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

[crayon]

No, of course not. All hadiths and ayas that mention hardships, the reward can only be gained by patience, that's a given. It's so obvious it doesn't need to be mentioned every time.

and btw, children remain children in heaven.

 

[barney]

I'm stepping well outside the theist ring on this one.
The child isnt aware of allah, cant grasp the concept of paradise,(I cant and I'm 39)They can understand pain and agony as they slowly die.

Their purpose in life is to feel pain. Wonderful.
Evrything is OK, because if God wills it, she is in paradise?

I notice that some people seem a bit embarrassed about their answers to this one.
As I think Ranma said "If Life-all -rainbows is pointless...what use is heaven". Not Hell: Heaven.
If pain of stubbing Keltoi's toes wipes out him looking at a Hot Chick last week, why dosnt he just start twisting thumbscrews on himself or going the full opus-dai.

Lets take the 2005 Tsunami: Lets take the position that an all powerful, all merciful, loving benevolent God is in charge of all that is on earth.
I find it farcical to think that along four coastlines on that day, 700,000 people who "deserved to die" or their "Time was due" or had "Sinned Greatly" all gathered together and died within 6 hours because God was responsible for it.

Y'know, I think a few good people might have died that day, people with something good to give to the world.
If he was then I'd love someone to try and explain the mercy in that.

"It's a test for their families", "we are not to try and reason why" "Gods ways are not our ways"

If I accepted a God being capable of doing any of this, I'd book my place on Doom Hotel, Fire Boulavard, Flame street, Hell Number 4, because morally, I not only wouldnt want to accosiate myself with such a deity, I'd want to be as far as possible from it.

 

[Whatsthepoint]

No, of course not. All hadiths and ayas that mention hardships, the reward can only be gained by patience, that's a given. It's so obvious it doesn't need to be mentioned every time.

and btw, children remain children in heaven.

Ok, what will they do in paradise? Dring from the wine filled rivers? Have sex with virgins? Play with letter cubes?

 

[- Qatada -]

If pain of stubbing Keltoi's toes wipes out him looking at a Hot Chick last week, why dosnt he just start twisting thumbscrews on himself or going the full opus-dai.

Self harm is forbidden in Islam, therefore no.

Lets take the 2005 Tsunami: Lets take the position that an all powerful, all merciful, loving benevolent God is in charge of all that is on earth.
I find it farcical to think that along four coastlines on that day, 700,000 people who "deserved to die" or their "Time was due" or had "Sinned Greatly" all gathered together and died within 6 hours because God was responsible for it.

Y'know, I think a few good people might have died that day, people with something good to give to the world.
If he was then I'd love someone to try and explain the mercy in that.

"It's a test for their families", "we are not to try and reason why" "Gods ways are not our ways"

When sins become widespread, and people do not enjoin the good and forbid the evil - then Allah will punish the people. Then everyone will be raised up in account of what they did in this life.

 

[Danah]

So, technically, parents who lost 3+ children can do whathever they want?
Patience is mentioned in one of three hadiths only.

well the patience is not meaning that they can do whatever they want
patience in Islam keep worship Allah and ask him for forgiveness. ask him also to give us the strength to be a good patience when we are put through hard times. There is no point if the patience is do whatever you like.

to clarify that: the Parent lose their child and they are sad to death. if they are totally free to do whatever they want they can easily end their life because they cant continue living without their lovely child. This will be a great sin (Suicide) so its not patience at all

hope that is clear

 

[FatimaAsSideqah]

As Salaam Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu

Sometimes we tend to indulge in blessings, forgetting that they are tests. Through our lack of appreciation, we allow Shaytan to make us into ungrateful servants.

Then I will certainly come to them from before them and from behind them, and from their right-hand side and from their left-hand side; and Thou shalt not find most of them thankful. (Al-A`raf 7:17)

Whether Allah Most High gives us everything or takes something away, it is a trial. Every hardship is a blessing, and we should look at everything from both sides. We should not ignore the other side when we are faced with an adversity or given a blessing.

It is not for fun that Allah created the universe and everything in it. It was for a purpose. And also Allah does not benefit from our good deeds; it is we ourselves who benefit. And likewise, Allah is not harmed in any way by our wicked ways; it is we ourselves who face the consequences of our actions.

 

[aadil77]

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?

Everyone in heaven will be 33 years old as it is the optimum age when people are at their best health, the 2 year old doesn't have to grasp what paradise has to offer because he has been saved from possibly going to hell,

and being born muslim isn't about having all knowledge of islam stored in you, its about being pure and favoured by God until the child grows old enough decide between whats wrong and whats right

 

[aadil77]

Ok, what will they do in paradise? Dring from the wine filled rivers? Have sex with virgins? Play with letter cubes?

mate what are you trying to get at here, why don't you describe christian paradise to us then, i'm sure its much more fun?
paradise is nothing we can imagine those are only a few verses, they don't have to satisfy everyone, you can ask for whatever you wish within limits

 

[Mikayeel]

For everyone who complains! Just to remaind you, that if you arent paying to any charity that you should start doing so! If you are, carry on doing so.

We are responsible for one another!

 

[TrueStranger]

I'm stepping well outside the theist ring on this one.
The child isnt aware of allah, cant grasp the concept of paradise,(I cant and I'm 39)They can understand pain and agony as they slowly die.

How do you know that a child isn’t aware of Allah? Neither you nor I have any knowledge about what children/babies know about Allah. Age has nothing to do with, some people just don’t believe, and they won’t believe till the day of Judge, and by then it is too late. For all we know Allah maybe easing their pain and agony. What do you have about children dying young? Or them returning to their Creator earlier than others? There is nothing horrible, sadistic, or unbelievable about this. Death is just the beginning, not the end. Returning to your Lord.

Their purpose in life is to feel pain. Wonderful.

Don’t you also feel joy, happiness, excitement, pleasure, and many other emotions which Allah has given us?

Evrything is OK, because if God wills it, she is in paradise?

Yes….

I notice that some people seem a bit embarrassed about their answers to this one.
As I think Ranma said "If Life-all -rainbows is pointless...what use is heaven". Not Hell: Heaven.
If pain of stubbing Keltoi's toes wipes out him looking at a Hot Chick last week, why dosnt he just start twisting thumbscrews on himself or going the full opus-dai.

There is really nothing to be embarrassed about. Stubbing his toes won’t wipe out anything.

Lets take the 2005 Tsunami: Lets take the position that an all powerful, all merciful, loving benevolent God is in charge of all that is on earth.
I find it farcical to think that along four coastlines on that day, 700,000 people who "deserved to die" or their "Time was due" or had "Sinned Greatly" all gathered together and died within 6 hours because God was responsible for it.

You are a person who doesn’t believe in God and to you this life is everything, and the ONLY thing you got, and death itself shatters and makes your life seem pointless. These 700,000 people weren’t the first ones to die, nor are they the last ones to die. Why does this come to you as a surprise? You are already told that every soul shall taste death. You know it and I know it, and we shall all return to Allah and He will Judge between us. Whether you believe in God or not, you will die, it could be from a mosquito bite or a natural disaster. God gave you life, and God can take life way from you, and God can bring you back to life again.

Y'know, I think a few good people might have died that day, people with something good to give to the world.

If they were good people, then I am certain that they had already given all they could give during their lifetime. And for that they will be reward. Their reward is with Allah, not you or I.

If he was then I'd love someone to try and explain the mercy in that.

In What? Death is nothing more than a way/journey back to Allah and being held accountable for what we did.

"It's a test for their families", "we are not to try and reason why" "Gods ways are not our ways"

If I accepted a God being capable of doing any of this, I'd book my place on Doom Hotel, Fire Boulavard, Flame street, Hell Number 4, because morally, I not only wouldnt want to accosiate myself with such a deity, I'd want to be as far as possible from it.

And I guess you're as far away from God as you believe you are. He is rich and free from all His creatures. You would have to find it out for yourself that you truly do need the One which has shaped and provided for you all you have today. You haven’t created yourself, nor did you create what you eat, the earth you live on, or the universe.

Peace

 

[Trumble]

The problem of evil, ancient as it is, is still by far the most convincing argument for the non-existence of God. It is what has always clinched it for me, as I find the usual theistic responses totally unconvincing.

Why does an omniscient, omnipotent, omnibenevolent God not stop all the suffering in the world, indeed?

Why was there any suffering in the first place? With such a God there was no need to be.

What is the supposed purpose of this "test"? An omnipotent God could easily arrange things so no test was needed as all of his creations would be only infinitesimally less perfect than Himself, all living in peace, harmony and tranquility. No war, no violence, no hatred, no suffering.

None of it makes sense in the context of an omnipotent, omnescient, omnibenevolent God. God therefore either lacks one or more of those qualities, or simply does not exist.

 

[aadil77]

The problem of evil, ancient as it is, is still by far the most convincing argument for the non-existence of God. It is what has always clinched it for me, as I find the usual theistic responses totally unconvincing.

Why does an omniscient, omnipotent, omnibenevolent God not stop all the suffering in the world, indeed?

Why was there any suffering in the first place? With such a God there was no need to be.

What is the supposed purpose of this "test"? An omnipotent God could easily arrange things so no test was needed as all of his creations would be only infinitesimally less perfect than Himself, all living in peace, harmony and tranquility. No war, no violence, no hatred, no suffering.

None of it makes sense in the context of an omnipotent, omnescient, omnibenevolent God. God therefore either lacks one or more of those qualities, or simply does not exist.

Thing were like that until Adam and Eve were cast onto the earth after falling for satan, so now this world is test for us, the next world will be what you want it to be depending on your deeds, so free of suffering or the opposite

 

[truemuslim]

Why doesnt god stop all suffering on earth?
hm... interesting...
You know what else is interesting?
Why can't we live heaven on earth?
Why do you have to try when you make a goal in soccer?
What do you get when you try hard on your math test?
And after your done with all the grades, whats your reward?
Can you live your life perfectly without trying?
Can the questions on your test be easy?
Can you skim through all your years of school not trying?
Wondering why its so hard to do.
Why can't you get what you are going to get without trying?
Why do people ask extremely stupid questions?
AAND, are people getting stupider and stupider by the years?


*sigh*
i have no idea why i just did all that...

i guess some things can't make me wait, patiently and ignore?

 

[crayon]

What is the supposed purpose of this "test"? An omnipotent God could easily arrange things so no test was needed as all of his creations would be only infinitesimally less perfect than Himself, all living in peace, harmony and tranquility. No war, no violence, no hatred, no suffering.

AKA heaven. But not everyone deserves that, hence the testing.

"Did ye think that ye would enter Heaven without Allah testing those of you who fought hard (In His Cause) and remained steadfast?"

 

[Trumble]

AKA heaven. But not everyone deserves that, hence the testing.

That's exactly my point. Certainly, taking people as they are, not everyone 'deserves' to go to heaven. But if there is a God, people are only that way because He decided they should be. Why create the imperfect when you could create the perfect?

 

[crayon]

You can't have joy without sadness. If everyone was happy, and we lived on heaven-like earth, we would have nothing to compare our emotions to. How could we be grateful to Allah if all we've ever known is happiness?

 

[Ghira]

There can be more reasons why there is suffering on Earth. Ultimately, God knows BEST, He is All-wise, All-knowing. We are here in this earth not to enjoy and be oblivious of after-life. We must know life is short, that is essential in someone who truly has faith in God and hereafter. Most people ignore that in life. With that said...

Suffering occurs because....

1) Sins of Man

[since they have become oblivious of God,] corruption has appeared on land and in the sea as an outcome of what men’s hands have wrought: and so He will let them taste [the evil of] some of their doings, so that they might return [to the right path]. (30:41)

And so, because of their sins, they (people of Noah) were drowned [in the great flood], and were doomed to suffer the fire [of the hereafter]; [16] and they found none who could succour them against God.(71:25)

2) Test

We will test you with a certain amount of fear and hunger and loss of wealth and life and fruits. But give good news to the steadfast. (2:155)
who, when calamity befalls them, say, "Verily, unto God do we belong and, verily, unto Him we shall return." [That statement is REALLY comforting].


