Fourteenth International Conference on Religion & Spirituality in Society

Abstract

The aim of this study is to emphasize the human need for religion since it determines purpose in life. The study is inspired by one of the Quranic surah, the Surah Quraish, which includes basic human needs. We endeavor to display this surah as a hierarchy of human needs from an Islamic perspective, benefiting from previous studies conducted in associated fields such as the impact of life in modern societies, and the impact of the religious void on human beings in such societies. Furthermore, the study clarifies positive impacts of religion on human life in terms of intellectual, psychological, and physical aspects. The study sheds light on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which is considered one of the most prominent hierarchies in human needs theories. It focuses on Maslow’s exclusion of religion as one of the basic human needs, because the authors of this study believe that such exclusion results in an inability to control the other intellectual, psychological, and physical needs. The study ascertained in its conclusion the value of religion as a fundamental factor in approaching self-realization, finding purpose in life, and in understanding the aim of The Creator in creating humankind. It also proposes that a hierarchy of human needs should incorporate a spiritual aspect as a fundamental need that people must seek and adhere to in order to fulfill their basic needs, thus ensuring wellbeing. We emphasize the need of further research that compares the importance of the spiritual aspect to people from different religions.