Hello!
I am new to Islam and have recently been visiting my local Mosque very regularly to learn about a religion I'm so new to.
I come from a Christian background, but I am learning and hoping to convert to Islam soon. However there are some question on Evil that I'm struggling to find answers for. For example, are natural disasters test from Allah or punishments or both?
La Hawla wa La Quwata Illa Billha=the is no movement or power but Allah.
regarding natural disasters: one hopes to die on "
siratul mustaqeem" the straight path. now, a natural disaster strikes:
believers in the Masjid performing
Ibadaah [worship] hopefully Allah considers them martyrs. the same with other believers performing act of worship such as taking care of their family or working to take care of their family, again hopefully good. we CAN'T say who is going to heaven and who is not unless it is/was revealed to us byAllah or his Messengers because Allah is
Maliki Yawmid Din=the Owner of the Day of Judgment.the other results can be a punishment for some and a test for others, losing a loved one is a test.
the news would not be so god for some doing something haram at that moment or who is in a state of unbelief.
Are people that die in events like earthquakes can they be considered martyrs, or is it Gods will? I've been trying to find a reference in the Qua'ran to a natural fiasco which was a punishment from Mankind, does anyone know of any?
the Flood, Sodom & Gomorrah. there are a few others in Arabia as well.
Can Jinn cause natural diasters?
Jinn are above my paygrade! i'll learn more about them soon,
In Sha'a Allah, if Allah so wills.
Are there examples of the profits experiencing evil in the Qua'ran and what they do to combat it?
the last 2 Surahs in the Qur'an were revealed when a witch put a spell on the Prophet of Allah to combat the evil.
I always find evil and suffering hard to comprehend, but am I right in thinking that evil is essential for the evolving of our souls, and that Allah deliberately gives us tests to see that we are living to his word?
from the Qur'an:
[3.154] Then after sorrow He sent down security upon you, a calm coming upon a party of you, and (there was) another party whom their own souls had rendered anxious; they entertained about Allah thoughts of ignorance quite unjustly, saying: We have no hand in the affair. Say: Surely the affair is wholly (in the hands) of Allah. They conceal within their souls what they would not reveal to you. They say: Had we any hand in the affair, we would not have been slain here. Say: Had you remained in your houses, those for whom slaughter was ordained would certainly have gone forth to the places where they would be slain, and
that Allah might test what was in your breasts and that He might purge what was in your hearts; and Allah knows what is in the breasts.
Who is being tested if someone is born with a hugely disabilitating disease that doesn't allow them to take actions or make discesions for themselves?
Allah knows best. it posssbile that those who have to take care of that person may get rewarded in the Akhira [next life] and someone who can't make decisions for themselves may have made the wrong ones if they could have made them.
from Sahih Bukhari:
Volume 8, Book 76, Number 476:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
I heard Allah's Apostle saying, Verily Allah created Mercy. The day He created it, He made it into one hundred parts. He withheld with Him ninety-nine parts, and sent its one part to all His creatures. Had the non-believer known of all the Mercy which is in the Hands of Allah, he would not lose hope of entering Paradise, and had the believer known of all the punishment which is present with Allah, he would not consider himself safe from the Hell-Fire."
Please excuse my ignorance, I would really appreciate any help as I'm desperate to learn more. Sorry for the ridiculous amount of questions?
I wish you all Good health and blessings
Thank-you =]