Apathy, or al-futūr (الفتور), is something every believer experiences at some point in their journey of faith. The excitement and zeal that once fueled our acts of worship begin to fade. The enthusiasm we once had for salah, fasting, and other righteous deeds starts to dwindle. We enter phases where we feel spiritually sluggish, struggling to find the motivation to perform even the most basic ibadah (acts of worship).
But what causes this decline in spiritual energy? Is there a way to overcome it and restore the passion for worship? The answer lies in understanding the nature of apathy, identifying its causes, and implementing the cures prescribed by Islam.
The Reality of Apathy in Worship
The Prophet ﷺ acknowledged that apathy is a natural phase in a believer’s journey. In a hadith narrated by Imam Ahmad in his Musnad, the Prophet ﷺ said:
"Every action has a peak of enthusiasm, and after that, a phase of slackening. Whoever slackens but remains within the Sunnah has succeeded. But whoever slackens and deviates from the Sunnah is destroyed." (Musnad Ahmad: 6477)
This hadith highlights a crucial reality: spiritual highs and lows are normal. The key is ensuring that our moments of weakness do not lead us away from the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
The Heart: The Source of Spiritual Energy
The Prophet ﷺ also pointed us to the root of spiritual decline—the heart. In a well-known hadith narrated in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, he said:
"Indeed, in the body, there is an organ. If it is sound, the entire body is sound. And if it is corrupted, the entire body is corrupted. Indeed, that organ is the heart." (Sahih al-Bukhari: 52)
Our level of energy and commitment to ibadah is directly linked to the condition of our hearts. If the heart is healthy, strong, and spiritually alive, worship becomes easy and enjoyable. If the heart is weak, diseased, or dead, worship becomes a burden.
The Three Types of Hearts
Scholars categorize the heart into three main types:
1. The Sound Heart (قلب سليم)
This is the heart that Allah describes in the Qur'an:
"The Day when neither wealth nor children will benefit, except one who comes to Allah with a sound heart." (Surah Ash-Shu’ara 26: 88-89)
A sound heart has three key qualities:
- Ikhlas (إخلاص) – Sincerity in worshiping Allah alone.
- Mutāba‘ah (متابعة) – Following the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
- Taqwa (تقوى) – Avoiding sins, both major and minor.
2. The Dead Heart (قلب ميت)
This is the heart of disbelief—completely lifeless, void of any connection to Allah.
Allah says:
"Is the one who was dead and We gave him life and made for him light by which he walks among the people like the one who is in darkness, never to emerge?" (Surah Al-An’am 6: 122)
This heart is completely detached from Allah, drowning in sin and heedlessness.
3. The Sick Heart (قلب مريض)
This is the heart that oscillates between faith and sin. Sometimes it is drawn toward righteousness, and other times it is overcome by worldly desires. This is the heart that experiences apathy.
The sick heart is mentioned in the Qur’an:
"In their hearts is a disease, so Allah has increased their disease." (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:10)
This heart is in a constant struggle—it seeks faith, but it is also influenced by sin, laziness, and doubts.
What Causes Apathy in Worship?
The decline in spiritual energy is often due to two main factors:
1. Desires (الشهوات)
Following worldly pleasures weakens the heart’s connection to Allah. Ibn Abbas رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا said:
"Indeed, a righteous deed brings light to the face, light to the heart, strength to the body, expansion in provision, and love in the hearts of people. And indeed, a sinful deed brings darkness to the face, darkness to the heart, weakness in the body, reduction in provision, and hatred in the hearts of people." (Rawḍah al-muḥibbīn: 595)
When a person indulges in haram, their heart becomes dull. They lose the taste of ibadah, and worship starts to feel heavy.
The Prophet ﷺ also warned about the effect of sins:
"When a servant commits a sin, a black dot is placed on his heart. If he repents, it is erased. But if he continues, the dot grows until it covers the whole heart. That is the 'raan' which Allah mentions in the Qur'an: 'Nay! But on their hearts is the covering of sins which they used to earn.'" (Surah Al-Mutaffifin 83:14, Sunan al-Tirmidhi: 3334)
2. Doubts (الشبهات)
Innovation and misguided ideologies corrupt the heart more than sins. Imam Malik رحمه الله warned:
"Beware of innovation. Even if it seems small, it leads to destruction."
The early scholars would avoid even listening to innovators, fearing that their hearts might be tainted.
How to Cure Apathy and Revive Your Ibadah
Imam Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله mentions five ways to heal the heart and reignite enthusiasm for worship:
1. Reciting and Contemplating the Qur’an
Regular engagement with the Qur’an softens the heart and revives faith. The Prophet ﷺ advised:
"Read the Qur'an, for it will come as an intercessor for its people on the Day of Judgment." (Sahih Muslim: 804)
Even if you are not a hafidh, set a goal to finish the Qur’an every 40 days, as recommended by the scholars.
2. Praying Qiyam al-Layl
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Hold on to the night prayer, for it is the habit of the righteous before you, and it is a means of nearness to your Lord, an expiation for sins, and a prevention from wrongdoing." (Sunan at-Tirmidhi: 3549)
Qiyam al-Layl purifies the heart and brings a unique energy to worship.
3. Keeping the Company of the Righteous
Surrounding yourself with pious people strengthens your faith. The Prophet ﷺ said:
"A person follows the religion of his close friend, so be careful whom you befriend." (Sunan Abu Dawood: 4833)
Your company affects your level of commitment to worship.
4. Eating Less and Watching Your Diet
Excessive eating makes the heart heavy and lazy. The Prophet ﷺ said:
"The worst container a person can fill is his stomach. A few bites are enough to keep a person standing." (Sunan at-Tirmidhi: 2380)
A light stomach leads to an active heart.
5. Humbling Yourself in Du'a
Begging Allah for guidance in the last third of the night is a practice of the righteous:
"And in the hours before dawn, they would seek forgiveness." (Surah Adh-Dhariyat 51:18)
The Prophet ﷺ also said:
"Allah descends in the last third of every night and says: 'Who is calling upon Me so that I may answer him? Who is seeking My forgiveness so that I may forgive him?'" (Sahih al-Bukhari: 1145)
Conclusion: Revive Your Heart, Revive Your Worship
Apathy in worship is a struggle every believer faces, but it is not permanent. The cure lies in reviving the heart through reciting the Qur’an, praying Qiyam al-Layl, keeping righteous company, eating in moderation, and making heartfelt du’a.
If you take these steps consistently, you will notice a renewed energy in your ibadah. Your salah will no longer feel like a burden. Your connection with Allah will become stronger. Your enthusiasm for worship will return, and you will find peace in obeying your Lord.
May Allah grant us all hearts that are pure, alive, and filled with the light of Iman.
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