Verses of Negligence and Their Relevance to Contemporary Digital Phenomena: A Thematic Interpretation Study from a Psychology Perspective

Ima Lia Febrianti (Universitas Islam Negeri Sumatera Utara)
Fadhilah Is (Universitas Islam Negeri Sumatera Utara)

Journal of Indonesian Islamic Studies
Vol. 5 No. 2 (2026): Journal of Indonesian Islamic Studies (April)

The rapid development of digital technology has created new forms of distraction, excessive media use, and shifts in attention and social orientation. This study aims to examine the Qur’anic concept of ghaflah and its interpretive relevance to contemporary digital phenomena from a psychological perspective. This study employs a qualitative library research approach using the thematic interpretation method (Tafsīr Mawḍū‘ī). Primary data consist of Qur’anic verses related to ghaflah and their interpretations in classical and contemporary tafsīr, while secondary sources include scholarly literature on psychology and digital media. Data were analyzed through content analysis by identifying the meanings and characteristics of ghaflah, categorizing the findings thematically, and interpreting their relevance to contemporary digital behavior. The findings indicate that ghaflah encompasses several dimensions, including neglect of spiritual responsibility, excessive attachment to worldly interests, inadequate use of human perceptual capacities, and distraction from fundamental life purposes. These characteristics show conceptual and interpretive relevance to contemporary digital phenomena, particularly excessive digital use, compulsive scrolling, information overload, and social validation. Rather than establishing an empirical relationship, the study demonstrates that psychological perspectives on self-awareness, self-regulation, attention, and social comparison provide analytical frameworks for understanding how digital environments may intensify patterns of distraction and loss of orientation described in the Qur’anic concept of ghaflah. The novelty of this study lies in constructing an interdisciplinary dialogue between Qur’anic interpretation and contemporary psychology while maintaining the theological distinction between ghaflah and psychological constructs. The study concludes that ghaflah provides a relevant Qur’anic framework for reflecting on digital behavior and highlights the importance of conscious, self-regulated, and ethically oriented technology use.