3) God's wisdom of opposites. Cannot know peace and tranquility if you do not what suffering is. It is psychological hedonism, humans need to gain pleasure and to avoid as much pain/suffering as possible.

"Limitless in His glory is He who has created opposites in whatever the earth produces, and in men’s own selves, and in that of which [as yet] they have no knowledge." (36:36)

"When your Lord said to the angels, 'I am putting an overlord on the earth,' they said, 'Why put on it one who will cause corruption on it and shed blood when we glorify You with praise and proclaim Your purity?' He said, 'I know what you do not know." (2:30)

4) God to show His ultimate justice in the end for those who witness suffering.

Oh you who have faith! If you have taqwa (God-consciousness, righteousness), He will give you a discrimination and erase your bad actions from you and forgive you. Allah's favour is indeed immense. (Surat al-Anfal: 29)

"Any good thing that happens to you comes from Allah. Any bad thing that happens to you comes from yourself. We have sent you to mankind as a Messenger. Allah suffices as a Witness." (4:79)

Read Sura Tin. Chapter/Surah 95.

 

[barney]

How do you know that a child isn’t aware of Allah? Neither you nor I have any knowledge about what children/babies know about Allah. Age has nothing to do with, some people just don’t believe, and they won’t believe till the day of Judge, and by then it is too late. For all we know Allah maybe easing their pain and agony. What do you have about children dying young? Or them returning to their Creator earlier than others? There is nothing horrible, sadistic, or unbelievable about this. Death is just the beginning, not the end. Returning to your Lord.



Don’t you also feel joy, happiness, excitement, pleasure, and many other emotions which Allah has given us?

I know a child isnt aware of allah because it is born not knowing right from wrong, good from bad, how to speak or even how to get its thumb in its mouth.
If a child is suffering agony fom birth to its death after a week, what is it's Test? God knew it would be born in agony and then let it die after a week to taste paradise. A loving god would skip the week.
What do i have against them dying young?
Umm...they havnt had a crack at life. What possible chance have they had if theyre born on a tuesday and a tidal wave kills them on a thursday.
I experience happyness, joy and all the emotions avalible. God hasnt given me them. i make them for myself by my actions.





Yes….



There is really nothing to be embarrassed about. Stubbing his toes won’t wipe out anything.



You are a person who doesn’t believe in God and to you this life is everything, and the ONLY thing you got, and death itself shatters and makes your life seem pointless. These 700,000 people weren’t the first ones to die, nor are they the last ones to die. Why does this come to you as a surprise? You are already told that every soul shall taste death. You know it and I know it, and we shall all return to Allah and He will Judge between us. Whether you believe in God or not, you will die, it could be from a mosquito bite or a natural disaster. God gave you life, and God can take life way from you, and God can bring you back to life again.

I do beleive a God existed or even exists. The afterlife i'm uncertain about apart from it not being as described in scripture. My life is as pointless as i make it.
I'm told every soul shall face death? Err, yeah, I know we all die and thats not dependent on if I'm a Bush-baptist or a twentieth day adventist.
I die when I die, and Humans or disease or my own actions may bring about that. If i was to jump off a building now, has God still taken my life? wheres free will gone again?


If they were good people, then I am certain that they had already given all they could give during their lifetime. And for that they will be reward. Their reward is with Allah, not you or I.

There is absolutly no way you could know that. What! 700,000 people all suddenly had nothing further to give!
And I guess you're as far away from God as you believe you are. He is rich and free from all His creatures. You would have to find it out for yourself that you truly do need the One which has shaped and provided for you all you have today. You haven’t created yourself, nor did you create what you eat, the earth you live on, or the universe.

No I havnt. God created the universe. Do i need him? Not as he's decribed, no i dont.

Peace

Regards

 

[Nσσя'υℓ Jαииαн]

Hmm no one liked my response I guess :S Was it that confusing? =|

 

[truemuslim]

Hmm no one liked my response I guess :S Was it that confusing? =|

lol i think mine was too..lol