Ignorance

Lack of self-knowledge and awareness of one’s spiritual dimensions and existential limitations leads the human being to see himself as no more than an animal whose nature encompasses only animal instincts. Jaundiced by such a misconception of his own nature, the human being has a tendency to view himself as the supreme animal and therefore the center of the universe and as such Justified in manipulating nature and all other beings to gratify his own brute desires. Ignorance concerning oneself and one’s true nature entails an outright denial of God or a polytheistic worldview. Thus, ignorance concerning oneself and God is a central cause resulting in the disorientation of the divine nature in the human being.
Another way in which ignorance impairs the efficacy of the divine nature in man is when one lacks a correct understanding of religion and religious concepts. This in turn begets doubt, and doubt concerning religion precludes one from heeding one’s divine nature. Holding wrong views concerning the place of the human being in the cosmic scheme and the role of God leads to certain misunderstandings, such as the misconception that religious doctrines are contrary to reason, the false impression that the theory of evolution (assuming it is scientifically established) is opposed to a theistic view of the world and the delusion that belief in Divine Decree is incompatible with human free will.

Of course ignorance concerning religion can be traced to a number of factors. One prominent factor concerns the society in which one lives. People who live in societies dominated by false beliefs and are thus subjected to an incessant onslaught of misinformation in line with the policies of the powers controlling these societies are prone to develop wrong beliefs that estrange them from their divine nature. Another major factor responsible for ignorance concerning religion is overindulgence in sensual pleasures.

Indulging the Base Desires

Overindulgence in base desires can blind one from the path of the One True God since a libertine and licentious person may relinquish any claim to dignity, nobility and bravery because he/she is enthralled by lust; therefore, the light of spiritual guidance is diminished. The lofty ideals that form a potent force in one’s fitrah - the innate acquaintance with God and the tendency to worship and love Him - may gradually relinquish themselves to base, and materialistic thoughts, and over time one may adopt the mindset that the world is an arbitrary entity devoid of purpose; that the reckoning in the Hereafter is only a religious superstition; and that our primary concern is to enjoy the present. With this mindset, ideological and moral materialism are correlative and reinforce one another, making it very difficult for one to comprehend and accept spiritual and religious truths.

Conceit and Arrogance

Arrogance and egocentrism have the potential to blot out the divine nature in the human being to such an extent that he would be willing to oppose the truth knowingly and deliberately. We may, for instance, refuse to acknowledge the truth in spite of knowing that it is the truth on account of our arrogance. Or when debating an issue with someone, our egocentrism may lead us to denounce and belittle our opponent and claim our position to be superior knowing that he is voicing the correct position. As such, arrogance and egocentrism are moral vices that can cause one to become oblivious to the light of guidance emanating from our divine nature.

Stressing the importance of following the truth, Imam ´Ali ibn Abi Talib states, “Heed the words you hear rather than the person who utters them.”

(Ghurar al-Hikam wa Durar al-kalim, p. 361)