Why does Allah allow suffering?
In Islam, suffering is part of a life that Allah made as a test, and it is never wasted. Allah is perfectly just and merciful, so He wrongs no one. Hardship can wipe away sins, raise a person's rank and build patience, and every injustice will be put right in the afterlife. We may not always see the wisdom, but Islam asks us to trust that it is there.
This life is a test
The Quran says that life and death were created to see "which of you is best in deeds" (Quran 67:2). It also says that nobody escapes difficulty:
So pain is not proof that Allah dislikes you. Prophets suffered more than anyone, and they were the most beloved to Him. Allah also promises that He does not burden a soul beyond what it can bear (Quran 2:286).
Why is there so much evil and pain?
Two ideas help here:
- Free will: Allah gave humans real choice. That means some people choose to harm others. Much of the world's suffering comes from human injustice, not from what Allah loves or wants.
- A temporary, imperfect world: illness, loss and disasters belong to this life, which is not meant to be Paradise. Allah sees the whole picture and we see only a small piece of it.
Islam does not ask you to pretend this is easy to understand. It asks you to hold on to what you do know: Allah is the Most Merciful, the All-Knowing and the Just. See Do we have free will in Islam?
What suffering can do for a believer
- Forgive sins: the Prophet ﷺ said that no tiredness, illness, worry or sadness reaches a Muslim, even a thorn prick, except that Allah wipes away some of his sins because of it (Sahih al-Bukhari 5641).
- Turn every state into good: a believer who is thankful in ease and patient in hardship gains in both (Sahih Muslim 2999).
- Bring you closer to Allah: many people find their deepest dua and humility in hard times.
- Build compassion: pain teaches us to help others who are hurting.
This does not mean that people who suffer deserve it, or that you should look for suffering. It also does not excuse anyone who causes harm, who will answer for it. See What is qadr in Islam?
Justice is not finished in this life
Islam teaches that this world is not the final court. Oppressors will be held to account, and the patient will be rewarded beyond what they lost. The Quran promises, "surely with hardship comes ease" (Quran 94:5-6).
You are also allowed to grieve. When the Prophet ﷺ's baby son Ibrahim was dying, his eyes filled with tears and he said, "The eyes shed tears and the heart is grieved, and we say only what pleases our Lord" (Sahih al-Bukhari 1303). If you feel angry or confused, you are not a bad Muslim. See Is it a sin to feel angry at Allah?
- Life is a test, and suffering does not mean Allah has abandoned you.
- Free will explains why humans cause so much harm.
- Hardship can erase sins and raise your rank when met with patience.
- Every injustice will be settled in the afterlife.
- Crying and grieving are natural and allowed.
People also ask
Why does my iman go up and down?
Your iman rises and falls because faith grows with worship and dips with stress and neglect. It is normal, so keep small steady habits.
Read the full answer →Why did Allah create Satan?
Allah created Satan within a world of free choice and let him tempt but never force. This makes the test real, and his power is very limited.
Read the full answer →What mistakes should new Muslims avoid?
New Muslims should avoid doing too much too fast, correcting others harshly, cutting off family and going it alone. Take it step by step.
Read the full answer →What is the purpose of life in Islam?
The purpose of life in Islam is to know and worship Allah, care for the earth and others, and prepare for the afterlife. Worship covers all of life.
Read the full answer →What is taqwa?
Taqwa is God-consciousness: awareness of Allah that leads you to obey Him and avoid what He dislikes. Build it with prayer, dhikr and good deeds.
Read the full answer →