The Mechanism of Divine Power's Relation to Evil from the Perspective of Islamic Theology

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PhD student, Islamic Theology, University of Qom, Qom, Iran

2 Professor, Department of Islamic Philosophy and Theology, University of Qom, Qom, Iran

10.22034/jid.2024.292075.2230

Abstract

One significant skepticism surrounding God’s existence and attributes arises from the presence of evils, a challenge not only faced by atheists but also by theists. Upon analysis, it becomes apparent that evils in the material world do not reflect any flaws in the divine essence. In fact, there are several reasons behind the human perception of evils. Thus, since evils existentially manifest, they possess inherent goodness, with any perceived flaw being merely a product of human perspective. Evils are perceived in various ways—stemming from conflicts within the material world, as a result of human choices, or due to certain outcomes not aligning with human desires. It is essential to recognize that the overall balance of the universe is not dictated solely by human will and desires; instead, causal necessity governs the events of the world. Humans, through their choices, contribute to this evolutionary course. While evils may not be desirable from a human standpoint, the causal system of the world indicates the permanent agency and power of God, alongside the influence of human free will as a natural entity within this system. Creatures' effects cannot be eliminated from this causal system; thus, evils can be addressed by rectifying one’s individual practices. Moreover, evils are inherent to the material world and are part of divine power within the causal system.

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