Why Does Humanity Feel Dissatisfied Despite Abundant Resources?

The profound question of why humanity, despite possessing abundant resources and making remarkable progress, continues to grapple with inner dissatisfaction and restlessness, finds robust answers within the Quranic worldview and Islamic teachings. The Holy Quran, with its deep insights into human creation and nature, clearly elucidates the reasons behind this widespread phenomenon. This pervasive feeling of dissatisfaction is not merely a personal failing; rather, it is an indication of humanity's inherently searching nature and, at times, a result of a misunderstanding of the true purpose of creation and the genuine meaning of happiness. Humans inherently yearn for perfection, and if this aspiration for perfection is not directed towards the Infinite (God), it becomes adrift within the finite confines of this world, leaving nothing capable of truly satisfying them, as every achievement merely serves as a stepping stone to a greater, subsequent desire. One of the primary and most profound reasons for this deep-seated dissatisfaction traces back to the very essence of human nature, as highlighted in numerous verses of the Quran. Allah, the Exalted, states in Surah Al-Ma'arij, verses 19-20: "Indeed, mankind was created anxious; When evil touches him, impatient." The Arabic term "halu’an" (هلوعاً) signifies impatience, greed, restlessness, and haste. This inherent characteristic of humanity propels individuals towards desiring "more," without ever finding contentment in what they already possess. While this inherent desire can serve as a powerful engine for progress, if left unchecked by divine guidance and the natural human disposition towards good, it transforms into a primary source of restlessness and discontent. Even after attaining their desires, due to this 'halu’an' nature, humans immediately set their sights on bigger, often unattainable aspirations, and this cycle never ends. This continuous wanting, instead of enjoying what is possessed, leads to longing for what is not, and ultimately, a perpetual sense of dissatisfaction. This insatiable craving is a core aspect of the human condition that the Quran addresses directly. The Quran also points to humanity's avarice for material possessions and the accumulation of wealth. In Surah At-Takathur, verses 1-2, it is stated: "Competition in [worldly] increase diverts you, Until you visit the graves." These verses explicitly convey that excessive preoccupation with accumulating wealth, children, and all that serves as a source of worldly pride, distracts humanity from the true purpose of life, keeping individuals in a whirlpool of insatiability until the moment of death. This "takathur," or excessive pursuit of accumulation, has no end; the more one acquires, the more the desire for further possessions intensifies. Consequently, possessing more resources does not bring satisfaction; rather, it amplifies the longing for what others have and the aspiration to reach higher echelons. This vicious cycle underpins many feelings of dissatisfaction because it conditions happiness and peace on things that are never fully attained and are constantly changing and evolving. The fleeting joy derived from material gains quickly fades, leaving behind a void that no amount of wealth or status can fill. This relentless pursuit often leads to comparing oneself with others, fostering envy and a perpetual sense of inadequacy, even for those who are considered wealthy by worldly standards. Another pivotal reason for dissatisfaction is the failure to recognize the true purpose of creation. Allah, the Exalted, declares in Surah Adh-Dhariyat, verse 56: "And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me." Worship here does not merely imply rituals like prayer and fasting; it encompasses knowing God, obeying His commands, living according to His will, and placing Him at the center of all endeavors. When individuals become oblivious to this sublime purpose of their existence and dedicate all their efforts and ambitions to material and transient worldly goals, they experience a spiritual vacuum. This void cannot be filled by any material possessions and inevitably leads to profound dissatisfaction. The human heart is the abode for the recognition and love of the Lord; whenever this abode remains empty or is filled with anything other than Him, true peace is stripped away. This spiritual void manifests as a sense of aimlessness, a lack of meaning, and a persistent feeling that something vital is missing, no matter how much material success one achieves. This disorientation from purpose causes humanity to drown in a sea of materialism while its soul remains thirsty for the truth of life. The Holy Quran describes the world and its material allure as "mata' al-ghurur" (the enjoyment of delusion or deceiving enjoyment). In Surah Al-Hadid, verse 20, it states: "Know that the worldly life is only play and amusement, and adornment and boasting among you, and rivalry in [increasing] wealth and children - like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the disbelievers; then it dries and you see it [become] yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion." This verse presents a clear image of the transient and deceptive nature of worldly life. Humanity imagines that by attaining these beauties and engaging in boasting, it will achieve peace. However, the reality is that these pleasures are superficial and temporary, and after a while, like dried plants, they wither and become ineffective. This instability and impermanence are the source of restlessness and dissatisfaction. The more deeply one attaches to these deceptive worldly pleasures, the deeper their internal void becomes, drowning them in the regret of never fully reaching what they can never truly possess. The pinnacle of this dissatisfaction in the Quran is linked to turning away from "Dhikr Allah" (remembrance of God) and spirituality. In Surah Taha, verse 124, Allah says: "And whoever turns away from My remembrance - indeed, he will have a difficult life, and We will gather him on the Day of Resurrection blind." "Ma'ishatan dhanka" (معيشة ضنكاً) signifies a difficult, straitened life, accompanied by psychological pressure and internal discontent. This spiritual and existential hardship does not necessarily mean material poverty; rather, it refers to a lack of inner peace, anxiety, and internal distress, even if the individual is among the wealthiest and most resourced people. The remembrance of God and connection to the Originator of existence are the only ways to achieve true peace, and negligence of this leads to restlessness and dissatisfaction. This status reveals that true happiness depends on a spiritual connection with the Creator, and without it, all worldly pleasures will be empty and meaningless. In contrast to these causes of dissatisfaction, the Quran offers solutions for achieving genuine contentment and tranquility. The most significant among them is "Dhikr Allah." In Surah Ar-Ra'd, verse 28, we read: "Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured." This verse explicitly states that the only way to achieve lasting peace and heartfelt contentment is through connection to the source of existence and constant remembrance of Allah. When individuals purify their hearts with the remembrance of God and align their lives with His satisfaction, they are no longer enslaved by worldly fluctuations or the temptation of desiring "more." They come to believe that what they possess is from God's grace, and what they lack surely contains some good, leading them to be content with divine decree. Furthermore, gratitude and appreciation for divine blessings are another crucial factor in attaining satisfaction. In Surah Ibrahim, verse 7, Allah states: "And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.'" Gratitude not only leads to an increase in blessings but also transforms one's perspective on life, shifting focus from deficiencies to blessings. This change in perspective itself is a great source of inner peace and contentment, helping individuals to understand and enjoy the true value of what they already have. In conclusion, human dissatisfaction, despite all available possibilities, is a result of moving away from the divine human nature, failing to recognize the true purpose of creation, excessive attachment to perishable material possessions, and neglecting the remembrance and satisfaction of God. True peace and contentment reside in a sound heart connected to the Originator of existence, not in the abundance of material resources. This is the point that the Quran has repeatedly emphasized, considering closeness to God and inner contentment as the path to true happiness. Modern humanity, with all its advancements, still yearns for the peace and satisfaction that can only be attained by returning to spirituality and connecting with God. One must accept that real happiness is not about "having more," but about "being more" and "drawing closer to the truth." This path is clearly laid out for humanity in the Holy Quran, allowing it to escape this boundless longing and attain lasting peace.