Debunking the Problem of Evil: 8 Reasons Why Suffering Exists
Indtroduction to the “Problem of Evil”
The “Problem of Evil” argument is claimed to be one of the strongest arguments against theism. It simply claims that the existence of evil contradicts the existence of an All-Knowing (Omniscient), All-Loving (Omnibenevolent), and All-Powerful (Omnipotent) God.
The best definition for the word “evil” to fit this argument would be “unnecessary suffering”. The argument claims natural disasters, illnesses etc. are some examples of unnecessary suffering which means evil exists.
Therefore, if we show that the sufferings claimed by the argument are not unnecessary and there are reasons for every suffering and difficulty that exists, then the whole argument of “Problem of Evil” will be debunked.
There are many reasons for the existence of difficulties and sufferings like illnesses and natural disasters, as well as actions of humans like wars. Here are eight reasons for why difficulties and sufferings exist and why they aren’t as evil as many might think.
First Reason
Difficulties serve as a driving force in our quest to understand ourselves, the universe and to advance science and technology.
God reveals Himself to us through His creation and that we can learn about God by studying and exploring His creation. He has equipped us with the necessary abilities, such as curiosity and understanding, to do so. This suggests that our primary purpose as humans is to contemplate creation and learn about the creator.
“Read, ˹O Prophet,˺ in the Name of your Lord Who created — created humans from a clinging clot.” (Qur’an, 96:1–2)
Without difficulties, we would not have explored and studied the universe to the extent that we have today. For example, if illnesses did not exist, would anyone study medicine and pharmaceuticals to the extent that we have now? The answer is no.
All branches of science and all technological advancements were developed in response to a difficulty or suffering, and without these difficulties, we would not have the level of knowledge and understanding that we have today.
Additionally, to enhance our physical abilities, we need to engage in physical training which is tough and painful. Similarly, calamities also help improve our body, mind, and emotions to reach their highest potential. When evaluated from this perspective, such difficulties cannot be labeled as evil.
Second Reason
Something can be good either because of its inherent qualities or its outcomes. The overall positive outcomes of natural disasters outweight their harms.
For example, lots of stress and excess energy within the Earth is released in small amounts through earthquakes and volcanoes. If earthquakes and volcanoes didn’t happen, these stress and excess energy could build up and eventually result in much greater and more catastrophic disasters.
Thus, if there are sufficient reasons for an action or event and it results in more benefits than harm or it prevents more harm, it cannot be referred to as evil. In this aspect, all natural disasters are ultimately good and some are even necessary.
Third Reason
We can only understand and appreciate things in relation to their opposite. For example, we recognize the value of food because we have experienced hunger. The more hungry we are, the more we appreciate the taste and enjoyment of food.
Similarly, we appreciate light because of darkness, comfort because of difficulties, and health after experiencing illness. Furthermore, good people are only recognized in contrast to the existence of bad people, and the value of being good is only understood in relation to the existence of bad.
Thus, it is through difficulties and suffering that we are able to comprehend, appreciate and enjoy the good things in life.
Fourth Reason
The concept of “bad” is subjective and can have different effects on different people. For instance, a heavy rain that causes discomfort or suffering for one person benefits many others. If the person only focuses on their own difficulties and disregards the benefits of the rain, they may view it as evil, even if the suffering was a result of their own lack of precaution.
Similarly, putting one’s hand into fire and experiencing pain and suffering does not make fire evil as it has benefits for others. To label something as evil based solely on the suffering of a few individuals, particularly if the suffering was self-inflicted, is not reasonable. Natural disasters and illnesses have numerous long-term benefits that may not be recognized easily.
Fifth Reason
Difficulties bring people together and foster connections.
For example, you may not give money to a random doctor, but you would likely do so if you were sick. This relationship provides livelihood for doctors, nurses, hospital workers, and the families they support, as well as those in medical departments of universities, pharmaceutical companies, and medical device companies. These individuals help alleviate your suffering from illness, but in turn, need your financial support to alleviate their own suffering from hunger and other needs.
All relationships, from family to international business, exist because of the presence of needs and difficulties. Without these challenges, there would be no need for interaction and relationships, but as social beings, these connections and interactions make life less boring and stressful.
Sixth Reason
The hardships and difficulties in life can serve as deterrents and corrective measures for negative behavior and criminal acts.
Weapons, such as knives, guns, tanks, fighter aircrafts, and nuclear bombs, are made to cause harm and injury, but their existence also discourages others from attacking. Similar to how suffering from illnesses, such as colds, can result from carelessness and serves as a reminder to be more cautious.
For example, the COVID-19 pandemic reportedly arose from eating bats and serves as a reminder to be mindful of what we consume. Diseases caused by alcohol consumption also serve as a deterrent for rational individuals from drinking and over-drinking, reducing the number of alcohol-related crimes.
Qur’an mentions the reason for some calamities as follows.
