Does Heedlessness Diminish Faith? How Can It Be Avoided?
Answered by Shaykh Bassem Itani
Question
Does heedlessness diminish faith? How can it be avoided?
Answer
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and blessings and peace be upon our master Muhammad, his Family, and all his Companions.
Yes, heedlessness (ghafla) does reduce one’s level of faith, and it is essential for a Muslim to avoid it. Heedlessness arises due to preoccupation with worldly matters, prolonged hopes, laziness in worship, ignorance of Allah’s teachings, and companionship with those who are harmful.
A person can avoid heedlessness through several methods, including:
Reading and Reflecting on the Quran
Regular recitation of the Quran, reflecting upon its verses, and listening to its recitation help remove heedlessness from the heart, as the Quran illuminates the darkness in the heart. Allah (Most High) says,
“Surely this Quran guides to what is most upright, and gives good news to the believers—who do good—that they will have a mighty reward.” [Quran, 17:9]
Consistent Remembrance of Allah and Voluntary Acts of Worship
Engaging frequently in the remembrance of Allah, performing voluntary prayers, making supplications, praying at night, and maintaining the morning and evening remembrances and the Prophet’s invocations after obligatory prayers all help the believer overcome heedlessness. Allah (Most High) says,
“…those who believe and whose hearts find comfort in the remembrance of Allah. Surely in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find comfort.” [Quran, 13:28]
Studying the Stories of the Prophets and the Life of the Prophet Muhammad
Reading about the Prophets in the Quran and studying the Prophet’s life with reflection awakens the heart and mind from heedlessness, as these stories embody the vitality of faith and conscious awareness. Allah (Most High) says,
“In their stories there is truly a lesson for people of reason. This message cannot be a fabrication; rather, (it is) a confirmation of previous revelation, a detailed explanation of all things, a guide, and a mercy for people of faith.” [Quran, 12:111]
Choosing Righteous Companions and Associating with Scholars
The righteous company, such as sitting with scholars and keeping the company of pious individuals, creates an environment that encourages faith, good deeds, and regular prayer in the congregation, helping one avoid heedlessness. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,
“The example of a good companion and a bad companion is that of the seller of musk and the blacksmith: as for the seller of musk, either he will give you some, or you will buy some from him, or you will smell a pleasant fragrance from him. As for the blacksmith, either he will burn your clothes, or you will smell a foul stench from him.” [Bukhari]
Supplicating to Allah for Help
Anyone who feels heedless should turn to Allah in sincere supplication, asking with their heart to be granted spiritual awareness and to be removed from heedlessness. Allah (Most High) says,
“When My servants ask you (O Prophet) about Me: I am truly near. I respond to one’s prayer when they call upon Me. So let them respond (with obedience) to Me and believe in Me, perhaps they will be guided (to the Right Way).” [Quran, 2:186]
To conclude with a reminder from Imam Ghazali:
“The key to happiness is alertness and insight, while the root of misery is vanity and heedlessness. No blessing is greater than faith and knowledge, and no means to them is more direct than opening the heart to the light of insight. Conversely, the gravest punishment is disbelief and sin, driven only by a darkened heart lost in ignorance.” [Ghazali, Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din]
[Shaykh] Bassem Itani
Shaykh Dr. Bassem Itani
Shaykh Dr. Bassem Hussayn Itani was born in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1965. He earned his Ph.D. in Islamic Studies in 2005. Among his mentors were Shaykh Muhammad Taha Sukkar, Shaykh Adib al-Kallas, Shaykh Mulla Abdul ‘Alim al-Zinki, Shaykh Abdul Rahman al-Shaghouri, Shaykh Abdul Razzaq al-Halabi, Shaykh Dr. Mustafa Dib al-Bugha, Shaykh Dr. Wahba al-Zuhayli, Dr. Muhammad al-Zuhayli, and others, may Allah have mercy on them all.
Shaykh Itani has a rich background in both academic and administrative fields. He has held significant positions in many governmental and non-governmental institutions in Lebanon and abroad. This includes his role as a member of the Academic Committee at SeekersGuidance and a senior teacher with the free online global seminary.
From 2020 to 2021, he served as the Dean of the College of Da‘wa – University for Islamic Studies (Lebanon) – Postgraduate Studies. He was the Director of Dar Iqra for Islamic Sciences from 1998 to 2018. Shaykh Itani is a well-versed teacher in several academic subjects, including Fiqh, Usul, Aqida, and Tafsir. He has supervised and examined numerous Master’s and Doctoral theses at various universities and colleges in Lebanon.
His contributions to Islamic sciences are also evident in his writings and research. His notable works include “The Relied-upon Statements of Imam Zufar in the Hanafi School,” “Collective Ijtihad: The Sublimity of Thought in the 21st Century,” and “Custom and its Impact in Islamic Jurisprudence.” Shaykh Itani has actively participated in numerous scientific conferences and seminars, both in Lebanon and internationally. He is linguistically adept, excelling in Arabic, proficient in French, and comfortably conversant in English.
