We Live In An Age When Unnecessary Things Are Our Only Necessities

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 15 October 2024 "We live in an age when unnecessary things are our only necessities." Oscar Wilde Oscar Wilde's quote, "We live in an age when unnecessary things are our only necessities," resonates with the current state of consumerism and materialistic society. In today's fast-paced world, society has become fixated on acquiring possessions that are not essential for our survival or wellbeing. Expensive gadgets, luxury items, and excessive material possessions have erroneously become symbols of status and societal acceptance. In striving for these unnecessary things, individuals often overlook the true necessities of life, such as genuine human connections, personal growth, and emotional contentment. Indeed, Wilde's quote highlights the irony of our times, where our focus on accumulating superfluous objects has overshadowed the true essentials that bring meaning and fulfilment to our lives. I vividly remember my last meeting with the poet-lyricist Nida Fazli. He told me, "Riyakari Ke Iss Daur Mein Kitabein Kaun Khareedta Aur Padhta Hai ? Zehan Ko Kaun Takleef Dena Chahta Hai ? Do-Teen Badi-Badi Chamakdaar Gaadiyan Hon, Bada-Sa Ashiyana Ho, Aaye Din Five-Star Hotels Mein Partiyan Hon, Sharaab Maanind-E-Aab Bahti Ho; Zindagi Ka Shayad Yahi Maqsad Hai..." (Who buys and reads books in these times of ostentation? Who wants to think? There should be a fleet of cars, a huge villa, regular parties at 5-Star hotels where wine flows like water......This seems to be the sole purpose of life). Nida passed away on February 8, 2016. Smart phones already became integral to our lives. Perhaps, he forgot to add today's ubiquitous androids and ultra-sophisticated i-phones to the list. We're spending lakhs on Cellphones and wasting our precious times on all useless social platforms. We're changing our DPs every second day! All these unnecessary things appear to be so important to us, whereas life can be comfortably and creatively spent without an i-phone or a sparkling sedan. Everyone seems to be living to impress others and we eventually forget our individuality in this rat-race and mad scramble. Woh Jin Ko Pyaar Hai Chaandi Se, Ishq Sone Se/ Wahi Kahenge Kabhi Hum Ne Khudkushi Kar Lee (Those in love with affluence will ultimately say that they've committed suicide). Look at the life of just departed Ratan Tata. It was bereft of ostentation and fanfare. He never flaunted his wealth and status. His younger brother Jimmy Tata chooses a life of simplicity despite being very rich. He doesn't even use a Cellphone. I remember Tom Altar advising me in his chaste Urdu , "Agar Aap Ko Zaahir Hi Karna Hai Ki Aap Ke Paas Kuchh Hai Toh Apne Ilm Ki Jhalak Dikhaiye, Bhale Hi Dhindhora Na Peetiye" (If at all you want to flaunt something, give a glimpse of your knowledge without blowing your own trumpet). The man never used a Cellphone. He'd always say, 'Duniya Mein Naguzeer Kuchh Bhi Nahin Hai ' (Nothing in the world is indispensable). Alas, now all unnecessary things seem to be indispensable to us. All our modern gadgets can provide material comforts to us but they can never give us soul-satisfaction. To quote Sahir Ludhianavi, "Dil Ki Taskeen Bhi Hai Aasaish-E-Hasti Ki Daleel/ Zindagi Sirf Zaro-Seem Ka Paimana Nahin/ Zeest Ehsaas Bhi Hai, Shauq Bhi Hai, Dard Bhi Hai/ Sirf Anfaas Ki Tarteeb Ka Afsana Nahin " (The soul-satisfaction is also a mark of wealth and peace/ Life is not just goblets of gold and silver/ Life is a feeling, joy and pain/ It's not a mere story of breaths strung together). Think over it. --- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/age-unnecessary-necessities/d/133439 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism