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Blaming God
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Natural disasters are perhaps the most frightening phenomenon for human beings, because humans have no power to prevent them. Every time this happen, many people raise the question: "Is this a punishment from God?"
In this regard, Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi, Director of the Islamic Society of Orange County and former President of the Islamic Society of North America, states:
"Indeed Allah is All-Powerful (Al-'Aziz) and He is able to do all things ('ala kull sha'in qadir). The Qur'an has mentioned this hundreds of times. It is also mentioned in the Qur'an that Allah is the Creator and He is the Best Creator.
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| "...Glory be to Allah, the best Creator." (Al-Mu'minun: 14) |
But then the question comes why do pain and sufferings exist in the world. We find sickness, old age and death. We see things that are ugly, people who are insane and foolish. There are storms, earthquakes, floods, draught and famine. We also see people commit sins, show disloyalty, unfaithfulness, greed and insincerity. We see people commit rapes, murders; they fight and make wars. We know all these and many more problems. There are evils caused by human beings and there are natural disasters. There are suffering for individuals and there are those that involve a large number of people.
But we also know that this is not the whole story. Besides all these negative things, we also see beauty, health, prosperity, life, birth, wisdom, intelligence, growth and progress. We also see goodness among people, faith, sincerity, charity, love and the spirit of sacrifice. We also see a lot of virtue and piety. It is wrong to see one side of the coin and not to see the other side. Any philosophy that concentrates on one aspect of the creation and denies or ignores the other side is partially true and partial truths are no truth at all.
It is also the fact that the element of good is more in the creation than the element of evil. We all see that there are more people who are healthy than those who are sick. There are more that eat well than those who starve.
There are more that lead decent life than those who commit crimes. Goodness is the rule and evil is the exception. Virtue is the norm and sin is the aberration. Generally trees bear fruits, the flowers bloom, the winds move smoothly.
But then the question is why does Allah allow these exceptions to the rules?
Let us ask this question to understand Allah's ways in His creation. The Qur'an tells us that good, evil and whatever happens in this world happens by Allah's Will (mashi'at Allah). Only Allah knows fully His Will. We finite beings cannot grasp fully His infinite Will and Wisdom. He runs His universe the way He deems fit. The Qur'an tells us that Allah is Wise and everything that Allah does is right, just, good and fair. We must submit and surrender to His Will. The Qur'an has not given us all the details about Allah's Will, but it has enlightened us with the guidance that is useful and sufficient for us. There are several points that we should keep in our mind to understand this issue:
1. First of all, Allah did not make this world a permanent world. This is a temporary world and everything here has a time limit. When its times comes it will die, come to an end and finish. Neither the good things of this world are forever, nor the bad things eternal. We are here for a short time and we are being tested. Those who will pass this test will find an eternal world that is perfect and permanent. Those who will fail this test shall see the evil consequences of their sins and corruption.
2. Allah has placed a physical law and a moral law in this universe. Allah allows suffering to occur when one or more of these laws are broken. The physical law is based on cause and effect. Sickness comes if one does not take care of one's health or is exposed to infections. A car accident occurs when one is not alert, or drives in a careless manner, or if the cars are not checked, roads and freeways are not made and kept in right shape, or the traffic laws are not right or not properly enforced. Study of causes and effects is very important to facilitate safeguards. Even here we should keep in mind that Allah often saves us and He does not let us suffer from every negligence. How many times it happens that we are not careful and still we reach safely to our destinations. The way people drive in some cities, it is a miracle that more accidents do not happen and more people do not suffer. Allah says:
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| "(Allah) Most Gracious! It is He Who has taught the Qur'an. He has created man: He has taught him speech (and Intelligence). The sun and the moon follow courses (exactly) computed; and the herbs and the trees both (alike) bow in adoration. And the Firmament has He raised high, and He has set up the Balance (of Justice), in order that you may not transgress (due) balance. So establish weight with justice and fall not short in the balance. It is He Who has spread out the earth for (His) creatures." (Ar-Rahman:1-10) |
The way we exceed the measures set by Allah and violate His laws of cause and effect is incredible. It is really the mercy of Allah that we are saved. Strictly speaking, the question should not be why does Allah allow suffering, but how much Allah protects us and saves us all the time in spite of our violations and negligence. The Qur'an says:
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| "If Allah were to punish people according to what they deserve, He would not leave on the back of the (earth) a single living creature: but He gives them respite for a stated Term: when their Term expires, verily Allah has in His sight all His servants." (Fatir:45) |
But sometimes Allah does punish people because of their violations of His laws whether they are physical or moral. The Qur'an tells us that many nations and communities were destroyed because of their sinful lifestyles:
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| "If they treat thy (mission) as false, so did the Peoples before them (with their Prophets), the People of Noah, and Ad and Thamud. Those of Abraham and Lut; and the Companions of the Madyan people; and Moses was rejected (in the same way). But I granted respite to the Unbelievers, and (only) after that did I punish them: but how (terrible) was My rejection (of them)! How many populations have We destroyed, which were given to wrong-doing! They tumbled down on their roofs. And how many wells are lying idle and neglected, and castles lofty and well-built?" (Al-Hajj: 42-45) |
3. Suffering can also be a test and trial for some people. Allah allows some people to suffer in order to test their patience and steadfastness. Even Allah's Prophets and Messengers were made to suffer. Prophet Ayyub (Job) is mentioned in the Qur'an as a Prophet who was very patient. Good people sometimes suffer but their sufferings heal others and bring goodness to their communities. People learn lessons from their good examples. Martyrs die for their faith, soldiers give their lives for their nations and this brings liberation and freedom for their people.
4. Allah sometimes allows some people to suffer to test others, how they react to them. When you see a person who is sick, poor and needy, then you are tested by Allah. Allah is there with that suffering person to test your charity and your faith. In a very moving Hadith Qudsi (Divine Hadith) the Prophet, peace be upon him, said:
| "Allah will say on the Day of Judgment, 'O son of Adam, I was sick and you did not visit Me.' He will say, 'O my Lord, how could I visit You, when you are the Lord of the Worlds.' Allah will say, 'Did you not know that My servant so-and-so was sick and you did not visit him? Did you not know that if you had visited him, you would have found Me there?' Allah will say, 'O son of Adam, I asked you for food and you fed Me not.' He shall say, 'O my Lord, how could I feed you and you are the Lord of the Worlds?' And Allah will say, 'Did you not know that My servant so-and-so was in need of food and you did not feed him? Did you not know that if you had fed him, you would have found that to have been for Me?' 'O son of Adam, I asked you for water and you did not give Me to drink.' The man shall say, 'O my Lord, how could I give You water, when You are the Lord of the Worlds?' Allah will say, 'My servant so-and-so asked you for water and you did not give him to drink water. Did you not know that if you had given him to drink, you would have found that to have been for Me.' (Muslim, Hadith no. 4661) |
Prophet 'Isa (Jesus), peace be upon him, is also reported to have said something similar. (See Matthew 25: 35-45)
So to summarize, we can say that sufferings occur to teach us that we must adhere to Allah's natural and moral laws. It is sometimes to punish those who violate Allah's natural or moral laws. It is to test our faith in Allah and to test our commitment to human values and charity. Whenever we encounter suffering we should ask ourselves, "Have we broken any law of Allah?" Let us study the cause of the problem and use the corrective methods. "Could it be a punishment?" Let us repent and ask forgiveness and reform our ways. "Could it be a test and trial for us?" Let us work hard to pass this test.
Believers face the sufferings with prayers, repentance and good deeds.
May Allah keep us on the right path, Amen! Allah Almighty knows best.
Excerpted from "Blaming God" by Abo Muhammed Samir Faid, he is a muslim expert volunteer on allexperts.com.
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Older Comments:
WONG FROM MALAYSIA said:
Hello,I think the word "raise" should be used instead of "rise". Every
time this happen, many people raise question: "Is this a punishment
from God?"
time this happen, many people raise question: "Is this a punishment
from God?"
2014-04-20
UMAR ISMAIL FROM NIGERIA said:
Disasters ought to be exceptional lessons for life. We all need to learn from it and take essetial self retraint and value all other lives, irrespective of races and religion.
