Since the meaning of cause is vast it is of various kinds. [Ellat here means needs]

Ellat Tama: The thing that comes into existence with an evident cause.

Ellat Naqisa: Something that depends on different factors to reach its effect or completion.

There are four kinds of causes that are well known, Ellat madia, ellat Suria, ellat Fa’ila and ellat Ghaia. [Need for material, need for a form or shape, the need to work on it and the need for completion.] We can explain this through a very common and prevalent example if we take our own dress that we wear. The first thing needed for it is the cloth material then it needs to be turned into a shirt that can be worn. Then we need some specialist to tailor it and it is evident that the tailor makes it for a specific purpose that it is to be worn. One dress includes all the four needs, the first is the need for material or “ellat Madia”the second is the tailor “ellat Suri”.

 The third is tailoring that is “ellat Fa’ili” and the last is the final shape of the dress complete or the ultimate purpose “ellat Ghaie”. Now it is clear that when we discuss the topic of cause and effect we concentrate mainly on the “ellat Fa’ili” or the need for action.