❖ The Reality of Forgetfulness and the Role of Shaytan ❖
✍ Authored by: Dr. Raza Abdullah Pasha حفظه الله
Does forgetfulness (نِسیان) occur due to the influence of Shaytan?
Forgetfulness can indeed be attributed to Shaytan, based on clear evidence from the Qur’an:
﴿فَإِنِّي نَسِيتُ الْحُوتَ وَمَا أَنسَانِيهُ إِلَّا الشَّيْطَانُ أَنْ أَذْكُرَهُ﴾
“I forgot (about) the fish—and none made me forget to mention it except Shaytan.”
[Al-Kahf: 63]
This verse refers to when Yushaʿ ibn Nun (companion of Musa عليه السلام) forgot to inform him about the fish. He clearly attributed the forgetfulness to Shaytan, saying that Shaytan caused him to forget the mention.
✔ This indicates that Shaytan interferes with memory to cause forgetfulness in matters of importance.
﴿فَأَنسَاهُ الشَّيْطَانُ ذِكْرَ رَبِّهِ﴾
“But Shaytan made him forget to mention (Yusuf) to his master, so he (Yusuf) remained in prison for several years.”
[Yusuf: 42]
After interpreting the dreams of two prisoners, Yusuf (عليه السلام) asked the one whom he knew would be released to mention him before the king. However, Shaytan made that man forget, which led to Yusuf (عليه السلام) remaining in prison for several more years.
✔ This again demonstrates that Shaytan can cause forgetfulness by diverting attention from important matters.
﴿اسْتَحْوَذَ عَلَيْهِمُ الشَّيْطَانُ فَأَنسَاهُمْ ذِكْرَ اللَّهِ﴾
“Shaytan took hold of them and made them forget the remembrance of Allah.”
[Al-Mujadilah: 19]
This verse speaks of how Shaytan dominates people spiritually, resulting in them forgetting the remembrance (dhikr) of Allah.
✔ Such people are referred to as “Hizb al-Shaytan” (the party of Shaytan)—those who are in complete loss.
✔ The Qur’an affirms that Shaytan plays a direct role in causing forgetfulness in various contexts—whether in remembering people, events, duties, or the remembrance of Allah.
✔ Forgetfulness is not always a natural lapse of memory; in many cases, it is a deliberate diversion caused by Shaytan to mislead and distract.
وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ
✍ Authored by: Dr. Raza Abdullah Pasha حفظه الله
✿ Question:
Does forgetfulness (نِسیان) occur due to the influence of Shaytan?
✔ Answer: Yes!
Forgetfulness can indeed be attributed to Shaytan, based on clear evidence from the Qur’an:
➊ First Evidence: From Surah Al-Kahf
﴿فَإِنِّي نَسِيتُ الْحُوتَ وَمَا أَنسَانِيهُ إِلَّا الشَّيْطَانُ أَنْ أَذْكُرَهُ﴾
“I forgot (about) the fish—and none made me forget to mention it except Shaytan.”
[Al-Kahf: 63]
This verse refers to when Yushaʿ ibn Nun (companion of Musa عليه السلام) forgot to inform him about the fish. He clearly attributed the forgetfulness to Shaytan, saying that Shaytan caused him to forget the mention.
✔ This indicates that Shaytan interferes with memory to cause forgetfulness in matters of importance.
➋ Second Evidence: From Surah Yusuf
﴿فَأَنسَاهُ الشَّيْطَانُ ذِكْرَ رَبِّهِ﴾
“But Shaytan made him forget to mention (Yusuf) to his master, so he (Yusuf) remained in prison for several years.”
[Yusuf: 42]
After interpreting the dreams of two prisoners, Yusuf (عليه السلام) asked the one whom he knew would be released to mention him before the king. However, Shaytan made that man forget, which led to Yusuf (عليه السلام) remaining in prison for several more years.
✔ This again demonstrates that Shaytan can cause forgetfulness by diverting attention from important matters.
➌ Third Evidence: From Surah Al-Mujadilah
﴿اسْتَحْوَذَ عَلَيْهِمُ الشَّيْطَانُ فَأَنسَاهُمْ ذِكْرَ اللَّهِ﴾
“Shaytan took hold of them and made them forget the remembrance of Allah.”
[Al-Mujadilah: 19]
This verse speaks of how Shaytan dominates people spiritually, resulting in them forgetting the remembrance (dhikr) of Allah.
✔ Such people are referred to as “Hizb al-Shaytan” (the party of Shaytan)—those who are in complete loss.
Summary:
✔ The Qur’an affirms that Shaytan plays a direct role in causing forgetfulness in various contexts—whether in remembering people, events, duties, or the remembrance of Allah.
✔ Forgetfulness is not always a natural lapse of memory; in many cases, it is a deliberate diversion caused by Shaytan to mislead and distract.
وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ
