❀ Philosophical Analysis of Evil and Suffering in Light of Islamic Thought ❀
In childhood, I often attempted to taste my grandfather’s liquor. But every time, my parents strictly forbade it. At the time, I saw their prohibition as an attack on my personal freedom. However, as I grew older, I realized it was for my own good—had I consumed 40% alcohol in that young age, it would have been poisonous to my fragile body.
This parable serves as a representation of the relationship between God and His servants, especially when a human being tries to make sense of evil and suffering in the world. Atheists often perceive the existence of evil as incompatible with the existence of God, but this argument rests on several fundamental misunderstandings.
❶ Misunderstanding the Divine Attributes
Atheists often confine the concept of God to only two attributes: Omnipotence and Perfect Mercy. However, the Qur’an mentions numerous divine attributes, such as ٱلْحَكِيمُ (The Most Wise).
Wisdom is a fundamental component of God's nature, and every divine action is based on ultimate wisdom. By restricting God's attributes, atheists end up creating a distorted conception of God.
❷ Denial of Divine Wisdom
Some atheists ask: “If evil and suffering have a purpose, why can't we see it?”
But claiming that if we can't perceive the wisdom, it must not exist, is a logical fallacy.
Just as a child may not understand the wisdom behind a parent’s decision, similarly, a human being cannot fully comprehend the wisdom of God.
◈ Qur’anic Example: The Story of Musa (عليه السلام) and Khidr (عليه السلام)
In the Qur'an, the story of Musa and Khidr (Surah al-Kahf, 65–82) shows that apparent injustice may in reality be rooted in divine wisdom.
Khidr did actions that seemed unjust to Musa, but their wisdom was later revealed.
◈ Tafsir Ibn Kathir:
Ibn Kathir states that the actions of Khidr were based on divine wisdom, which Musa (عليه السلام) could not initially comprehend.
(Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Volume 5, Page 181)
❶ Life as a Test
The Qur’an says:
وَهُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ الْمَوْتَ وَالْحَيَاةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا
(Surah al-Mulk, 2)
"He is the One who created death and life to test which of you is best in deeds."
The world is a testing ground, and evil and suffering are an essential part of that test. Challenges are necessary for moral and spiritual growth.
❷ Awareness of Divine Attributes
Without sorrow and pain, how could we recognize the attributes of Allah such as:
ٱلشَّافِي (The Healer) or ٱلْحَفِيظُ (The Protector)?
Suffering draws people closer to Allah.
❸ Pathway to Eternal Reward
Evil and suffering are also viewed as a means to attain Allah’s love and the eternal bliss of Paradise.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
إِذَا أَحَبَّ اللَّهُ قَوْمًا ابْتَلَاهُمْ
"When Allah loves a people, He tests them."
(Jamiʿ al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2396)
❹ Free Will and Moral Responsibility
Allah has granted humans free will, and the possibility of evil arises from this freedom of choice.
A test would be meaningless without freedom.
❺ Detachment from Worldly Life
According to Islamic teachings, the world is temporary, and the Hereafter is eternal.
Trials remind humans of the true nature of this world and direct attention to the Hereafter.
The Qur’an says:
اعْلَمُوا أَنَّمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا لَعِبٌ وَلَهْوٌ
(Surah al-Hadid, 20)
"Know that the life of this world is nothing but play and amusement."
In Islamic belief, those who suffer despite innocence will be granted immense reward in the Hereafter.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
يُؤْتَى بِأَشَدِّ النَّاسِ بُؤْسًا فِي الدُّنْيَا مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ
"The most miserable person in the world from among the people of Paradise will be brought forth..."
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2807)
Unlike atheism, which sees evil and suffering as absurd and meaningless, Islam views suffering as part of a greater purpose—a path to spiritual elevation, patience, and closeness to God.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
عَجَبًا لِأَمْرِ الْمُؤْمِنِ
"How amazing is the affair of the believer..."
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2999)
The existence of evil and suffering is intricately tied to divine wisdom, the nature of this worldly test, and the spiritual development of the human soul.
Though a limited human mind may struggle to grasp the complete wisdom behind it, the Islamic worldview provides a meaningful framework that turns suffering into a source of hope and tranquility.
