Page 42 - The Basic Concepts in the Qur’an

Heedlessness and Attention

In the Qur’an, Allah gives a detailed account of unbelievers who are devoid of
understanding. Allah explains in the Qur’an that the most striking characteristic of unbelievers
is the state of “heedlessness” they are in.

Many are the Jinns and men we have made for Hell: They have hearts with which
they do not understand, eyes with which they do not see, and ears with which they
do not hear. They are like cattle,- nay more misguided: for they are heedless (of
warning).
(Al-Araf, 179)

Such are those whose hearts, ears, and eyes have been sealed up by Allah, and they
take no heed.
(An-Nahl, 108)
Rather than acknowledging what is wrong with his behaviour, the individual who is
heedless of Allah’s wishes makes an all-out effort to disregard his misdeeds or to cover them up.
This resolute resistance and insistence on following vain desires, and hence not being wary of
them lest they lead him astray from what Allah has sent down to living is in fact, a vain attempt
to manifest his “so-called” innocence. Making up excuses for one’s mistakes is, by no means, a
way of exonerating oneself from faults, as is also evident from the verse that follows: “Indeed,
man will be evidence against himself, plead as he may with his excuses.” (Al-Qiyama, 14-15)
Excuses are only futile attempts to hide the decisions taken or actions made under the
influence of desires and lusts. The Qur’an especially refers to some of these pretexts:

But when they see some bargain or some amusement, they disperse headlong to it,
and leave you (i.e. the Prophet) standing. Say: “The (blessing) from the Presence of
Allah is better than any amusement or bargain! And Allah is the Best to provide (for all
needs).”
(Al-Jumua, 11)

Rather than putting forward pretexts, trying to have a deeper understanding of his misdeeds
would free man from the unheeding state he is in. Otherwise, persistance in this attitude will
lead man astray.In the Quran Allah states the heedless state of people and the regret they will
have in the hereafter;
Closer and closer to mankind comes their reckoning: yet they do not heed and they
turn away.
(Al-Anbiya, 1)

Then the true promise will draw near fulfillment: then behold! the eyes of the
unbelievers will fixedly stare in horror: “Ah! Woe to us! we were indeed heedless of
this; indeed, we truly did wrong!”
(Al-Anbiya, 97)

And keep your soul content along with those who call on their Lord morning and
evening, seeking His pleasure! and do not let not your eyes pass beyond them,
seeking the pomp and glitter of this Life; nor obey any whose heart We have
permitted to neglect the remembrance of Us, one who follows his own desires, whose
case has gone beyond all bounds.
(Al-Kahf, 28)