Why doesn't God Stop all the suffering on Earth?

ok lets step back for a second


God created earth

likewise he has the ability to create more.

he understands every emotion and is all just.

he has granted a respite till the day of judgement to dwell in freedom and do good.

The suffering which occurs in between will be recompensed at the end of the respite.


whats hard to understand? people just need to get their heads round a "day of judgement" and its all good.

format_quote Originally Posted by Gator

What about the 3 year old that dies of cancer. That's her test?!

There's definitely a survivorship bias in this idea.

Everyone thinks this is a test and that you suffer through the hardships. Well, what about the people who don't make. What if they had lived and redeemed themselves?

The idea is everyone gets there fair shot, which is hardly the case.

Is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome a test for the parents and screw the little kid?

In islam, any child that dies before reaching puberty goes straight to heaven. In the situation being described, the people being tested are the parents.

"With regard to where the children who have died are – are they in the seventh heaven with Ibraaheem (peace be upon him) or in their graves?

What has been narrated concerning that is the hadeeth of Samurah ibn Jundub (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) often used to say to his companions: “Has anyone among you seen a dream?” and whoever Allaah willed would tell him what he had seen. One day he said: “Last night two people came to me and made me get up, and they said to me: ‘Let’s go.’ So I set off with them…” He mentioned things that he had seen, then he said:

“We set off, and we came to a verdant garden, in which were all the colours of spring, where there was a man who was so tall that I could hardly see his head in the sky. Around the man was the largest number of children I had ever seen…” Then among things that the two angels explained to him was: “As for the tall man who was in the garden, that was Ibraaheem. As for the children who were around him, these are all the children who died in a state of fitrah.” One of the Muslims said: “O Messenger of Allaah, what about the children of the mushrikeen?” He said: “And the children of the mushrikeen.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (7047).

This hadeeth indicates that whoever dies before reaching the age of puberty is in Paradise under the care of Ibraaheem (peace be upon him), not that he is in the seventh heaven. "

edit- source http://www.islamqa.com/index.php?ref=71175&ln=eng

format_quote Originally Posted by Gator

I under stand that, but my question I guess is what is the test for the child? Doesn't that soul get a chance to develop and mature. We are different people at different stages of life.

Why is not this soul tested at later stages of life. Allowed to grow and learn through other tests?

Has that question been addressed?

Thanks.

Why would a child's soul need to grow and learn from its mistakes if it's going to heaven no matter what? What benefit would be gained from giving someone a biology test if they've already got their high school diploma?

I understand what you mean, I'm just finding the answer hard to get across hah.

Here's a horrible example, but it's the best I have for now. Animals are alive, yes? What is their purpose in life? They provide us with things we need, such as food and clothing. But essentially, they are a part of this world. In the hereafter, they will not be judged. They will give each other what they owe (if a horned animal attacked a hornless one, the hornless one will be given horns and the chance to get even). Then they are turned to dust. In the same way, a child will not be judged. It is like an animal in that sense.. am I making sense or just rambling?

format_quote Originally Posted by crayon

As muslims, we believe that all this life is simply a test. You are tested with hardships along the way, and you have to be patient and thankful if you want to reach heaven.

If life was all rainbows and sunshine, what would be the point of it all?

Best answer - Simple and Clear

I'd like to add that all the hardships aren't for nothing, people who pass the test will be rewarded according to what they did

It is always difficult to address the question "Why is there so much suffering if an all knowing and loving God is in charge?"

I'm sure it is difficult for an athiest or agnostic to accept the answers put forth here. There seems to be so much senseless suffering in the world. I believe I saw a statistic which stated that a child dies of starvation every second of the day somewhere in the world. Perhaps instead of blaming God for these events, we should blame ourselves. Especially when it comes to starvation and violence. We as human beings have the ability to stop these things...but we don't. That isn't God, that is us.

When it comes to child mortality, disease, etc...that is more difficult to answer. We can come up with theologic philosophy about redemption and tests...but it is hard to accept that as an athiest or agnostic I'm sure.

format_quote Originally Posted by Gator

This is a tricky question for me to get across.