An Allegorical Tale: Grandfather’s Liquor
In childhood, I often attempted to taste my grandfather’s liquor. But every time, my parents strictly forbade it. At the time, I saw their prohibition as an attack on my personal freedom. However, as I grew older, I realized it was for my own good—had I consumed 40% alcohol in that young age, it would have been poisonous to my fragile body.
This parable serves as a representation of the relationship between God and His servants, especially when a human being tries to make sense of evil and suffering in the world. Atheists often perceive the existence of evil as incompatible with the existence of God, but this argument rests on several fundamental misunderstandings.
Atheists' Argument and Its Weaknesses
❶ Misunderstanding the Divine Attributes
Atheists often confine the concept of God to only two attributes: Omnipotence and Perfect Mercy. However, the Qur’an mentions numerous divine attributes, such as ٱلْحَكِيمُ (The Most Wise).
Wisdom is a fundamental component of God's nature, and every divine action is based on ultimate wisdom. By restricting God's attributes, atheists end up creating a distorted conception of God.
❷ Denial of Divine Wisdom
Some atheists ask: “If evil and suffering have a purpose, why can't we see it?”
But claiming that if we can't perceive the wisdom, it must not exist, is a logical fallacy.
Just as a child may not understand the wisdom behind a parent’s decision, similarly, a human being cannot fully comprehend the wisdom of God.
Divine Wisdom and the Existence of Evil
◈ Qur’anic Example: The Story of Musa (عليه السلام) and Khidr (عليه السلام)
In the Qur'an, the story of Musa and Khidr (Surah al-Kahf, 65–82) shows that apparent injustice may in reality be rooted in divine wisdom.
Khidr did actions that seemed unjust to Musa, but their wisdom was later revealed.
◈ Tafsir Ibn Kathir:
Ibn Kathir states that the actions of Khidr were based on divine wisdom, which Musa (عليه السلام) could not initially comprehend.
(Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Volume 5, Page 181)
Rational Purposes Behind Evil and Suffering
❶ Life as a Test
The Qur’an says:
وَهُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ الْمَوْتَ وَالْحَيَاةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا
(Surah al-Mulk, 2)
"He is the One who created death and life to test which of you is best in deeds."
The world is a testing ground, and evil and suffering are an essential part of that test. Challenges are necessary for moral and spiritual growth.
❷ Awareness of Divine Attributes
Without sorrow and pain, how could we recognize the attributes of Allah such as:
ٱلشَّافِي (The Healer) or ٱلْحَفِيظُ (The Protector)?
Suffering draws people closer to Allah.
❸ Pathway to Eternal Reward
Evil and suffering are also viewed as a means to attain Allah’s love and the eternal bliss of Paradise.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
إِذَا أَحَبَّ اللَّهُ قَوْمًا ابْتَلَاهُمْ
"When Allah loves a people, He tests them."
(Jamiʿ al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2396)
❹ Free Will and Moral Responsibility
Allah has granted humans free will, and the possibility of evil arises from this freedom of choice.
A test would be meaningless without freedom.
❺ Detachment from Worldly Life
According to Islamic teachings, the world is temporary, and the Hereafter is eternal.
Trials remind humans of the true nature of this world and direct attention to the Hereafter.
The Qur’an says:
اعْلَمُوا أَنَّمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا لَعِبٌ وَلَهْوٌ
(Surah al-Hadid, 20)
"Know that the life of this world is nothing but play and amusement."
Suffering of the Innocent: An Eternal Consolation
In Islamic belief, those who suffer despite innocence will be granted immense reward in the Hereafter.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
يُؤْتَى بِأَشَدِّ النَّاسِ بُؤْسًا فِي الدُّنْيَا مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ
"The most miserable person in the world from among the people of Paradise will be brought forth..."
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2807)
Spiritual Perspective: Islam vs. Atheism
Unlike atheism, which sees evil and suffering as absurd and meaningless, Islam views suffering as part of a greater purpose—a path to spiritual elevation, patience, and closeness to God.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
عَجَبًا لِأَمْرِ الْمُؤْمِنِ
"How amazing is the affair of the believer..."
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2999)
Conclusion: The Wise Justification for Evil and Suffering
The existence of evil and suffering is intricately tied to divine wisdom, the nature of this worldly test, and the spiritual development of the human soul.
Though a limited human mind may struggle to grasp the complete wisdom behind it, the Islamic worldview provides a meaningful framework that turns suffering into a source of hope and tranquility.
