The Wisdom Behind Human Needs

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – Humans, in their lives, inevitably have needs. Sheikh Ibnu Athaillah As Sakandari, in his book At Tanwir, explains the wisdom behind these human needs.

Firstly, Allah’s purpose in making humans have a need for food, drink, clothing, and other necessities is to ensure that humans are constantly in a state of need. This, in turn, eliminates the reason for considering oneself self-sufficient and independent of others. Furthermore, it allows humans and other living beings to recognise Allah through this sense of need. As Allah says in Surah Al Fathir, verse 15:

يٰٓاَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اَنْتُمُ الْفُقَرَاۤءُ اِلَى اللّٰهِۚ وَاللّٰهُ هُوَ الْغَنِيُّ الْحَمِيْدُ

yâ ayyuhan-nâsu antumul-fuqarâ’u ilallâh, wallâhu huwal-ghaniyyul-ḫamîd

“O mankind! It is you who stand in need of Allah, and Allah is the Rich, the Self-Sufficient.” This sense of need (faqir) is a path that can lead a servant to Allah and place them under His protection. Perhaps from this, people understand the following saying:

ُمَنْ عَرَفَ نَفْسَهُ فَقَدْ عَرَفَ رَبَّه

man arafa nafsahu arafa rabbahu.

“Whoever knows himself, truly knows his Lord.” Sheikh Ibnu Athaillah explains that whoever knows his own state, realises his need for Allah, and acknowledges his weakness, will then recognise Allah SWT through His power, authority, generosity, goodness, and other perfect attributes. Allah repeatedly emphasises the factors that cause humans to have a sense of need, and He constantly reminds humans of their weakness in fulfilling their own needs.

Therefore, humans need to improve their worldly lives and prepare for their needs in the afterlife.