CREATED WEAK A Reflection on Human Dependence
By Khadeeja Bint Tajudheen
“Man was created weak.”
Surah An-Nisa (4:28)
Introduction
The verse from the Qur’an “Man was created weak” carries within it a profound reality of human nature This weakness is not simply physical frailty, but a deeper existential truth about our dependence, vulnerability, and need for guidance and care from the very beginning of life
As believers, we affirm that the first human being, Adam (peace be upon him), was created by Allah. From him and his wife Hawwa (Eve), humanity began. Every child born thereafter comes into this world not in strength, but in total dependence a reminder of our origin and our Creator’s wisdom
Human Infancy: A Stage of Utter Dependence
If we reflect honestly, human infancy is a striking stage that testifies to this verse No human being is born self-sufficient. A newborn cannot even hold its head, let alone feed or protect itself It takes 3 months to roll over, 6 months to crawl, and almost 10 to 12 months to walk
This long period of helplessness is unmatched in the animal world. It is as if Allah designed the human journey to begin with a lesson in humility, dependence, and love
Comparison with Animals
Most animals, by contrast, are born with instincts and mobility A calf can stand and walk within hours of birth Chicks begin pecking for food the moment they hatch Insects are born with survival instincts.
But humans? We need to be held, fed, nurtured, loved Our survival in those early months is entirely reliant on the compassion and care of others particularly the mother
This difference is not weakness in a negative sense Rather, it is a divine design that emphasizes community, mercy, and the need for connection. It points to a Creator who wished for human beings to be born into relationships, not independence.
The Role of the Mother and Family
Following the creation of Adam and Eve, every infant that came into this world required a womb to nurture it, and hands to hold it The Qur’anic design of the family with the mother as a source of care, protection, and emotional warmth is not a cultural convenience, but a divine necessity.
Every child born after Adam and Eve enters the world through pain, and survives through compassion. This unbroken chain of care is not random. It is Allah’s mercy manifest in human form through mothers, fathers, elders, and caregivers
Philosophical Reflection
If humankind were the result of a purely random, unguided process without divine intention how would the first helpless human infant survive?
Without parents, without protection, without emotional bonds the first human would never live beyond infancy But Islam tells us a different story It tells us of a God who created with purpose, and who gave Adam the ability to live, learn, and love
That is why this verse “Man was created weak” is not a criticism, but a reminder. A reminder that our weakness is by design, and it leads us back to our Creator
Conclusion
We were created weak but in that weakness lies the key to our strength It is in our need for others, our dependence on divine mercy, and our recognition of our limitations that we find the beauty of being human.
Our fragility points to a deeper truth: That we are not alone. We were never meant to be.
– Khadeeja Bint Tajudheen