, when deprived of spiritual sustenance, becomes arid and loses its capacity for true peace and contentment. In conclusion, the Quran outlines a clear understanding of why some individuals may run away from spirituality. It attributes this departure primarily to an excessive love for worldly life, which distracts and blinds the heart; profound arrogance and self-sufficiency, which prevent humble submission to truth; and pervasive heedlessness and forgetfulness of one's ultimate purpose and Creator. These factors, individually or in combination, create significant barriers to experiencing the profound peace, guidance, and fulfillment that spirituality offers. The Quran, however, also provides the antidote: constant remembrance of God (dhikr), sincere introspection, seeking knowledge, cultivating humility, and prioritizing the eternal over the temporal. By consciously addressing these internal maladies, individuals can rediscover their innate spiritual inclination and return to a path of profound connection and inner peace. The journey back to spirituality is one of re-prioritization, self-awareness, and a humble return to the Divine source of all existence.