On the contrary, a plant absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen.

On the contrary, a plant absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen. In this way, the needs of man and other livings creatures are met, and this harmony is the secret behind the life of men and plants. The needs of an infant are met through the love and affection of its parents, and the weariness of the day is removed through sleep at night. The water of the eye (tears) has been created salty and the water of the mouth (saliva) fresh.

In this way, the salty water cleanses the eyes while the fresh water prepares the food for the processes of chewing and digestion. Instead of dying, the infant is taught to suck and even before it is born, its milk has been made available in the breasts of the mother. The food of some birds is located along the teeth of whales in the sea. And everyday, animals are satisfactorily provided with food. During the Battle of Jamal, a Bedouin Arab asked Hadrat ‘Ali ( ‘a ) about the meaning of tawhid .

The soldiers complained to him, saying that it was not the time for such questions. Nevertheless, the Imam ( ‘a ) explained to him the meaning and interpretation of tawhid , and then said: “It is for this very meaning (of tawhid ) that we are now fighting.”[^6] Yes, the struggle of the followers of truth throughout history has been for the sake of hoisting the banner of tawhid . “Allahu’s-samad” {Allah is the All-embracing} “ Samad ” means impenetrable, indestructible and unchangeable.

He is samad . So, He is not material or corporeal because all corporeal things experience change and destruction with the passage of time. Thus, He has no body that can be seen by the eyes or such an attractive force that, though unseen, has corporeality. He is samad , the Impenetrable Force whose will pervades and penetrates all things. He is samad , the Indestructible, the Honorable from whom all honors come and whatever honor and power anyone has emanates from Him.

He is not in need of anybody or anything but everything is in need of Him. He is samad , the Absolute Perfect Being, nay the Absolute All-perfect Being who possesses all excellences at the apex of their perfection. In order to attain perfection, all beings are in need of His grace, but He is and will not be in need of any being. His Command is above all other commands and His Will is above all other wills. He is in need of neither sleep nor assistance and partners in doing His work.

He is samad , and in a nutshell, He is the Needless God who is always needed by all.