THE PHENOMENON OF SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS AND DEAFNESS AMONG MUSLIMS IN THE END TIMES

Fī Ghiṭāʾin ʿAn Dhikrī (فِي غِطَاءٍ عَن ذِكْرِي) in Surah al-Kahf 18:101

This phrase describes a state in which human beings exist within a covering layer that separates their consciousness from Allah. It is not a closure of the physical eyes or ears, but a barrier placed upon the channel that connects perception to the realm of remembrance (zikir).

In simpler technical terms, light still reaches the eyes, the eyes still receive and convert it into signals for the brain, and the brain still processes those signals. Yet the result of that perception no longer penetrates the heart. They see everything, yet perceive nothing.

The phrase fī ghiṭāʾin ʿan dhikrī consists of two main parts:

1. Fī ghiṭāʾin (فِي غِطَاءٍ) – “within a covering.”

2. ʿAn dhikrī (عَن ذِكْرِي) – “from My remembrance.”

Let us examine each part closely.

Fī Ghiṭāʾin (فِي غِطَاءٍ)

The word ghiṭāʾ means to cover, to envelop, or to block something so that light or its effect no longer reaches what lies beneath.

It is not merely a physical “cover,” but a veil that envelops the entire cognitive consciousness of a human being, preventing the light of meaning from entering the self. They are not beneath the cover but inside it — living as if within a sealed space, separated from the light of truth.

This meaning aligns with Allah’s words in Surah al-Baqarah 2:7:

خَتَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَى قُلُوبِهِمْ... وَعَلَى أَبْصَارِهِمْ غِشَاوَةٌ
“Allah has sealed their hearts, and over their vision is a veil.”
(Surah al-Baqarah 2:7)

This ghiṭāʾ was not directly placed by Allah at the start; rather, it is the natural result of repeated rejection of His reminders and signs.

ʿAn Dhikrī (عَن ذِكْرِي)

The particle ʿan denotes separation and intentional distance — not mere forgetfulness, but a deliberate disconnection from the source of remembrance.

The word dhikrī means to remember, to become aware, to mention, or to take heed.

In the Qur’an, dhikr in the context of Surah al-Kahf 18:101 can be understood through several categories of verses. The word covered in this verse implies being veiled from understanding these realities.

1) Qauliyyah verses – Revelation and Scripture

• Al-Ḥijr 15:9 — “Indeed, it is We who sent down the dhikr (the Qur’an), and indeed, We will be its guardian.” Here dhikr = the Qur’an.

• Yā Sīn 36:69–70 — the Qur’an is described as “illa dhikr wa Qur’ān mubīn” — a clear reminder.

• Ṣād 38:87 — “It is nothing but a reminder for all worlds.” This affirms revelation as dhikr.

2) Kauniyyah verses – Nature and Phenomena

• Āli ‘Imrān 3:190–191 — those who remember Allah while standing, sitting, and lying down, reflecting upon the creation of the heavens and the earth. Here dhikr operates through contemplation of nature.

• Yūnus 10:6 — the alternation of night and day are signs (āyāt) for people of understanding.

• Fuṣṣilat 41:53 — “We will show them Our signs on the horizons and within themselves…” which returns humanity to the truth.

3) Nafsiyyah verses – The Self and the Heart

• Adz-Dzāriyāt 51:21 — “And in your own selves, do you not see?”

• Qāf 50:37 — “Indeed in that is a reminder (dhikrā) for those who have a heart.”

• Fuṣṣilat 41:53 — “…and within themselves,” showing how inner signs strengthen remembrance.

Additional verses that help explain ʿan dhikrī and being veiled from it include:

• Al-Kahf 18:57 — those who are reminded by the signs of their Lord but turn away. This shows that dhikr includes reflection upon Allah’s signs, not merely verbal recitation.

• Ṭāhā 20:124 — “Whoever turns away from My remembrance, his life will be narrowed.” This parallels 18:101, which describes the severing of the channels of dhikr.

Thus, whether dhikrī refers to the qauliyyah (scriptural), kauniyyah (cosmic), or nafsiyyah (self-reflective) signs, all refer to sources of divine reminder — through the Book, through the universe, or through the fitrah within the human soul. When “فِي غِطَاءٍ عَنْ ذِكْرِي” occurs, as stated in al-Kahf 18:101, all three channels are severed simultaneously.

Synthesis of the Phrase Fī Ghiṭāʾin ʿAn Dhikrī (فِي غِطَاءٍ عَن ذِكْرِي)

The combination of the two elements — fī ghiṭāʾin and ʿan dhikrī — describes a condition in which light and information still reach the senses, yet are no longer translated into divine awareness, even though the person remains Muslim.

They see light (the rays) and images reach the brain, yet the spiritual meaning and divine unity do not penetrate the ṣadr (chest) nor reach the qalb (heart), the true seat of remembrance. They look upon the entire world with their eyes, yet do not perceive the truth behind it; they hear the verses but the meaning does not sink into their souls.

This is what we fear — that we might be among them, still using our eyes (ʿayn) as biological tools for daily life, but no longer as channels for perceiving the signs of Allah. They look at the world, yet no longer see the Creator behind it, even though their words and actions outwardly appear Muslim.

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