Reflection on Neediness

Our neediness of others is reflective of the reality that we are not One, while Allah (Exalted is He) is. Yet, while Allah, alone, is unique in this quality, through our lack of possessing it (that is, through our lack of being One), we may attain to other godly qualities. For example, it is through our humility and recognition of our own neediness that we develop a concern for the well-being of others. And, through this concern we cultivate qualities of compassion, kindness, and justice (all qualities of our Most Merciful, Most Kind, and Just Lord).

Through the experience of our own neediness, we step on our nafs to care for and fulfill the needs of others.

While difficult to accept during varying events in our life (particularly traumatic ones), our neediness is a blessing. Our experience of neediness is one of the most personally felt signs pointing to the beauty, majesty and absolute power of our Lord who acts compassionately without any need. Our neediness reminds us of the blessing of family members and close friends, of faith, and to be grateful for what we do have. Hence, neediness leads to gratitude – one of the highest qualities and states of a believer.

Our neediness keeps us knocking on the door of the Most Merciful; laying our face down on the floor in humility, fear and hope before the presence of our Lord’s absolute power and generosity. Our neediness is humbling and reminds us of the One who is without need, who we can call upon in our most dire of straits.

Neediness is more than just a “feeling,” it is a reality indicating the nature of our very existence before our All-Powerful Creator and Sustainer who cares for all of creation.

Through recognizing our neediness, we recognize this reality and the compassion and power of our Lord. And, through testifying to His Oneness, we humbly state that He is the only One, Eternally-Besought-of-All (Himself being without need). And, through this recognition, we find ourselves calling upon the only One who can help us and cares for us purely out of divine concern, and without any need what-so-ever: the One, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.

Praise be to God, Lord of the Worlds.