Sometimes, need is a blessing

In a world that chases rapid wealth, we sometimes overlook the hidden face of loyalty and solidarity. Many believe that abundance and luxury represent the pinnacle of happiness, but reality often proves that absolute plenty sows self-sufficiency and individualism, driving hearts apart, while need brings people together and strengthens their bonds. A story is told of a small village struck by severe drought, which led to a shortage of goats and dried-up wells. The residents had no choice but to share what little food and water they had left. During those harsh days, old disputes were buried, and everyone ate from a single plate. When the crisis eased and some became wealthy, each affluent person built a high wall around their home and became self-sufficient, disregarding their neighbor. Daily need had united them, but overflowing abundance divided them. Indeed, as the well-known proverb says: “A hardship that unites us is better than a prosperity that divides us.” Need is not always deprivation; rather, it is the glue that binds hearts and revitalizes the spirit of human solidarity. As Imam Al-Shafi’i said: “May God reward all hardships with goodness, even though they cause me bitterness. My gratitude for them is not out of love, but because through them I recognized my true friend from my rival.” From a psychological perspective, need and sharing stimulate the release of oxytocin (the social bonding hormone), making individuals feel safe and belonging within their group. Conversely, excessive abundance may push the human psyche toward “psychological isolation” and ego inflation, generating a false sense of not needing others. Your need for others is not weakness; it is the innate drive that protects you from the isolation of plenty and gives your humanity a genuine meaning.