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The Problem of Evil

The Problem of Evil

29 - Jul - 2023
Lifestyle
4
Min

  • As many as 828 million people go to bed hungry every night. The number of those facing acute food insecurity has soared - from 135 million to 345 million - since 2019. A total of 49 million people in 49 countries are teetering on the edge of famine. (1)
  •    More than 400,000 people die from homicide each year. (2)
  •    An average of roughly 65,000 killings every year were related to organized crime and gangs over the period 2000–2017, and up to 19% of all homicides recorded globally in 2017 were related to organized crime and gangs. (3)
  •   By 2030, almost half a billion people will still live on less than $1.90 per day. (4)
  •   8.9 million deaths are attributed to ischemic heart disease (IHD), the world's leading cause of death, in 2019. (5)
  •   The total mortality from Covid-19 is 6,642,618 people worldwide. (6)

These approximate statistics show that the world today is experiencing many problems that solving them is so difficult that they seem almost impossible to solve. People are and have always been suffering from hunger, poverty, violence, war, physical and psychological disorders or diseases, and the like.

The question is, “What does Allah Almighty do about all these?”

Evil proves that Allah doesn’t exist

Some people may ask “If Allah Almighty exists and He is omnipotent and loves his worshipers, why do people suffer while He can prevent all these problems?” 

Those believing in Allah Almighty mostly argue that the discipline in the world and the harmony between its parts prove that there is a God who has made all these. On the other hand, those who disbelieve in Allah Almighty respond that the world is full of evils, as well, and the difficulties in the world are uncountable and unbearable.

In return, the believers say that the discipline of the world is a sign of the existence of Allah Almighty whether some evils exist or not. They don’t say that to prove the existence of Allah Almighty we should prove the whole world is disciplined but there is an adequate amount of harmony in the world that proves there is a Creator.  

The Holy Quran and the Shiite Imams have answered the problem of evil in various ways.

The evils are the way to achieve the better good

We know that Allah is pure good, but He sometimes lets us suffer because through enduring these sufferings and hardships, we can achieve something better which couldn’t be possible to achieve without experiencing those difficulties. 

Sometimes, Allah tests us with hardships and difficulties, so He sees how we react and if we do well, we will be worthy enough to be rewarded by Allah. If Allah doesn’t test us, how can we show our worthiness?

The Holy Quran says,

We will certainly test you with a touch of fear and famine and loss of property, life, and crops. Give good news to those who patiently endure* — who, when faced with a disaster, say, “Surely to Allah we belong and to Him we will ˹all˺ return.”* They are the ones who will receive Allah’s blessings and mercy. And it is they who are ˹rightly˺ guided. * (2:155-157)

In this regard, Imam Sadiq (AS) says,

Indeed, there is a [high] place in the heavens that no one can reach except with enduring hardships regarding their bodies. (7)

Also, Imam Ali (AS) says about the advantages of difficulties,

Remember that the tree of dry plains is the best for timber, while green twigs have soft bark, and the wild bushes are very strong for burning and slow in dying off. (8)

Now we can understand why the believers are suffering from their issues more than the disbelievers. Allah wants to give us greater rewards in the hereafter. Imam Sadiq (AS) says,
Among people, the prophets suffered the most, and after them the ones who are like them. (9)

He also says,

Believers will suffer as much as their righteous deeds. Therefore, if they have a true religion and do good deeds, they will suffer from so many difficulties. This is because of the fact that Allah hasn’t created this world as a reward for the believers and not as a punishment for the disbelievers. (10)

Our Imams, especially Imam Hussein (AS), are the best examples of what Imam Sadiq (AS) says. If you study their history, you would see that they lived in the hardest circumstances. 

What we don’t like is not necessarily evil

The Holy Quran says,

Fighting has been made obligatory upon you ˹believers˺, though you dislike it. Perhaps you dislike something which is good for you and like something which is bad for you. Allah knows and you do not know. (2:216)

Imam Sadiq (AS) says,

The ones who disgust by the hardships of this world are like the kids who disgust by the bitter medicines and get angry when it is forbidden for them to eat some delicious food (which is harmful to them). (11)

For instance, imagine someone getting fired. This would make them so sad and they would think that Allah has forgotten about them. However, when they search for a new job, Allah gives them a better job opportunity which makes them understand getting fired was actually a gift because it made them go for another job. Notice that sometimes we think some event is bad but actually is a gift. 

Difficulties remind people of Allah Almighty

Our needs are mostly the only things that make us think about God. When everything is good and we have no problems in our lives and everything is just as we want, most of us forget about Allah and that He is the one who has given us all these gifts.

The Holy Quran says,

Indeed, man becomes rebellious * when he considers himself without need. (96:6 - 7)
It also says,

And this worldly life is not but diversion and amusement. And indeed, the home of the Hereafter - that is the [eternal] life, if only they knew.* And when they board a ship, they supplicate Allāh, sincere to Him in religion [i.e., faith and hope]. But when He delivers them to the land, at once they associate others with Him.* So that they will deny what We have granted them, and they will enjoy themselves.

But they are going to know.(29:64-66)

Allah almighty clarifies why he sometimes let people suffer,

We will certainly make them taste some of the minor torment ˹in this life˺ before the major torment ˹of the Hereafter˺, so perhaps they will return ˹to the Right Path˺. (32:21)

It means that Allah punishes us in this world because of forgetting about Him and committing sins and by this punishment, He tries to make us understand that we should stop and repent. This way Allah protects us from the greater punishment of the hereafter. 

The existence of evil is because of the humans

Every evil in this world is not always because of the will of Allah but it is sometimes the consequence of humans’ deeds. The Holy Quran says,

Corruption has appeared throughout the land and sea as a result of people's actions, so He will make them taste [the consequences of] some of their actions so that perhaps they will return [to righteousness].  (30:41)

Whatever affliction befalls you is because of what your own hands have committed. And He pardons much. (42:30)

Allah gave humans free will and would not force us to do or not to do anything. Therefore, humans must face the result of their actions. 

Take World War I and II as examples. Many people were killed and butchered by soldiers of the opposite party. Were these wars by the will or order of Allah? If one refuses to study and work hard while young, he/she will have to work hard and suffer from poverty in the future. It is the consequence of his/her deeds not the will of Allah.  

Resources 

  1. https://www.wfp.org/global-hunger-crisis 
  2.  https://ourworldindata.org/homicides#in-some-countries-homicide-is-one-of-the-leading-causes-of-death 
  3.  https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/murder-rate-by-country 
  4.  https://worlddata.io/portfolio/world-poverty-clock 
  5.   https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/themes/mortality-and-global-health-estimates 
  6.  https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/ 
  7.  Vasa’il ash-Shia, Sheikh Hurr al-Ameli, vol.3, pg.261
  8.  Nahjul Balagha, Letter 45
  9. Vasa’il ash-Shia, Sheikh Hurr al-Ameli, vol.3, pg.261
  10.   The same
  11.   Tohid, Mufazzal ibn Umar, pg.168


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Narrations on Karbala and the pilgrimage of Imam Hussain (as) part2

14 - Aug - 2021 1,179 Read 5 Min

Hadith 21: The Condition of Honor

Imam Sadiq (as) said: Whoever wants to be in the neighborhood of the Prophet (pbuh&HP) and next to Ali (AS) and Fatima (AS) should not leave the pilgrimage of Imam Hussain (AS).  
Wasa'il al-Shi'ah, vol. 10, p. 331, p. 39

Hadith 22: Pilgrimage, Divine Duty

Imam Sadiq (as) said: If one of you observes the Ihram of Hajj for the entire of his life but does not visit Imam Hussain (as), he has left the right of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HP) because the right of Hussain (as) is a divine duty and obligatory for every Muslim.
 Wasa'il al-Shi'ah, vol. 10, p. 333

Hadith 23: Karbala, the Kaaba of Perfection

Imam Sadiq (as) said: Whoever does not visit the grave of Imam Hussain (as) until he dies, his faith will be incomplete and his religion will be incomplete, and when he goes to heaven, he will be lower than the believers there. 
Wasa'il al-Shi'ah, vol. 10, p. .335

Hadith 24: From Pilgrimage to Martyrdom

Imam Sadiq (as) said: Do not leave the pilgrimage of Imam Hussain (as) and recommend it to your friends and companions as well! May Allah prolong your life, increase your sustenance, and may Allah bless you alive and you will not die except as a martyr. 
Wasa'il al-Shi'ah  vol. 10, p. 335

