Date : 13-08-2024

Question :

Given what is happening in the world of injustice towards the innocent, bloodshed, violation of rights, and the domination of the strong over the weak without right, where is Allah?


The Answer :

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.



Wars, killing, oppression, and domination of the weak by the powerful that occur in this world are not the end of the matter. Beyond this, there is a severe reckoning on the Day of Judgment that will catch up with every oppressor, killer, and wrongdoer. Allah Says (What means): "And do not think Allah is unaware of what the wrongdoers do. He only delays them for a Day when eyes will stare (in horror.)" [Ibrahim/42]. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) described the perfect justice of the Day of Judgment, where the oppressed will be avenged against their oppressors, Saying: "Rights will be restored to their owners on the Day of Resurrection, even to the extent that a hornless sheep will be avenged by punishing the horned sheep." [Moslim].



As for the question: Where is Allah in the face of oppression, killing, and aggression? The answer is that Allah has made this killing and aggression a mean to elevate the ranks of the oppressed on the Day of Judgment and a cause for the punishment of the oppressors in this world and the Hereafter. Allah Says (What means): "That is because they suffer neither thirst nor fatigue nor hunger in the cause of Allah, nor do they tread on any ground that enrages the disbelievers, nor do they inflict any loss upon an enemy but that it is registered for them as a righteous deed. Indeed, Allah does not allow the reward of the doers of good to be lost." [At-Tawbah/ 120]. If Allah were to prevent all injustice with His power, then the concept of free will and moral responsibility in this world would lose its meaning. This would lead to people becoming lax in fulfilling their duties and rights, making this world a place of indulgence without any struggle or difficulty. It would be a world devoid of illness, trials, poverty, death, or pain, making it meaningless for people to strive for goodness and virtue.



The question itself is flawed and reflects a lack of understanding, a weak resolve, and a deficiency in reasoning. The way of life that Allah has chosen is one where human beings are enabled to manage their affairs and relationships with others with justice and fairness. This way, they wrong neither themselves nor anyone else among their fellow human beings. The ability of humans to do so is a divine gift from Allah, Who has blessed them with reason and free will. Allah Says (What means): "Did We not make for him two eyes, and a tongue and two lips, and show him the two ways." [Al-Balad/8].



Therefore, when a person engages in wrongful behavior, the blame falls on that individual, not on Allah, glorified and exalted be He. Indeed, Allah has made it clear that those who do not use reason and guidance are likened to animals. Allah Says (What means): "And We have certainly created for Hell many of the jinn and mankind. They have hearts with which they do not understand, they have eyes with which they do not see, and they have ears with which they do not hear. Those are like livestock; rather, they are more astray. It is they who are the heedless." [Al-Ar'af/179].



Allah The Almighty clarified this issue in the holy Quran and explained His reasons for conducting worldly matters according to the principles of trial, obligation, and patience. He Said (What means): "We did not send before you any of the messengers except that they ate food and walked in the markets. And We have made some of you as a trial for others. Will you have patience? And your Lord is Seeing." [Al-Furqan/20]. The meaning is that Allah The Almighty could have made His messengers angels in a high status that would compel humans to respond out of fear, coercion, and necessity. However, in His wisdom, Allah the Almighty chose to make matters voluntary and allowed people to interact with each other, so that each person can make their own choices and be accountable for them.



Similarly, if Allah had wanted to prevent people from fighting, He could have done so. If He had wanted to stop the oppressors, He could have done that as well. Allah Says (What means): "But they differed. So among them were some who believed, and among them were some who disbelieved. And if Allah had willed, they would not have fought each other, but Allah does what He wills." [Al-Baqarah/253]. The purpose of these trials and afflictions is to test the believers. Allah explains this by Saying (What mean): "Do the people think that they will be left alone because they say, We believe and they will not be tested? And We have certainly tested those before them. And Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident the liars." [Al-Ankabut/2-3]. Allah allows the oppressors to commit injustice so that they may be punished for their wrongdoing, and to elevate the status of the oppressed on the Day of Judgment. Allah The Almighty Says (What means): "And We wanted to confer favor upon those who were oppressed in the land and make them leaders and make them inheritors* And establish them in the land and show Pharaoh, Haman, and their soldiers what they had feared from them." [Al-Qasas, 5-6].



In conclusion, Allah The Almighty is aware of everything that happens in the universe. Nothing occurs in the world except by His will and power. The divine judgments, wisdom, and arrangements behind these events are beyond superficial understanding and are grasped only by those with profound insight and faith. It is the duty of the believer, in the face of trials, difficulties, and tribulations, to be patient and not despair. They should also take the necessary measures to strengthen themselves against the aggression of oppressors and the ambitions of the disbelievers and tyrants. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.