Our Contribution, Intention and Motivation

By Khairu Rejal

Contributing towards progressive change of one's society is an important element that any
individual needs to undertake. This undertaking is not a part-time effort or something to be
considered like a co-curricular activity or perhaps whenever when one has some free time to spend.
However, this act of contributing requires an utmost commitment and primacy in one's life that is
reflected through dedication and the enduring spirit of activism - directed and strategic.

For those of us whom have been actively engaged in this enduring spirit could hence immediately
relate to Maslow's hierarchy of needs (personal, social, love, esteem) and retrospect. According to
Maslow- the esteem need which is rank as the utmost sophisticated need motivates an individual to
be engaged to its society, contributing to it, helping and provoking positive change.

Reflecting the late hours spent beyond our day job - which could be spent on other things (dating,
sleeping, shopping, gossiping, hanging out, you may notice a particular pattern in the examples
given here) - Maslow's ideas shed some light or if not plenty of the reason why we do the things we
do and labor in such committed fashion at that!!

However, consider also that based on Maslow's interpretation - this motivational factor that drives
us intensely is merely an act that brings one close to recognition in the society. In short, for fame
and glory. From a histrionic perspective (just pushing it further) this seems merely an act of
attention seeking and self-centeredness.

Thus, while the individual (again according to Maslow hierarchy of needs) may seem altruistic yet
there is in fact a superficial motivational drive that is the total opposite of what is trying to be
manifested.

Although, there are further criticism of Maslow's theory (which I don't intend to bore you with nor
am I a deep expert) - the point that is trying to place across here is a fundamental question: why are
we doing all this?

Maslow's hierarchy of need offers a deep retrospection. The intend in presenting these ideas is not
to unravel the deep negative unconscious of us all - as akin to Freudian theories - but rather to
initiate a temporal pause and recollection or realignment of thoughts and, importantly, intentions.

The imperative of the context we face every day - and the needs of our society viz a viz its common
maladies that still requires solutions are factors that highlight the need of drivers and individuals
who are not motivated by shallow needs. Rather, by the imperative of now and commitment
towards a worthy cause. Would such imperatives suffice of one to only consider to commitments
that are merely pseudo and ad hoc in nature?
Theodore Roosevelt famously said (and my favorites quote):
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the
doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena,
whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short
again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually
strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a
worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the
worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and
timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."

The religious fundamentals of "rahmatal lil a’lameen" and "khairu ummah" should also be
considered. Muhammad (saw) was not merely a man who carries and presents God's revelation but
most important of all was an agent of social change - from a corrupt and backward society to one
that upholds justice, human rights, freedom and progress! It is this spirit that drives him towards
his first encounter of his prophetic role and for which he dedicated his life ever since. Shall we then
those who proclaim to love him not dedicate ourselves to the very cause and values that he
represents?