Causes of Neglecting the Remembrance of Allah
Neglect is a serious affliction that, if it overtakes an individual, can result in a lack of engagement in the worship and remembrance of Allah. Instead, one may become preoccupied with distractions that divert attention from divine remembrance, which can lead to regrets and ruin in both this world and the hereafter. Several factors contribute to a person’s neglect, including the following:
- Ignorance of Allah – the Exalted – including His names, attributes, actions, and religion. Allah states: (Say, “Are those who know equal to those who do not know? Only those who possess understanding will reflect.”)
- Turning away and following one’s desires can close the doors of guidance while opening the paths to misguidance. This is evident in Allah’s words: (The time of their account has approached, yet they remain in heedlessness and are turning away. Whenever a reminder comes to them from their Lord, they listen to it while playing, and their hearts are in distraction.)
- Sins and transgressions are among the most significant reasons for neglect, clearly highlighted in the verse: (No, rather, they have covered their hearts with what they used to earn; indeed, on that Day, they will be veiled from their Lord.)
- Associating with the heedless or those with bad company can also lead to a neglectful heart. Allah warns against obeying those who have forgotten His remembrance: (And do not obey the one whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance and who follows his desires, and whose affair is in excess.)
- Neglecting prayers and missing congregational prayers, as stated by Abdullah ibn Abbas and Ibn Umar – may Allah be pleased with them – who heard the Prophet – peace be upon him – say: (People will cease to attend Friday prayers, or Allah will seal their hearts, and then they will be among the heedless.)
Verses Warning Against Neglect in the Quran
Neglect refers to being oblivious to something or failing to remember it. Several verses in the Quran warn against falling into neglect, including:
- Allah says: (And We have certainly created for Hell many of the jinn and mankind. They have hearts by which they do not understand, and they have eyes by which they do not see, and they have ears by which they do not hear. Those are like livestock; rather, they are more astray. It is they who are heedless.) This verse illustrates that, despite possessing faculties for sight and hearing, they are unable to benefit from them. In their neglect, they are even more misguided than livestock.
- Allah states: (Indeed, those who do not expect the meeting with Us and are satisfied with worldly life and are unconcerned with Our signs, their refuge will be the Fire because of what they used to earn.) This verse shows the punishment for those who neglect the remembrance of Allah and His signs, which is the Fire.
- Allah mentions: (They know what is apparent of worldly life, but they, of the Hereafter, are heedless.) This verse indicates that knowledge of the worldly life is of no benefit if a person neglects the Hereafter; the Quran prioritizes knowledge of Allah and the Hereafter.
Solutions for Overcoming Neglect in the Remembrance of Allah
Neglecting the remembrance of Allah leads to numerous dangers and causes individuals to miss the profound purpose of their creation, which is servitude to Allah. Therefore, it is essential to strive towards closeness to Allah and avoid neglect. Some ways to achieve this include:
- Knowledge: This entails understanding Allah, His Messenger, and the religion of Islam through evidence. One who truly knows Allah will love Him and detest neglect.
- Engaging in gatherings of remembrance serves as a remedy for the heedlessness of hearts; as reported by Anas ibn Malik – may Allah be pleased with him – who said: (When you pass by the gardens of Paradise, graze there.) They asked, “What are the gardens of Paradise?” He replied, “The circles of remembrance.”)
- Repentance and seeking forgiveness.
- Regularly exposing the heart to the Quran through reading, listening, and reflecting upon it.
- Supplication and earnest prayer to Allah.