A Q&A sessions from Bro Hijab's Talk: From Logic to Faith
Question: If God is All-Merciful, why do God created evil?
Explanation:
Should the question comes from an atheist, a further clarification is to be asked, "Scientifically, how do one proof what evil is?"
"Evil" is not a physical entity that can be scrutinized under a microscope or analyzed through logic and science. From an Islamic perspective, what is often perceived as evil or suffering is not necessarily negative. The Quran teaches:
وَعَسَىٰ أَن تَكْرَهُوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَعَسَىٰ أَن تُحِبُّوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَّكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُون
But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah Knows, while you know not." [al-Baqarah 2:216]
This verse teaches Muslims to trust in Allah's wisdom and foresight, acknowledging that what may seem unfavorable or difficult to accept could ultimately lead to beneficial outcomes determined by Allah's divine knowledge and wisdom.
Free Will and Mankind
In Islam, human existence is profoundly purposeful, intimately linked with the concept of free will. Free will is a defining feature of human existence, providing individuals with the ability to make decisions and choose between different options. Islam teaches that the primary use of free will is to make choices between right and wrong. This capacity for moral decision-making underscores the purposeful nature of human creation.
The Quran emphasises the significance of free will, stating:
وَقُلِ الْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكُمْ ۖ فَمَن شَاءَ فَلْيُؤْمِن وَمَن شَاءَ فَلْيَكْفُرْ
And say, 'The truth is from your Lord, so whoever wills - let him believe; and whoever wills - let him disbelieve.' [Al-Kahf 18:29]
The concept of human speech as a reflection of free will and the ability to choose what to say is implied in several verses of the Quran, but one that closely aligns with this idea is:
ۖ قَد تَّبَيَّنَ الرُّشْدُ مِنَ الْغَيِّ ۚ فَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِالطَّاغُوتِ وَيُؤْمِن بِاللَّهِ فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَىٰ لَا انفِصَامَ لَهَا ۗ وَاللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
The right course has become clear from the wrong. So whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold with no break in it. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing. [al-Baqarah 2:256]
Another relevant verse which indicates that our senses, including what we hear and say, are accountable, further emphasising the significance of our spoken words and actions
وَلَا تَقْفُ مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ ۚ إِنَّ السَّمْعَ وَالْبَصَرَ وَالْفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُولَٰئِكَ كَانَ عَنْهُ مَسْئُولًا
And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, the sight, and the heart - about all those [one] will be questioned. [al-Isra’ 17:36]
Thus, the function of free will is not merely an abstract concept but a practical tool that enables humans to navigate their moral landscape, reinforcing the purposeful creation and meaningful existence ordained by Allah.
The Quran acknowledges these issues by illustrating that our speech and actions are a testament to our existence and the conscious decisions we make, "When you speak, you exist, and what you are saying is being heard, demonstrating that you have the ability to say what you want to say."
Free will, a pivotal aspect of human existence, empowers individuals to make moral and ethical choices, distinguishing right from wrong. Human speech and actions are manifestations of this free will, demonstrating accountability and the ability to choose wisely. The capacity for moral decision-making reinforces the idea that human creation is deliberate and meaningful in the sight of Allah. Rejecting the concept of free will raises questions about the purpose behind Allah's granting humans such innate capabilities, affirming that our choices and expressions affirm our conscious existence and the purpose behind our creation.
Free will is not merely an abstract concept but a practical tool enabling humans to navigate their moral landscape, reinforcing the purposeful creation and meaningful existence ordained by Allah. Our speech and actions are testaments to our existence and conscious decisions.
The purpose of human creation is a fundamental question often raised by sceptics, who question whether humans exist without purpose or as a mere jest. In Islam, human existence is considered purposeful and intimately tied to the concept of free will, which empowers individuals to make moral and ethical choices.
Hence, as for the theist who rejects free will, must explain why it is that God created us with the impulse for free will, which has a function of making decisions? Why would God create humans with the innate capacity for free will if it were not meant to serve a significant purpose?
We are familiar with the verse the in Surah Adh-Dhariyat:
وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ
And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me
[Adh-Dhariyyat 51:56]
The essence of worship in Islam is comprehensive and all-encompassing, guided by the fundamental principle that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah. Understanding the correct translation of this verse is crucial. Many translate it as “We created mankind and jinn-kind to worship Allah.” However, the accurate translation is “We did not create mankind and jinn-kind except to worship Allah.” This distinction emphasizes the broader scope of worship in Islam as a holistic way of life rather than just ritualistic acts.
Worship in Islam is comprehensive and all-encompassing, emphasizing that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah. The accurate translation of this verse underscores the holistic way of life that worship in Islam entails.
