Evil and suffering (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A): Revision Notes
Evil and suffering in Islam
Understanding Allah's nature and the problem of suffering
This fundamental question has challenged believers throughout Islamic history: if Allah possesses both unlimited power and perfect love, how can suffering and evil exist in his creation?
Muslims face a challenging question: if Allah is all-powerful and all-loving, why does suffering exist in the world? Rather than seeing this as a contradiction, Muslims believe that suffering and evil form part of Allah's greater plan. They draw upon Allah's various attributes to help them make sense of difficult experiences.
Allah as compassionate
The Qur'an repeatedly emphasises Allah's mercy and compassion. The opening chapter contains this fundamental teaching:
"In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. [All] praise is [due] to Allah, Lord of the worlds - The Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful, Sovereign of the Day of Recompense. It is You we worship and You we ask for help." (Surah 1:1-5)
This passage demonstrates Allah's merciful nature. Muslims believe that when people cause harm to others, they can seek forgiveness through repentance. Allah's mercy means that punishment can be avoided if people genuinely turn away from wrongdoing and seek Allah's forgiveness instead.
Understanding suffering through Allah's attributes
Muslims use several key beliefs about Allah to understand why suffering exists:
Allah's benevolence and justice: Muslims believe Allah is entirely good and perfectly just. This means that whilst Allah allows suffering to occur, there are always consequences for those who misuse their free will to harm others. However, Allah is also forgiving - Muslims can maintain faith in Allah's justice because they believe moral evil will ultimately be punished, but people can still choose to follow Allah's guidance and receive reward instead.
Allah's omnipotence and omniscience: Islam teaches that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. This means Allah has both the knowledge and ability to remove all suffering and evil from the world. Muslims believe that Allah has chosen to create a world that includes these difficult experiences as part of his greater plan, which humans have faith in even when they don't fully understand it.
The gift of free will: Muslims believe that Allah shows his goodness by giving humans the freedom to choose how they behave. This free will allows people to demonstrate their faith and choose to do good, but it also makes it possible for people to cause harm to others.
What the Qur'an teaches about coping with suffering
The Qur'an provides guidance on how Muslims should respond when they encounter difficulties in life.
The importance of patience and prayer
"O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient." (Surah 2:153)
This verse encourages Muslims to respond to hardship with patience (sabr) and prayer (salah). Rather than becoming angry or losing faith, Muslims are taught to turn to Allah for strength and comfort during difficult times.
Accepting Allah's will
"Surely we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, and loss of wealth and lives and crops ... but give glad tidings to the steadfast who say when misfortune strikes: we are Allah's and to Him we are returning." (Surah 2:155-156)
This passage teaches Muslims that suffering should be accepted as part of Allah's will, expressed through the concept of Insha'Allah (if Allah wills it). The Qur'an explains that difficulties are a form of test, and those who remain steadfast in their faith during hardship will be rewarded.
Understanding different types of evil
Understanding the distinction between these two types of evil helps Muslims make sense of why different forms of suffering exist in Allah's creation.
Muslims distinguish between two categories of suffering:
- Natural evil: disasters and suffering caused by natural events like earthquakes, floods, or disease
- Moral evil: suffering caused by human choices and actions, such as murder, theft, or cruelty
This distinction helps Muslims understand that whilst Allah allows natural disasters to occur as part of the natural world, moral evil results from people misusing the free will that Allah has given them.
Muslim responses to the problem of evil and suffering
Muslims have developed three main approaches to dealing with the existence of suffering in a world created by an all-loving, all-powerful God.
Life as a test
Most Muslims accept that life's difficulties serve a divine purpose, even when that purpose isn't immediately clear to them. They believe that Allah uses suffering to test people's faith, patience, and character. This testing isn't seen as cruel, but rather as an opportunity for spiritual growth and to demonstrate devotion to Allah. Through facing challenges with faith and patience, Muslims believe they can strengthen their relationship with Allah and earn reward in the afterlife.
The power of prayer
Prayer provides Muslims with a practical way to cope with the emotional pain that suffering brings. When Muslims pray, they communicate directly with Allah, sharing their concerns and asking for guidance and comfort. This practice helps them feel connected to Allah during difficult times and reminds them that they are not facing their struggles alone. Prayer also helps Muslims maintain their faith by regularly reflecting on Allah's attributes and remembering that Allah is always present to help those who seek his support.
Practical Example: How Muslims Use Prayer During Hardship
When facing illness or financial difficulties, a Muslim might:
- Perform additional voluntary prayers (du'a) asking for Allah's guidance and help
- Recite specific verses from the Qur'an that emphasise Allah's mercy and support
- Reflect on the teaching that "Allah does not burden a soul beyond what it can bear" (Surah 2:286)
- Find comfort in the belief that present hardship can lead to spiritual purification and reward
Charitable action
Muslims believe that charity (including zakat, the obligatory charitable giving) offers a practical way to address suffering in the world. Rather than simply accepting that suffering exists, Muslims are encouraged to take action to help those who are experiencing hardship. Many Muslims find that charitable work has a particularly powerful impact because it directly benefits people in need whilst also fulfilling their religious obligations. Through charity, Muslims can participate in reducing suffering whilst demonstrating their compassion and gratitude for Allah's blessings in their own lives.
Key Points to Remember:
- Muslims believe suffering exists as part of Allah's greater plan and use Allah's attributes (mercy, justice, omnipotence) to understand why evil occurs
- The Qur'an teaches Muslims to respond to hardship with patience, prayer, and acceptance of Allah's will (Insha'Allah)
- Muslims distinguish between natural evil (disasters) and moral evil (human-caused suffering)
- Three key Muslim responses are: accepting life as a test, using prayer for comfort, and taking charitable action to help others
- Rather than challenging Allah's existence, suffering is seen as an opportunity for spiritual growth and demonstrating faith