"O Pedro, don't rush to go home!" said the birds to Chihuhua. "We have more time with you, so, tell us more story!" they added. Chihuahua asked, "Have you guys eaten? Hungry? I won't tell you stories if you're hungry. You'd better eat first, before listening to my story!" Curious, the birds asked, "Why?" Chihuahua said, "O my brothers and sisters! I want you to focus and listen to this,"A prince had some Monkeys trained to dance. As you all knew, being naturally great mimics of men’s actions. They showed themselves most apt pupils, and when arrayed in their rich clothes and masks, they danced as well as any of the courtiers."Allah has endowed human beings with certain physiological motives or drives, primarily for the purpose of self-preservation of the individual and the human race. Humans are driven to fulfil their needs when they are hungry, thirsty, tired, hot, cold, or in pain. The body must be in a state of homeostasis, or balance, for optimal functioning. When this balance is disturbed in any way, a need will arise, driving the person to do something to return the body to homeostasis. For example, if a man is hungry, he will look for food, prepare it and eat. Upon returning to homeostasis, he will no longer feel that need, so the drive will be reduced.Hunger is mentioned in the Quran,الَّذِیۡۤ اَطۡعَمَہُمۡ مِّنۡ جُوۡعٍ ۬ۙ وَّ اٰمَنَہُمۡ مِّنۡ خَوۡفٍ"Who has fed them against hunger and made them secure against fear." [QS. Quraysh (106):4]Motives were bestowed upon humans by Allah, and they are fundamental and vital components of human personality and behaviour. Motivation, is a need or desire that energizes ehaviour and directs it towards a particular goal. They are part of the 'nature' that Allah created for humans.The word 'need,' is used to indicate motivation that is internally based, while incentives are external factors. Needs, actually produce drive in order to attain their fulfilment.Incentives are external factors in the environment that influence individuals, by attracting them and inducing them to act in order to obtain them. People work, for example, to obtain a pay cheque at the end of the month. The pay cheque is an incentive to encourage the person to work hard and to perform well. Incentives may also repel the individual and induce him or her to avoid certain outcomes. We may work not only to receive a pay cheque, but to avoid reprimands from the boss."The spectacle was often repeated with great applause, till on one occasion a courtier, bent on mischief, took from his pocket a handful of nuts and threw them upon the stage. The Monkeys at the sight of the nuts forgot their dancing and became—as indeed they were—Monkeys, instead of actors. Pulling off their masks and tearing their robes, they fought with one another for the nuts."Fear is generally considered a negative emotion that occurs in response to a threat of danger or harm. This is a natural response meant to protect the human being from pain, injury, or death. Experiencing a sense of fear in worldly life leads a person to run away with dread or to avoid situations where the feared object may be present.Men often revert to their natural instincts. If a man is distracted by fear, his lower self will inevitably lag behind the caravan of faith and he will become preoccupied with its demands, excesses and impetuosity. He will be like an unruly horse which wanders all over the place with nothing to restrain it, no goal to head towards and no clear path to follow.Men are also gifted with the nature to survive, to defend themselves from any harm or oppressors, aggressors and assailants. Since we are all living in a heartless and cruel world the only way we can survive is for us to utilise our natural instinct of fighting back and defending ourselves. This vital instinct is also present in animals, hence they defend themselves by kicking, biting, stinging, pecking, constricting and so on. And Allah knows best."The dancing spectacle, thus came to an end, amidst the laughter and ridicule of the audience."
References :
- Dr. Aisha Utz, Psychology from the Islamic Perspective, IIPH
- Rev. Geo. Fyler Townsend, M.A., Aesop Fables, George Routledge and Sons
