Dear Donald,
As-salamu alaykum
Please see my responses to your statements / questions in
red italics below:
Why is it ok for God to do things that would be considered evil if done by people? Don't get me wrong I am not saying God is evil cause he intentionally causes harm to people he causes cancer to children earthquakes etc. I am pointing out that if God does those things so offten then why is it so bad for us to do it? With respect, your premise is incorrect as it assumes that God's actions (despite His
‘absolute’ traits) are in some way comparable to human actions. Such a preposterous
superficial suggestion could not be further from the truth.
God in His
‘absolute’ knowledge creates a canvas of life to trial humans. With human volition comes responsibility and accountability along with the innate ability to do right and wrong. He makes it clear that there will be perfect justice within those tests.
It is humans that often upset this balance creating the circumstances for mischief, corruption and bloodshed on earth. Even the angels alluded to this (2:30), but God made it clear that there was wider wisdom based on knowledge that He possessed that they did not (2:30). It is
humans that create evil (113:2).
God further makes it clear that He allows for respite to a term determined, otherwise if He were to exact retribution in the moment, no living species would survive (35:45). Furthermore, we can never encompass God's complete knowledge and wisdom. Therefore,
ipso facto, we cannot make an opinion on His actions. There are often times when what is perceived to us as
'evil' is nothing but a mercy in disguise. Please see the incidents narrated in verses 18:66-82 of the Quran and humbly ask yourself this:
Could Prophet Moses ever understand the apparent mindless slaughter of a boy (18:74), or the wisdom behind a marred boat (18:71)?
But was God’s plan not firm with wisdom (18:82)?
How could we ever begin to understand God’s wisdom when our own knowledge extends no further than our present? Please consider this carefully.
Thus I submit with respect, that there is no comparison (as you have alluded to) which is a fundamental pretext to your question.
Cause we don't have God's power? No! Again, the question is loaded with unwarranted pretexts. God makes use of His
'absolute' knowledge and power to create a canvas of life. He does not 'create' evil. Humans create evil (113:2). If God did not recompense good with good, or evil with punishment, then this could be argued as 'injustice' and such injustice could be argued as 'evil'. However, this is certainly not the case and the Quran repeatedly confirms God's 'perfect justice'.
Our Lord creates us out of nothing. He provides for us, He sustains us. He gives us guidance, He forgives us. He continues to forgive us if we repent sincerely and amend our ways. He multiplies our goods beyond its merits weighing deeds in our favour, but only holds us responsible for the ‘extent’ of our evil deed, nothing more, nothing less. Is this an unfair Lord? I would humbly argue, absolutely not!
006:160
"He that does good shall have ten times as much to his credit: He that does evil shall only be recompensed according to his evil (or the like of it Arabic: illa mith'laha) : no wrong shall be done unto (any of) them"What if we had God's power would be ok for us to take lives and spread disseases and torture people with Hell? Once again, an unnecessarily loaded statement built on fault theological perspectives and innate observational limitations.
If we had God's power, knowledge, His perfect justice and authority, then we would not have been 'humans' and would arguably do exactly the same as God has done. After all, if you assume to be God, then why would one act any differently?
It is important to remember that this life is not meant to be infinite. Humans just need to get over this. It remains intentionally temporal within which a canvas of life has been designed to test and trial us. I would humbly urge you read articles
[1]-[5] below. The articles are laced with Quranic verses. Corruption and evil is a consequence of what our own hands have earned (42:30).
Furthermore, what we may deem as suffering from our limited knowledge, will undoubtedly have a purpose which we may not always be privy to. I have already cited the example of Prophet Moses with you.
With regards retribution in Hell, would it be
‘just’ and
‘proper’ to leave an ardent sinner and criminal on earth unpunished in the Hereafter? Is that injustice not evil?
Does our perception of right and wrong depends on the power and authority of the one who is commiting the act? Not necessarily! The innate ability to know the difference between right / wrong or good / evil is programmed deep within us during our creation. According to the Quran, this is where our sense of morality emanates from. It is innate and designed that way.
091:007-10
"And a soul (Arabic: Nafsin) and Him Who perfected / proportioned it (Arabic: wanafsin wama sawaha). And inspired it (with conscience of) what is wrong for it and (what is) right for it. He is indeed successful who causes it to grow (purifies it), and he is indeed a failure who corrupts it (buries it)"For example, despite the reward of riches and being brought close to authority, power and societal respect (7:113-114), Pharaoh's magicians preferred death rather than succumb to the invitations of Pharaoh once the truth was manifested to them (7:124-126).
Please read these verses carefully.
As in if you asked someone to sacrifice his child for you you would be considered a bad person but if God does it with Abraham nobody is appalled by this act? Is that because God can grant people a vast eternal reward but ordinary people don't? Again, a dubious premise behind your statement and with respect, I urge you to recognise this. There is absolutely no explicit proof that God asked for the sacrifice of Prophet Abraham's son. Please see the post as reference
[6] below. If your understanding is potentially flawed, can you see why your question which is built on it may be argued as futile?
For example hypotheticaly speaking if Stalin or Hitler were the only ones who could grant you this vast reward would you worship and love them despite their crimes? Would you even judge their crimes as crimes?I have already provided you the example of Pharaoh's magicians. Despite the promise of reward and respect, they denied Pharaoh's authority accepting the truth that became manifest to them.
Another example is of Prophet Joseph. Despite the guiles of women that were intent on seducing him to lewd acts for no other reason but his outward beauty, he preferred incarceration for numerous years.
[7]I trust that my responses have clarified some of your questions, God willing
Regards,
Joseph
REFERENCES:[1] SUFFERING AND ADVERSITYhttp://quransmessage.com/articles/suffering%20FM3.htm[2] WE WILL BE TESTEDhttp://quransmessage.com/articles/tests%20FM3.htm[3] INDEED TO GOD WE BELONG AND INDEED TO HIM IS OUR RETURN - 'INNA-LILLAHI-WA'INNA-ILAYHI RAJIUN'http://quransmessage.com/articles/return%20to%20god%20FM3.htm[4] A PURPOSE TO CREATION - THE POWER OF TRUTHhttp://quransmessage.com/articles/creation%20purpose%20FM3.htm[5] UNDERSTANDING OUR TRIALS - WHY ME?http://quransmessage.com/articles/understanding%20trials%20FM3.htm[6] Why Did God Ask Abraham to Kill His Son?http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=178.0[7] BEAUTIFUL PEOPLEhttps://www.facebook.com/joseph.a.islam/posts/396349120502221