What is the spiritual (Irfaani / akhlaaqi) connection, if any, in regards to forgetfulness (memory)? Is a person who constantly forgets things, whether worldly or religious, suffering from some form of the spiritual disease? Is there any evidence for this? Any remedies?
Concise answer
As it is mentioned in the following Dua (prayer), undoubtedly forgetfulness is an undesirable state in which we should seek refuge with Allah from.
«اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّی أَعُوذُ بِکَ مِنَ النِّسْیَانِ وَ الْکَسَلِ وَ التَّوَانِی فِی طَاعَتِکَ وَ الْفَشَل وَ مِنْ عِقَابِکَ الْأَدْنَى وَ عَذَابِکَ الْأَکْبَر»[1]
O Allah! I seek refuge with you from the forgetfulness, laziness, weakness in worshipping you and from your nearest penalty and greatest punishment.
Although in this dua, the forgetfulness is mentioned along with the laziness in worshipping Allah the Almighty, but it certainly does not mean that if someone becomes forgetful he/she has been falling down spiritually.
However, some material factures such as senility, concussions and so forth can bring forgetfulness in many cases, but it may occurred as a punishment or an examination by Allah the Almighty.
What solution that is able to attenuate the forgetfulness is to improve our memory. For further information in this regards please refer to the following indexes in which that is mentioned some kinds of solutions by the infallibles (a.s).
1. Improving memory, question 870.
2. An effective natural medicine, question 11609.
[1] . Sheikh Tusi, Muhammad ibn Hassan, Misbah al-motahajid and Silah al-mota'abbed, volume 2, p 477, Shia jurisprudence institution, Beirout, first edition, 1411.
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