Negligence: The Unsleeping Danger for Believers
Negligence stands as the most harmful enemy, a state where one is deluded by respite and forgets their final journey. As stated in Ghurar al-Hikam, 'Beware of negligence and being deluded by respite, for indeed negligence corrupts deeds, and death cut off hopes.
' This spiritual slumber is not merely a lapse in routine but a profound corruption of perception that leaves the believer unprepared for the inevitable encounter with the Divine.
The danger is particularly acute regarding the five daily prayers. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH & His Family) taught that as long as a believer guards his prayers, Satan fears him; however, once he becomes negligent, Satan overcomes him and leads him into sin.
This neglect places faith in grave danger, especially when one persists in major sins, leaving the believer tottering on the brink of eternal damnation.
Therefore, the soul must remain hovering between hope and fear, worshipping with both love and awe.
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وَهَذَا مَقَامُ مَنِ اسْتَحْيَا لِنَفْسِهِ مِنْكَ، وَسَخِطَ عَلَيْهَا، وَرَضِيَ عَنْكَ، فَتَلَقَّاكَ بِنَفْسٍ خَاشِعَةٍ، وَرَقَبَةٍ خَاضِعَةٍ، وَظَهْرٍ مُثْقَلٍ مِنَ الْخَطَايَا وَاقِفاً بَيْنَ الرَّغْبَةِ إِلَيْكَ وَالرَّهْبَةِ مِنْكَ
This is the station of him who is ashamed of himself before You, angry with himself, and satisfied with You. He meets You with a humble soul, a neck bent down, a back heavy with offenses, hesitating between longing for You and fear of You.
— Sahifa Sajjadiyyah, Prayer 32: His Supplication in the Night Prayer, Verse 19