and condemns it, explains its evil outcome, and states that it is among the traits of the disbelievers and the characteristics of the hypocrites who turn away. Allah Most High says:

“Indeed, We have created for Hell many of the jinn and mankind. 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 livestock; rather, they are even further astray. It is they who are the heedless.” 1

He also says:

“Indeed, those who do not expect to meet Us, who are content with the life of this world and are reassured by it, and who are heedless of Our signs—it is they whose abode will be the Fire because of what they used to earn.” 2

And He says:

“They know only the outward aspect of the life of this world, while of the Hereafter they are heedless.” 3

There are many verses conveying this meaning.

The likeness of one who is heedless of remembering Allah is that of a dead person. We have already seen that remembrance is truly the life of the hearts: they have no life without it, and their need for it is greater than a fish’s need for water. The heart that remembers Allah is the living heart, whereas the heedless heart is the dead heart.

It is reported in the two Sahih collections from Abū Mūsā al-Asharī—may Allah be pleased with him—that the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—said: “The likeness of one who remembers his Lord and one who does not is that of the living and the dead.” Muslim’s wording is: “The likeness of a house in which Allah is remembered and a house in which Allah is not remembered is that of the living and the dead.”4

In this comparison, as al-Shawkānī—may Allah have mercy on him—says, “the one who remembers Allah has a distinction