Islamic Theodicy

Islamic Theodicy is very different from standard western thought when it comes to thinking about God. All religions attempt to explain the world, especially suffering, evil and sin. For people of the Islamic faith, a major tenant of their thinking includes the simple phrase, "all comes from God." An easy way for Westerners to think about this is from a similar saying, that "God does not give you what you cannot handle." In other words, God is all knowing, and members of humankind cannot begin to know His plan, therefore one should accept what God gives him or her. All comes from God, and therefore is holy.

Without evil

Suffering and sin, any type of evil, does not exist without good, according to Islamic Theodicy. Evil does not occur in a vacuum, but is a result of something done. Regardless, because all comes from Allah (God), it is all part of an individual's destiny and must get accepted as God's will.

The book of Job

In the book of Job, a wealthy and successful man who faithfully worships God has everything taken away from him, but he does not forsake God despite his suffering. This is a good way to think about Islamic Theodicy. Job says, "the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away." This is similar to the Islamic religious tenant that "all comes from God," the good and the bad.

Theodicy comes in many flavors of explanation for the existence of evil and suffering, some blaming human free will for sinning and inducing suffering. Others consider God a harsh master, doling out undeserved punishment and misery at whim. In the Islamic faith, even what is considered evil is not truly evil, because it comes from the holy God.