Hadith 25: The Hadith of Love

It was narrated from Imam Sadiq (as) that he said: Whoever Allah wants good, will put the love of Hussain (AS) and his pilgrimage in his heart, and whoever Allah wants bad, will have him hate Hussain (AS) and anxious with his pilgrimage.
 Wasa'il al-Shi'ah  vol. 10, p. 388, Sea of Lights, vol. 98, p. 76

Hadith 26: A Sign of Being a Shiite

Imam Sadiq (as) said: Whoever does not visit the grave of Imam Hussain and dies as our Shiite and dies, is not our Shiite, and even if he is from the people of Paradise, he is the guest of the people of Paradise.
Kamel Al-Ziyarat, p. 193, Bihar Al-Anwar, vol. 98, p.4

Hadith 27: Ascension Platform

Imam Sadiq (as) said: Whoever visits the grave of Hussain (as) and has knowledge of the right of that Imam, Allah Almighty will register him in the highest rank.
Man la yahzurul Faqih, vol. 2, p.581

Hadith 28: The School of Knowledge

Imam Musa Kadhim (as) said: The least reward that is given to the pilgrim of Imam Hussain (as) on the banks of the Euphrates is that all his sins, before and after, are forgiven. Provided that he knows the right, honor and guardianship of that Imam.
Mustadrak al-Wasa'il, vol. 10, p. 236, quoting Kamil al-Ziyarat, p. 138

Hadith 29: Like the Pilgrimage of Allah

Imam Reza (as) said: Whoever visits the grave of Imam Hussain (as) on the banks of the Euphrates is like the one who has visited Allah. 
Mustadrak al-Wasa'il, vol. 10, p. 250, quoting in full

Chapter Three: Ashura and Arbaeen

Hadith 30: Pilgrimage at Ashura

Imam Sadiq (as) said: Whoever visits Imam Hussain (as) on the day of Ashura, heaven will be obligatory for him. 
Iqbal al-A'mal, p. 568

Hadith 31: Above Prosperity

Imam Sadiq (as) said: Whoever wakes up on the night of Ashura next to the shrine of Imam Hussain (as), on the Day of Judgment he will rush to Allah stained in his blood, like someone who was killed in Karbala next to Imam Hussain (as). 
Wasaelu shiah, vol. 10, p.372

Hadith 32: Signs of Faith

Imam Hassan Askari (as) said: The signs of a believer are five: 

1 Fifty prayers 

2 Arbaeen pilgrimage

3 Ring in the right hand 

4 Prostrating on the ground 

5 Saying loudly the name of Allah, (Bismillah Rahman Rahim)

 Wasaelu shia, vol. 10, p. 373, and also Al-Tahdhib, vol. 6, p. 52

Chapter Four: Torbat and Tasbih of Love

Hadith 33: His Porch 

The Prophet of Islam (PBUH&HP) said: Know that the answer to prayer is under the dome of his shrine and healing is in his soil, and the Imams (as) are of his children.
 Mustadrak al-Wasa'il, vol. 10, p.335

Hadith 34: Soil and Training

Imam Sadiq (as) said: Take your children with the soil of Hussain (as) (Karbala) because the soil of Karbala insures your children. 
Wasaelu Shiah, vol. 10, p.410

Hadith 35: The Greatest Medicine

Imam Sadiq (as) said: The cure for any pain is in the soil (torbat) of Hussain (as) and it is the greatest medicine. Kamil Al-Ziyarat, p. 275 and Wasa'il al-Shi'ah, vol. 10, p. 410

Hadith 36: Torbat (soil of Karbala) and seven hijabs

Imam Sadiq (as) said: Prostration on the soil of Hussain (as) tears the seven veils. 
Mesbah al-Muttahid, p. 511, and Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 98, p. 135

Hadith 37: Prostration on the Soil of Love

Imam Sadiq (as) did not prostrate on the ground except on the soil of Hussain (as) and he did this in violence for the sake of Allah.
Wasailu shiah vol. 3, p.608

Hadith 38: Rosary with the Soil of Karbala

Imam Sadiq (as) said: Prostration on the soil of Karbala can light up to the seventh earth, and whoever has a rosary from the soil of the shrine of Hussain (as) with him, is a truthful person, even if he says nothing.
Man la yahzurulFaqih vol 1 p 268 

Hadith 39: Healing Soil

Imam Kadhim (as) while narrating a hadith announcing his death, said: do not take anything from the soil of my grave to seek blessings, because it is forbidden for us to eat any soil except the soil of my grandfather Hussain (as), Allah Almighty has healed only the soil of Karbala for the Shiites and our friends. 
Jami ahadith, vol. 12, p.533

Hadith 40: One of the Four Needs

Imam Musa ibn Ja'far (as) said: Our needs are four things:

1. Prayer mat on which prayers are offered.

2. Rings on the finger

3. Toothbrush with which to brush teeth

4. A rosary from the shrine of Imam Hussain (as) Tahdhib al-Ahkam, vol. 6, p. 75
 



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Which Halal Restaurants can we trust?

