Darul Uloom Trinidad & Tobago

Assalamu Alaikum,

I will like some advice on an urgent matter please, any assistance will be greatly appreciated.

A very close relative of mine is heading down a dark path and is questioning certain aspects in Islam, most of which I rather get some knowledge about to get him/her out of this mind-set. Please note that these questions are coming from this individual.

Why did Allah create us?

Why did Allah swt create evil?

Why do Allah swt allow people to do evil, eg. Kill others or commit suicide?

Why is it that when non-Muslims convert all their sins are forgiven, so we as Muslims can commit sin and then revert to Islam with a clean slate?

Basically this person is showing signs of depression, not wanting to live on this earth because of all the evil that is among us. Suicide was mentioned, and I encourage by saying what about your family who loves you, and suicide is a sin etc, their response is Allah doesn’t give us more than we can handle. He/she does not see suicide as a problem because Allah swt allows it, and if it happens its not a problem for the family because Allah swt does not give us more than we can handle.

I am really worried about this individual, he/she said many times that they dont want to be alive and that Allah said that is world a prison for the believer so it makes how they feel in accordance to what Allah swt has said.

Please shed some light on those questions for me especially the suicide statement, its literally life or death. Also do you know any great local Muslim Psychologists? I really do not know what to do anymore.

JazakAllah

Wa Alaikum Assalaam,

الجواب و بالله التوفيق

1.Allah created us so that we may worship Him and live our lives as true believers in obedience and submission to Him.

Giving life to us was indeed a very great gift from Allah. Through this life, we are able to enjoy the bounties and favours of Allah which He has placed on the face of this earth for us. In return for this great favour, Allah wants us to show gratitude to him through all forms of worship to him. In the Quran, He has mentioned:

‘I have not created jinn and man except for my worship.’ (Surah Adh Dhariyat, V.56)

Since Allah has placed us on the face of the earth to serve Him, He has sent a code of guidance to man, and has sent teachers in the form of Prophets and Messengers. Everything that we do in accordance to the teachings of Allah’s religion is considered to be a form of worship. As such, marriage, work, maintaining family relations, eats, drinks and living in all aspects of our lives once done in accordance with the teachings of Islam will all be considered as worship to Allah. Thus, Allah has created us so that we may live your lives in goodness and then eventually be admitted to paradise when we die.

2.Allah created evil so that this will be a test for the believers. If a believer is not tested and tried, it will not be evident from him as to whether he really believes in Allah and in the Hereafter or not.

It is very easy for a person to say ‘I Believe in Allah’, ‘I am a Muslim’, ‘I love Allah’. Thousands of Muslims use these statements on a daily basis, yet, their actions are far from the teachings of Islam. Many do not perform Salaah, observe the fast and give Zakaah. Many are involved in Haram (unlawful) practices and acts, and many are ready to give up Islam for any worldly benefit.

Through evil and its temptations, one’s faith is tested to see if he truly believes in Allah and if he believes in the guidance of the Holy Quran and the ways of the Prophet (S.A.S). Through temptations of evil, one is tried to see if he obeys Allah and abides by the rules of halal and haram or not. Would one marry as prescribed in the Shariah or would he simply fulfil his desires in an unlawful manner through fornication? Would he stay away from Haram foods and drinks? Would he earn only halaal income? Would he be dishonest?

Evil is there so that one’s true faith and submission can be tested. Through tests and trials, one can prove himself to be a true believer in Allah and not just say it with the tongue.

3.Allah has created man and has given him a limited free will. With this, a man is able to choose between good and bad deeds. If he chooses to do good, he will be rewarded for it, and if he chooses bad, he will be punished for it. Killing others and committing suicide are actions a man chooses to do based on the free will he has been given. He is informed that these are very grave sins and has been ordered not to do them. Yet, because of the fact that he has the choice to either ‘do’ or ‘not do’, he can decide for his own self what he wants to do. When he chooses to do such actions, these will be attributed to him and not Allah.

The world is indeed filled with many evils today, but Allah has placed us here for a purpose. He looks at our actions and judges them based on what we do. As Muslims, we are required to be firm in our faith and refrain from evil actions. In return, Allah will reward us immensely.

Committing suicide is a grave sin which brings about harsh and severe punishments. This is totally haram and a Muslim must not even think about this. Whoever considers it permissible becomes a ‘Kafir’ (an unbeliever). Allah has prescribed life and death. Whenever he decides, He gives life, and whenever he wishes, he gives death. Committing suicide is rebelling against Allah’s decree and law.

It is true that Allah does not give a person more then he can bear. This therefore means that whatever may be happening in the life of a person, Allah knows he can bear these, this is why He has placed him in this state, and Allah knows that he can handle these.

4.When non-Muslims convert, all their sins are forgiven because they have exited the depths of darkness and entered into the light of guidance, and has decided to leave off shirk and kufr. This is a new beginning for such people which makes them change their entire lifestyle, both internal and external. This, for them is a great sacrifice since they are people who have lived a great amount of years in a certain religion which was liked by them. Their beliefs and practices had been in accordance to what they followed and account of this, their hearts grew attached to their former religion. By accepting Islam, they have shown the determination and strength of true faith by forsaking a religion which they were born into, grew with, and was the religion of their parents. Many of them, upon accepting Islam are expelled from their homes. They are ostracised and cut off from their families and some are even presecuted. Thus, on account of their great sacrifices, Allah blesses them and forgives their past sins. In this regard, the Prophet (S.A.S) said, ‘Do you not know that accepting Islam destroys all sins which came before it.’ (Sahih Muslim)

This virtue is given to them, however, this does not mean that a Muslim cannot get all his sins forgiven. In fact, from the traditions of the Prophet (S.A.S) it is evident that everyday a Muslim can get all his sins forgiven. In a tradition, the Prophet (S.A.S) said, ‘He who performs ablution well, his sins will come out from his body, even from under his nails.’ (Sahih Muslim)

In another tradition, the Prophet (S.A.S) said, ‘when the time for a prescribed prayer comes, if any believer performs ablution well and offers his prayer with humility and bowing. It will be an expiation for his past sins, so long as he has not committed a major sin; and this applies for all times.’ (Sahih Muslim)

In another tradition, the Prophet (S.A.S) said, ‘Whoever fasted the month of Ramadhan out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his past sins will be forgiven.’ (Sahih Bukhari)

The Prophet (S.A.S) also said, ‘Whoever performs Hajj for the pleasure of Allah and does not engage in sexual relations with his spouse, and does not do evil deeds/sins, then he will return after his Hajj free from all sins as the day his mother gave birth to him.’

All these thoughts and questions that have come to this person are from Satan. These are whispered in the heart so that Satan can weaken the Iman (faith) of the person. This itself is a test for the person. This individual should turn to Allah in Nafl Salaah and make sincere dua to Allah to take him out from this state of mind. We also make dua for this person.

And Allah Knows Best.

Mufti Waseem Khan.

25/2/2016.