The Worst Forms of Forgetfulness

Shaykh Mustafa al-Siba'i (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

أقبح أنواع النسيان، نسيان المشهور تاريخه يوم كان مغموراً، ونسيان التائب ماضيه يوم كان عاصياً، ونسيان العالم أن الله وهبه الفهم والعلم وسيسأله عنهما، ونسيان المظلوم آلام الظلم بعد أن يصبح منتصراً، ونسيان الطالب الناجح فضل من كانوا سبباً في نجاحه، ونسيان الداعية فضل الذين سبقوه أو ساروا معه، ونسيان الفضل لكل ذي فضل مهما كان دقيقاً.

The ugliest forms of forgetfulness: The famous one who forgets his past when he was once obscure. The repentant one who forgets his past when he was once a sinner. The scholar who forgets that Allah gifted him with knowledge and understanding and will be held accountable for them. The oppressed one who forgets the overwhelming pain of oppression after he becomes victorious. The successful student who forgets those who were a factor in his success. The preacher who forgets those who preceded him or accompanied him. It is the forgetting of any favor displayed toward us, no matter how small.