Reasons for Negligence
Ignorance and Neglecting the Pursuit of Knowledge
Ignorance of Allah – the Almighty – His names, attributes, and acts, as well as ignorance of His religion, profoundly impacts one’s awareness. A person who understands that Allah is All-Watching, aware of secrets and hidden things, is not comparable to someone engrossed in worldly affairs, neglecting the remembrance of Allah and lacking knowledge of what is permissible and impermissible. It was first commanded by Allah – the Almighty – in His Book: “Read,” for reading nourishes the soul, revitalizes faith, and equips individuals with beneficial knowledge for the Hereafter. Ignorance envelops a person from all sides, leading them to be heedless of what lies ahead.
By examining the ages of the Companions upon their conversion to Islam, we notice that both Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq and Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with them) embraced Islam and sought knowledge in their senior years. Hence, an individual, regardless of reaching the age of eighty, should never cease the pursuit of knowledge, for, in the eyes of Allah, the knowledgeable cannot be equated with the ignorant under any circumstances.
Excessive Hope
According to Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stated: “The heart of an old man remains youthful with two things: love for this world and excessive hope.” Regardless of age, individuals retain significant aspirations for life, often becoming inflated with pride regarding their health and wealth.
However, death can strike unexpectedly, and no soul’s faith will benefit it if it did not believe before. An abundance of hope and attachment to the worldly life may blind a person to the realities of the Hereafter, such as Paradise and Hell, leading them to engage in sinful acts and neglect acts of worship.
As one’s hopes extend, one’s deeds may diminish. Whatever you are certain will come, believe that it is indeed near. Most of those in the graves lament what they fell short of in righteous actions. While the people of this world compete over wealth, those in the graves regret that these possessions diverted them from truth and worship. This world is a trial, not a permanent abode, and the best provision is piety.
Other Factors Contributing to Negligence
Many factors can contribute to negligence, the most significant of which are:
- Neglecting or being indifferent towards Friday prayers.
- Sins: A multitude of sins can overshadow the heart, preventing it from recognizing and responding to the truth. Continuous sinning without repentance distances an individual from the path of righteousness.
- Disregard and Following Desires: How often do individuals listen to Allah’s verses warning them of Hell and encouraging them towards Heaven, yet they turn away and pursue their worldly desires?
- Bad Company: Many will regret on the Day of Judgment not having followed the Messenger and instead choosing bad companions, walking alongside them to misguidance. Allah – the Almighty – says: “And the Day the wrongdoer will bite his hands, he will say: ‘Oh, I wish I had taken with the Messenger a way! Oh, woe to me! I wish I had not taken so-and-so as a friend! He certainly led me astray from the remembrance after it had come to me. And ever is Satan, to man, a deserter.'” (Quran, 25:27-29)
- Excessive Laughter: Overindulgence in laughter indicates a person’s negligence towards the horrors of Judgment Day, the fire, and the punishment of Allah. Laughter regularly distracts individuals from the accountability that awaits them. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) relayed that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Do not laugh excessively, for excessive laughter deadens the heart.”
- Excessive Speech Unrelated to the Remembrance of Allah – the Almighty: Abdullah Ibn Umar reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Do not engage in excessive talk without the remembrance of Allah, for excessive speech without mention of Allah hardens the heart, and the furthest people from Allah are those with hardened hearts.”