Need refers to the requirement of something because it is essential or very important rather than just desirable. Every human being in the world has certain needs. Every human being also strives to achieve them based on his priority. Some people have psychological needs, some people have social needs, some people have need for achievement, some people have need of affiliation, etc.
When Prophet Ibrahim left his wife and son in the middle of the desert, without any support or help, he supplicated to Allah, which is recorded in the Quran. Allah says in the Quran, “Our Lord, I have settled some of my descendants in an uncultivated valley near Your sacred House, our Lord, that they may establish prayer. So make hearts among the people incline toward them and provide for them from the fruits that they might be grateful” (Quran 14:37). The verse gives us with a framework to understand the priority which Ibrahim gave for the needs.
The following are the needs which a person should have:
SPIRITUAL NEEDS
After leaving his wife and son, the first aspect which Ibrahim covers in his supplication is towards ‘Spiritual Need’. He says “that they may establish Salah”. The main focus and need according to Ibrahim is the ‘Spiritual Need’. Being spiritual refers to being close to Allah by strongly believing in him.
Salah is the foremost purpose of the construction of the House of Allah (Baitullah), and Prophet Ibrahim had settled is son Ismail here in order that the generations that would come after Ismail might carry on the establishment of Salah under the shadow of the Sacred House.
His prayer was that they be made particular and punctual in their obligation of Salah because Salah is a cumulative reception of everything good and blissful in life, mortal or eternal. This tells us that there can be no greater concern, or love or desire for the betterment of children than that they be made to become particular and punctual with their Salah. Ibrahim left his wife and son in the barren land but instead of praying for food first, he asked for his family members establishing Salah.
Spiritual need is the requirement for one’s soul. Islam is a way of life which is based on spirituality; as it would act as a base for all the actions. Once the revelation of the Quran began, all the verses and chapters which were revealed at the initial stage were focusing on oneness of God, Prophethood and the Life after Death, which helps a person to strengthen his spirituality. On the other hand, Islam aims at increasing one’s spirituality through many of its obligatory acts as well. Generally people who possess a degree of spirituality are God fearing and tend to be honest, humble, well mannered, moral and just in their activities.
SOCIAL NEEDS
After the supplication for ‘Spiritual Need’, Ibrahim supplicates for ‘Social Need’. He says, “make hearts among the people incline toward them”.
Social needs refer to interpersonal and involves feelings of belongingness. This need is especially strong in childhood and it can override the need for safety as witnessed in children who cling to abusive parents. Humans need to feel a sense of belonging and acceptance among their social groups, regardless whether these groups are large or small. Many people become susceptible to loneliness, social anxiety, and clinical depression in the absence of this love or belonging element.
Social need is the requirement for one’s heart. The prayer of making the hearts of a number of people yearns towards them, was done so that they could have a good social life and live with people with love and affection and later they would also be able to communicate the message given to them by Allah .
PHYSIOLOGICAL NEEDS
After supplicating for ‘Spiritual Need’ and ‘Social Need’, Ibrahim supplicated for ‘Physiological Need’. He says, “provide for them from the fruits”. Generally, physiological needs are desired by people as the first and the most important need, as they are the basic need of every man, but Ibrahim placed the need in the end of his supplication list.
Physiological needs are the physical requirements for human survival. If these requirements are not met, the human body cannot function properly and will ultimately fail. Physiological needs are thought to be the most important; they should be met first. Air, water, and food are metabolic requirements for survival in all animals, including humans. Clothing and shelter provide necessary protection from the elements.
Physiological need is the requirement for one’s stomach. It basically refers to food and water which a person needs to live a life. It can be in the form of grains, fruits, vegetables, animals, etc.
Prophet Ibrahim does not stop his supplication with physiological need but went ahead and said, “that they might be grateful”. The ultimate objective of seeking all needs was to ensure that the people be grateful of Allah for all the bounties which they have received. Ibrahim gave priority to satisfy his need for his soul first, then to his heart and then to his stomach.
The one who purifies his soul would be successful; it spiritually helps the person to abstain from all kinds of evil as the Quran says, “…Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing …” (Quran 29:45). One who is spiritually strong will be very cautious to behave morally with people and would also adopt ethical means to earn money to fill his stomach. Thus, Ibrahim places spiritual need on top of his supplication list.