The Story of Adam’s Creation
In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah narrates the story of the creation of Prophet Adam and the significant events that followed. Allah begins by informing the angels of His plan to create a khalifah on Earth. The angels, aware of the past beings who caused corruption and bloodshed, expressed their concern. Allah reassured the angels, indicating that His wisdom and knowledge encompassed things beyond their understanding:
وَإِذۡ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلۡمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ إِنِّي جَاعِلٞ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ خَلِيفَةٗۖ قَالُوٓاْ أَتَجۡعَلُ فِيهَا مَن يُفۡسِدُ فِيهَا وَيَسۡفِكُ ٱلدِّمَآءَ وَنَحۡنُ نُسَبِّحُ بِحَمۡدِكَ وَنُقَدِّسُ لَكَۖ قَالَ إِنِّيٓ أَعۡلَمُ مَا لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ
And [remember] when your Lord said to the angels, “I am going to appoint a vicegerent on earth.” They said, “Will You appoint on it someone who will spread corruption therein and shed blood, while we glorify You with Your praises and proclaim Your holiness?” He said, “I know that which you do not know.” [Al-Baqarah 2:30]
Allah then bestowed upon Adam a unique honor by teaching him the names of all things, a profound knowledge that even the angels did not possess.
وَعَلَّمَ ءَادَمَ ٱلۡأَسۡمَآءَ كُلَّهَا ثُمَّ عَرَضَهُمۡ عَلَى ٱلۡمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ فَقَالَ أَنۢبِـُٔونِي بِأَسۡمَآءِ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ إِن كُنتُمۡ صَٰدِقِينَ (31) قَالُواْ سُبۡحَٰنَكَ لَا عِلۡمَ لَنَآ إِلَّا مَا عَلَّمۡتَنَآۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ (32) قَالَ يَٰٓـَٔادَمُ أَنۢبِئۡهُم بِأَسۡمَآئِهِمۡۖ فَلَمَّآ أَنۢبَأَهُم بِأَسۡمَآئِهِمۡ قَالَ أَلَمۡ أَقُل لَّكُمۡ إِنِّيٓ أَعۡلَمُ غَيۡبَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَأَعۡلَمُ مَا تُبۡدُونَ وَمَا كُنتُمۡ تَكۡتُمُونَ (33)
And He taught Adam the names of everything; then He presented them to the angels, and said, “Tell Me the names of these, if what you say is true?” They said, “Glory be to You! We have no knowledge except what You have taught us. Indeed, it is You Who are the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.” He said, “O Adam, inform them of their names.” When he informed them of their names, Allah said, “Did I not tell you that I know the unseen of the heavens and earth, and I know what you reveal and what you conceal?” [Al-Baqarah 2:31-33]
Ibn Kathir elaborates that Allah teaching Adam the names symbolizes humanity's ability to understand, categorize, and utilize the elements of the world, marking humans as unique among creation.
Following this, Allah commanded the angels to prostrate to Adam as a sign of respect and recognition of his esteemed status. All the angels obeyed this divine command except for Iblees (Satan), who, out of pride and arrogance, refused to prostrate and thus became a disbeliever. This act of defiance marked the beginning of Iblees's enmity towards mankind.
وَإِذۡ قُلۡنَا لِلۡمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ ٱسۡجُدُواْ لِأٓدَمَ فَسَجَدُوٓاْ إِلَّآ إِبۡلِيسَ أَبَىٰ وَٱسۡتَكۡبَرَ وَكَانَ مِنَ ٱلۡكَٰفِرِينَ
And when We said to the angels, “Prostrate before Adam,” and they prostrated except Iblees; he refused and was arrogant, and was one of the disbelievers.[Al-Baqarah 2:34]
Imam Al-Qurtubi explained that the angels' question was not out of defiance but rather a desire to understand Allah's wisdom in appointing a khalifah on Earth. Their subsequent prostration to Adam was an act of obedience to Allah, acknowledging Adam's unique knowledge and status.
Allah placed Adam and his wife in Paradise and instructed them to live there peacefully while enjoying its bounties and command to avoid a particular tree.
وَقُلۡنَا يَٰٓـَٔادَمُ ٱسۡكُنۡ أَنتَ وَزَوۡجُكَ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ وَكُلَا مِنۡهَا رَغَدًا حَيۡثُ شِئۡتُمَا وَلَا تَقۡرَبَا هَٰذِهِ ٱلشَّجَرَةَ فَتَكُونَا مِنَ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ (35) فَأَزَلَّهُمَا ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنُ عَنۡهَا فَأَخۡرَجَهُمَا مِمَّا كَانَا فِيهِۖ وَقُلۡنَا ٱهۡبِطُواْ بَعۡضُكُمۡ لِبَعۡضٍ عَدُوّٞۖ وَلَكُمۡ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ مُسۡتَقَرّٞ وَمَتَٰعٌ إِلَىٰ حِينٖ (36)
We said, “O Adam, dwell in Paradise, you and your wife; and eat pleasantly from wherever you wish, but do not approach this tree, or else you will both become the wrongdoers.”Then Satan tempted them and drove them out of the state they were in, and We said, “Go down [to the earth], as enemies to one another. You will have abode on earth and provision for an appointed time” [Al-Baqarah 2:35-36]
The verse highlights the blessings and the test given to Adam and Hawa, symbolizing the human condition of free will and the responsibility to obey Allah's commands. Despite the warning, Iblees (Satan), who had already shown his disobedience and enmity, deceived them into eating from the forbidden tree. The act of disobedience led to their expulsion from Paradise and the beginning of human life on Earth, marking a fundamental aspect of the human story: the struggle between good and evil, the consequences of actions, and the mercy of Allah in granting opportunities for repentance and guidance.