The child isn't developed? Why didn't it get a chance to develop. If you assume a islamic god, there has to be a point of life right? The child just died. It didn't get a chance to grow into other stages. To experience all the stages of life? Why not?

Well that child is lucky, I'd rather die as a child because I would be absolutley sinless and Paradise would be guaranteed for me, this could be considered as a mercy from God,

The death of the child could be a test for its parents, God knows best

format_quote Originally Posted by Keltoi

It is always difficult to address the question "Why is there so much suffering if an all knowing and loving God is in charge?"

I'm sure it is difficult for an athiest or agnostic to accept the answers put forth here. There seems to be so much senseless suffering in the world. I believe I saw a statistic which stated that a child dies of starvation every second of the day somewhere in the world. Perhaps instead of blaming God for these events, we should blame ourselves. Especially when it comes to starvation and violence. We as human beings have the ability to stop these things...but we don't. That isn't God, that is us.

When it comes to child mortality, disease, etc...that is more difficult to answer. We can come up with theologic philosophy about redemption and tests...but it is hard to accept that as an athiest or agnostic I'm sure.

I've read in the Quran somewhere, (bros'sisis prvide evidence please)
that someone asked the prophet why did God not remove the poor from poverty, God says that he could have if he willed, but it was a test for mankind, no one would be able to give charity or help the poor and they could n't be tested in that way

btw not 100% accurate, need to find evidence

To me this would be the best explanation. Imagine if there was no suffering, no evil in the world. Imagine if everything was perfect, how would you as a human being ever have the chance to help one another? If everyone had perfect lives, no problems, no fears, we would all mind our business and have no reason to give charity, be kind to one another, help one another. If everything was so darn good and nothing bad ever happened, we would never have the opportunity to do good with each other. For example all the helpless people in places like Africa or war driven countries, we wouldnt think twice to look that way or think about them if they lived a life without problems. We wouldnnt learn from our mistakes, grow the courage to do better, or struggle or any of it. Honestly, thats the best thing I can think of, for me to understand why things are the way they are. Im not even saying thats all right, because God has given us a choice to do good or bad. You do good and u will be rewarded for that and do bad youll be punished. This is why as Muslims we believe life is a test for us. Well thats the best I can explain it. Hope u get the idea.

Peace

format_quote Originally Posted by Whatsthepoint

Do you think a 2-year-old child is mentally capable of grasping all that paradise has to offer? Do toddlers understand concepts like Allah, mercy...? What exactly is the purpose of ehaven in Islam? simply pleasure or is there a place for theological experience too?
Muslims believe every child is born a muslim, but where exactly do you believe the knowledge of Isalm is stored. Do you even believe being born a muslim means having the knowledge or is it just a state of innocence?

And if the child in question is a boy, how old will his virgins be? will he get any?
Do children grow up in heaven?

i think ur supposed to be 33 in heaven or something like that


nevermind. ignore

"Whoever buries three children, Allah will forbid the Fire for him." (Saheeh, Tabarani in al-Kabeer, Al-Albani authenticated it in Saheeh Al-Jaami' (6238).)

"There are no two Muslim parents whose three children die before reaching puberty except that Allah will enter them into Paradise due to His mercy to the children. It will be said to them, "Enter the Paradise", so they will say, "Not until our parents enter first". It will be said, "Enter the Paradise you and your parents." (Ahmad, an-Nasaa'i, and Al-Albani authenticated it in Saheeh al-Jaami' (5780).)

"'Whoever iHtasaba (remains content and patient after the death of) three of his offspring will enter Jannah.' A woman said, 'What about two?' He said, 'And two.'" (Saheeh, an-Nasaa'i, Ibn Hibban, authenticated by al-Albani in Saheeh al-Jaami (5969).)

"To no woman three children die and she remains patient and content, except that she will enter Jannah. Or two (children)." (Muslim)

Put it this way. Children that die young are the test paper for their parents. That is their purpose.