Good vs. Evil

One of the most common reasons skeptics reject the existence of God is due to the presence of evil in this universe. They reason that a perfect God would not create a universe in which evil exists …

A dictionary definition of evil is “morally reprehensible, sinful, and wicked.” As Christian philosopher J.P. Moreland has noted, “Evil is a lack of goodness. It is goodness spoiled. You can have good without evil, but you cannot have evil without good.”

One of the good things God made was creatures who had the freedom to choose good or evil. Through choosing good and rejecting evil one progresses in a way which otherwise one would be no different than anyone else and without merit.

Consider people who do so much evil in the earth and then live to a ripe old age in the splendor and wealth of their ill-gotten gains and die without ever being taken to task for their deeds. Where is the justice or fairness in this? Allah provides a clear answer for us in Qur'an as to what is in store for these most evil of people.

"A brief enjoyment in this world! - and then unto Us will be their return, then We shall make them taste the severest torment because they used to disbelieve [in Allah, belie His Messengers, deny and challenge His proofs, signs, verses, etc." (Qur'an 10:70)

"But those who believe and do deeds of righteousness,- we shall soon admit them to gardens, with rivers flowing beneath,-to dwell therein for ever. Allah's promise is the truth, and whose word can be truer than Allah's?" (Qur'an 4:122).

Reward and punishment are part of the Next Life. Those who suffer in this life and seemly have nothing to show for all their good deeds can look forward to a far greater reward in a place where these things will not be temporary but rather they will be for eternity. Those who do evil and destruction seem to escape any justice here, yet in the Next Life they will be paid according to what they have done as well.

That Day mankind will proceed in scattered groups that they may be shown their deeds. So whoever does good equal to the weight of an atom, shall see it. And whoever does evil equal to the weight of an atom, shall see it. )Qur'an 99:6-8(

By Nouran Radwan

References

http://knowingallah.com/v2/Document.aspx?lang=en&id=658

http://www.godallah.com/evil.php

http://www.livingislam.org/fiqhi/fiqha_e58.html