فَتَلَقَّىٰٓ ءَادَمُ مِن رَّبِّهِۦ كَلِمَٰتٖ فَتَابَ عَلَيۡهِۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلتَّوَّابُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ (37) قُلۡنَا ٱهۡبِطُواْ مِنۡهَا جَمِيعٗاۖ فَإِمَّا يَأۡتِيَنَّكُم مِّنِّي هُدٗى فَمَن تَبِعَ هُدَايَ فَلَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَلَا هُمۡ يَحۡزَنُونَ (38) وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ وَكَذَّبُواْ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَآ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ أَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلنَّارِۖ هُمۡ فِيهَا خَٰلِدُونَ (39)
Then Adam received some words from his Lord, and He accepted his repentance. He is the Accepting of Repentance, the Most Merciful. We said, “Go down all of you from here! Then when My guidance comes to you; whoever follows My guidance, will have no fear, nor will they grieve. But those who disbelieve and reject Our signs, they are the people of the Fire; they will abide therein forever.” [Al-Baqarah 2:37-39]
The story of Adam in Surah Al-Baqarah provides profound insights into human creation and the exercise of free will. These verses illuminate several key themes of human existence. First and foremost, the importance of knowledge and divine guidance is emphasized. Mankind is depicted as a learned creature, endowed with the capacity to acquire knowledge and understand the world. Allah's act of teaching Adam the names of all things signifies this intrinsic ability. Additionally, divine guidance from Allah is always available to those who seek it sincerely, highlighting the essential relationship between knowledge and spiritual guidance.
Another critical theme is the necessity of obedience to Allah and the severe consequences of pride and disobedience. The story reflects on the disobedience of Iblees, who refused to prostrate to Adam out of arrogance. This act of defiance underscores the destructive nature of pride, which is seen as the root of all evils. Through Iblees's example, the narration teaches that humility and submission to Allah's wisdom are fundamental to the human experience.
Furthermore, these verses set the stage for humanity's journey on Earth. They underscore the potential for both great good and significant error, a duality that defines the human condition. Adam’s initial disobedience and subsequent repentance illustrate the perpetual struggle between following divine guidance and succumbing to temptation. The story thus highlights the importance of humility, the readiness to seek forgiveness, and the continuous endeavor to align with Allah's will. In summary, the creation narrative of Adam serves as a powerful lesson on the interplay of knowledge, obedience, free will, and the ever-present possibility of redemption.
Islamic Perspective on Evil, Free Will and Purpose of Life
The exploration of why God would create evil from an Islamic perspective leads to a profound understanding of the nature of existence, the purpose of human creation, and the role of free will in shaping our moral and ethical landscape. The concept of evil is intricately linked to the broader divine wisdom that governs the universe, as highlighted in the Quran. What may be perceived as suffering or hardship often carries hidden benefits and serves as a means to test and strengthen one's faith. This perspective encourages Muslims to trust in Allah's infinite wisdom and accept that human understanding is limited.
Free will is a cornerstone of human existence in Islam, distinguishing humans from other creations. It grants individuals the ability to make choices, distinguish between right and wrong, and navigate their moral journey. The Quran emphasizes that humans are accountable for their actions and speech, reinforcing the concept of purposeful creation. This accountability underscores the meaningful and intentional design of human life, where every action and decision contributes to one's spiritual growth and alignment with divine guidance.
The purpose of human creation is succinctly encapsulated in the Quranic verse stating that mankind and jinn were created to worship Allah. This worship is not limited to ritualistic practices but encompasses a holistic way of life that includes ethical behavior, social justice, and personal integrity. The story of Adam's creation further illustrates this purpose. Adam's unique knowledge and status, his fall from grace, and subsequent repentance underscore the themes of divine mercy, forgiveness, and the potential for human redemption. This narrative serves as a reminder that while humans are prone to error, they also possess the capacity for sincere repentance and spiritual growth.
Overall, the Islamic perspective on the creation of evil, the role of free will, and the purpose of human life offers a comprehensive framework for understanding the complexities of existence. It emphasizes trust in divine wisdom, the significance of moral and ethical choices, and the ultimate goal of worshiping and seeking closeness to Allah. This framework encourages Muslims to view challenges and adversities as opportunities for spiritual growth and to strive for a life of righteousness and alignment with divine will.
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