14 - Jan - 2021 142 Read 3 Min

Being a Muslim and living in or traveling to non-Muslim countries, always brings about the challenge of where to eat and what to eat. For Muslims who are adventurous eaters, food is not just something to provide energy for a more useful life, although that would be the desire for a real Muslim believer. But here we are not discussing such high levels of faith.

Here we are just Muslims in non-Muslim countries, facing different cultures and tastes and those giant advertised burgers, seafood, various kinds of Italian Pizza, etc., and at some point, we realize that we are not capable of going home and enjoying our toast and fried eggs. That is where we seek an inspiring call, inviting us to eat and enjoy life, and that is where that verse of the holy Quran echoes in our minds: “Say, who has forbidden the adornment of Allah which he has produced for his servants and the good (lawful) things of provision?”(7:32) and thus, we decide to find those “lawful provisions”; The Halal food.

Finding restaurants of all types in all different parts of the world that serve Halal food is not a difficult job these days. From the Far West to the Far East we can see restaurants with a Halal label on their signs. But have you ever happened to ask the restaurant staff if the food is Halal? And have you ever heard the firm reply “Yes, madam. Feel sure. Even our pork is Halal!” This point, my friends, is where our project of finding a real Halal restaurant begins.

Which Halal Restaurants Can We Trust?

In some non-Muslim countries, the population of Muslims in some specific cities or specific areas of the town is quite noticeable. Often, in these areas, the number of Halal restaurants owned and run by Muslim managers is large. We could usually trust these restaurants as the managers care about Islamic law, and therefore the food they serve.

However, in some western countries, my friends and I have come across restaurants in which their managers came from Islamic countries, and so we thought that the food would be Halal. But after some local investigations, we realized that the manager is not a practicing Muslim, and the food they serve is not Halal. Now, what do we do?

Since selling Halal food brings more customers to the burger shops or restaurants, many non-Muslim restaurant owners have decided to serve Halal meat. Therefore, apart from the Halal label on their signs, they keep a certificate in the restaurants, usually hung on the wall someplace all caring customers can see.

Now you might be thinking about how we can trust those certificates? How do we know they are not fake? From the Islamic law viewpoint, you can trust that and enjoy your meal [1]. Do keep in mind the verse that says: “Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship…” (2:185)

Even in some coffee shops that serve sandwiches, the managers have provided an extra sandwich-maker for Muslim customers with which they do not roast pork and other non-Halal sandwiches.

Image removed.

Can We Trust Vegetarian or Halal Food in Non-Halal Restaurants?

Living in a non-Muslim country, it is prevalent to socialize with non-Muslim friends or colleagues. It often happens that our group of friends or colleagues decide to dine together at a fancy restaurant that may not be Halal. It is understandable that isolating yourself from the group may have some personal or social consequences. What can we do at these times?

First of all, we can remind the rest of the group that we only eat Halal food, and they may agree to dine at a Halal restaurant. But if they did not accept, what does Islamic law say about eating vegetarian or Halal food in restaurants that serve pork or wine? According to Islamic law, if we did not have a choice, we should not be too harsh on ourselves, and we should trust the vegetarian or Halal food of non-Halal restaurants [2].

Thinking deeply of the verse “Then let mankind look at his food.” (80:24), one may realize the importance of the food we eat and its influence on the human soul. Apart from Islamic law, almost all Muslim jurists emphasize that we should be extra careful about what we eat. Because what we eat affects our souls.

Therefore if we intend to treat our souls and ascend the steps of spirituality, it is necessary to find food we are sure of is Halal. In such cases, it would be good to be fussy about eating in non-Halal places. And if the spirituality of the soul matters to us more than socializing with friends, then better to be isolated for a while, rather than preventing the soul from its spiritual growth.

References:

  1. Halal Food


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