The Facade of Negligence in Contemporary Urban Life: Analyzing the Mechanisms of Moral Deficiency from the Perspective of Urban Theology and Spiritual Resilience Strategies

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Faculty of Theology,Shiraz, Shiraz university, Iran

10.22081/jtc.2026.72915.1062

Abstract

Modern urban living faces complex challenges such as social fragmentation, moral degradation, and the emergence of new forms of spiritual apathy, which erode the moral foundations of citizens and diminish the civilization-building mission of religion. This study aims to deeply analyze the mechanisms that produce moral deficiency—such as negligence (ghaflah), moral disengagement, and weakness of will—within the urban context, and proposes theological strategies for the spiritual resilience of citizens. The research employs a qualitative method, specifically inferential content analysis, conducted in an interdisciplinary manner based on fundamental Islamic texts, moral philosophy, and findings from social and urban psychology. The findings indicate that negligence is not merely an individual shortcoming but a structural and functional phenomenon in urban life that interacts with defensive cognitive mechanisms and the weakening of moral identity. The solution, therefore, lies in the continuous activation of theological “remembrance” (dhikr) and the strengthening of the “Greater Jihad” (jihad-e akbar) in confronting both environmental and intra-personal temptations. This research emphasizes the necessity of re-reading the role of “remembrance” (dhikr) and “contemplation” (muraqabah) in contemporary urban life models, to provide the ground for spiritual reconstruction and the reinforcement of moral foundations among citizens.

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References

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Theology of the City
Volume 3, Issue 5 - Serial Number 5
Theology of the City (Biannual) Vol. 3, No. 5, Spring & Summer 2025
April 2025
Pages 89-107

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History

  • Receive Date: 17 September 2025
  • Revise Date: 11 November 2025
  • Accept Date: 28 January 2026
  • Publish Date: 21 March 2025

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