“Evil (sins and disobedience to Allah) has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned (by oppression and evil deeds), that He (Allah) may make them taste a part of that which they have done, in order that they may return (by repenting to Allah, and begging His Pardon).” (Qur’an, 30:41)
Seventh Reason
The difficulties in this life are temporary in nature, just like in a dream. Imagine two individuals with cancer in a dream. The first person is unaware that it is just a dream and experiences fear, anxiety, physical discomfort, and a sense of loss, causing the cancer to seem like an unbearable problem. However, the second person, who realizes it is a dream, only feels temporary physical pain and views the situation as insignificant and not serious. When they wake up, their dream experiences will disappear and may even be forgotten.
In a similar manner, death will end our lives and result in loss of everything we have. However, if one believes in resurrection and the afterlife, this life with all its difficulties and sufferings will be seen as insignificant and temporary as a dream. The Qur’an warns us about this reality of life as follows.
“(Know that) the present, worldly life is nothing but a transient enjoyment of delusion.” (Qur’an, 3:185)
If an All-Powerful God exists, then He is able to restore everything lost and provide more in the afterlife, making the difficulties and sufferings of this life meaningless, like that of a dream. As stated by Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him:
“Mankind is asleep. They wake up when they die.” (Khashf-ul-Khaafa, 2:312)
Those who do not believe in God and an afterlife are the ones who face a serious problem in reconciling the existence of evil with their beliefs. It’s like someone having a problem with evil in a dream without realizing that it’s just a dream. Therefore, it doesn’t make sense to argue that the existence of evil poses a problem for the existence of God, who promises eternal life after death.
Eighth Reason
According to Islam as well as Christianity and Judaism, this life is a test and its difficulties and struggles are valuable treasures for the hereafter. Allah, the God, says in the Qur’an:
“Be sure We shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods, lives, and the fruits of your toil. But give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere.” (Qur’an, 2:155)
According to Islam, for everything unpleasant that a Muslim experiences, Allah removes some of their sins. This includes feelings of fatigue, illness, sorrow, sadness, pain, distress, or even if it’s as minor as a prick from a thorn (see Sahih Bukhaari, Volume 7, Book 70, Number 545).
Imagine that every time you suffered in a dream, you got a reward in this life — like a car for feeling cold or a house for losing a loved one in a dream. Wouldn’t you want to have more difficulties in your dreams so you could get more rewards in this life?
Even our life is temporary, like a dream, and will eventually end, but the afterlife is eternal. If people were to receive big rewards in the afterlife for every hardship they faced in this temporary life, wouldn’t they want to go through more hardships? Yes, they would.
Good deeds performed during difficult times have multiplied rewards, and the afterlife is eternal, making the rewards for hardships even greater. It is mentioned in a hadith of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, that on the Day of Judgment, the rewards given to those who had a tough life will be so great that even those who had an easy life will wish they had gone through extreme difficulties to receive such rewards (for reference, see al-Tirmidhi, no. 2402, and al-Silsilah al-Saheehah, no. 2206). Knowing this, Muslims have usually found peace and happiness during difficulties, as they believe it brings greater rewards in the afterlife.
For example, Abdurrahman Jaami, a great Muslim scholar, says the following in a Persian poem.
O Lord, what else could bring happiness to poor Jaami,
If a day goes by without a misfortune from You?
As mentioned before, people who do not believe in an afterlife find sufferings to be problematic because they think that any loss in this life is permanent. However, for those who believe in God and the afterlife, a suffering is not seen as a problem, but rather as an opportunity to gain eternal rewards. Therefore, it is illogical for non-theists to argue that a suffering in this life is a problem for existence of God, since it is a real problem only if God and the afterlife didn’t exist.
Conclusion
To sum up, sufferings and hardships may appear as issues initially due to the harm they bring. However, when looked at more broadly, it becomes clear that they serve a purpose and their positive effects outweigh the negative. We discussed eight reasons among many others for the existence of sufferings in life. These reasons can be condensed as follows.
1. Difficulties motivate us to learn and understand the universe and they have led to advancements in science and technology.
2. There is good in everything, either because of its inherent qualities or its outcomes, which outweights its bad.
3. We can only appreciate the good things after experiencing their opposites, such as health after illness, food after hunger, heroes after villains, and light after darkness.
4. What is considered “bad” is subjective and can benefit many others.
5. Difficulties create bonds and relationships between people.
6. Difficulties have deterrent and corrective effects on bad actions and crimes.
7. Misfortunes in this life are temporary and have no real significance, like in dreams.
8. For believers, difficulties and sufferings are treasures in an eternal life.
Therefore, the events and actions that cause suffering are not as problematic as non-theists claim. In addition, it is illogical and absurd to claim that the existence of suffering in this temporary life poses any problem for existence of God, who can and promises to bring an eternal life after death.
“… Glory be to You (O Allah)! We have no knowledge except what You have taught us. You are truly the All-Knowing, All-Wise.” (Qur’an, 2:32)
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