2012-11-09
SAAD ABUNADA FROM USA said:
Informative
2012-11-08
SALMAH DIN FROM MALAYSIA said:
We cannot blame Allah every time disaster struck. Most of the time It is our own
doing. Natural disaster happens long before we were here. Allah knows best what
He is doing. We just have to summit to his will and hope for the best. And if It striKe
us, we were promised reward for our patience! If we are a true believer?
I believe we just have to strive on in this world and walk in The Straight Path! Do
justice, help the poor and keep our covonence to Him.
doing. Natural disaster happens long before we were here. Allah knows best what
He is doing. We just have to summit to his will and hope for the best. And if It striKe
us, we were promised reward for our patience! If we are a true believer?
I believe we just have to strive on in this world and walk in The Straight Path! Do
justice, help the poor and keep our covonence to Him.
2012-11-08
MOHAMMAD ABDUL-AZIZ FROM USA said:
I have been looking for explanation (from Islamic point of view) for
the following fact:
We see children being born in many parts of the world and some start
dying from day one of malnutrition, hunger and disease; while some
are flourishing, from day-one, with abundance of good food,
excellent hygiene and all the worldly comforts.
I heard and read many times that when a child is born, it is born
with a pure clean slate, devoid of any sins; then why for some
specific souls so much hardship and suffering from day-one ???
Any explanation ? Please keep me anonymous. Thanks
the following fact:
We see children being born in many parts of the world and some start
dying from day one of malnutrition, hunger and disease; while some
are flourishing, from day-one, with abundance of good food,
excellent hygiene and all the worldly comforts.
I heard and read many times that when a child is born, it is born
with a pure clean slate, devoid of any sins; then why for some
specific souls so much hardship and suffering from day-one ???
Any explanation ? Please keep me anonymous. Thanks
2012-11-07
ANON FROM US said:
To quote a favorite author, "Without pain, how could we know joy?'
This is an old argument in the field of thinking about suffering and
its stupidity and lack of sophistication could be plumbed for
centuries but suffice it to say that the existence of broccoli does
not, in any way, affect the taste of chocolate."
This is an old argument in the field of thinking about suffering and
its stupidity and lack of sophistication could be plumbed for
centuries but suffice it to say that the existence of broccoli does
not, in any way, affect the taste of chocolate."
2012-11-07
SANIYYAH FROM U.S.A. said:
Al-HAMDU-ILLAH, VERY WELL SPOKEN.
2012-11-06
BABANDI A. GUMEL FROM U.K said:
He (Allah) created death (which we are all scared of) and life (which we all love to live forever) to see who is of the best conduct.Naturally human being is so weak he is afraid of the future (especially impending disaster) he does not want it to touch him rather he wishes it should go to his enemies.This is exactly how we behave so selfish arrogant always complaining instead of being thankful.How many blessings Allah has blessed us with instead of being grateful and thankful for His favours we tend to always be in the habit of complaining and blaming everyone from individual to groups countries and Astagfirullah because humang being is Ignorant called Jaahil so he blames the Creatior Himself for his small problems forgetting the past favours done to him by the same God.In such a situation we become despondent moaning,mourning in the morning because we don't know what to do.For a Muslim Rasulullah has taught us what to do in such a situation that would immedietely bring relief and help as no makhluq can come to our favour.So the solution is only to resign and turn to Allah sincerely In sha Allah you will see your problem sooner or later taken away and subtituted with ease because it is only a test from Him to see who is of the best conduct amongst us.Therefore the solution is not complaining or moaning but to utter the words "Innah Lillahi Wa Inna ilaihi Rajiun".Doing so one gets the reward of his/her sabr and Allah may give him better compensation even in this very Duniya.So therefore we should remember life is only a test God is testing everyone whether rich, poor,leaders and the led all are equal before him nobody is superior except the one who has got more taqwah.Never in life should we utter such nonesensical words blaming God.We should remember whatever happens there is wisdom in it in sickness health rich or poverty never blame God, Nauzu billahi min zalika.Only we pray to Him to give us hidayah steadfastness and means for guidance to the entire humanity.
2012-11-06
