As early as our childhood, many of us have been exposed to the major world religions. We heard about Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism, and at least learned the basics. When we took a look at the first three in particular, many of us probably told ourselves the same thing, “These religions are so similar!” All of them preach the existence of One God and they all have Prophets. All three of them, at minimum, believe in the Prophets Adam, Noah, Abraham, Joseph, David, Solomon, Joseph, and Moses (peace be upon them all).

Anyone with some curiosity would then wonder, “WHY? Why are they so similar?” It can’t just be coincidence, right? After a little bit of pondering, many conclude that the later religions copied from the previous ones. It sounds like a good conclusion. “This man Mohammad stole from the Bible!” It just makes sense. There’s no other explanation… or is there?

Take a pause and picture this. Humans have been around for tens or hundreds of thousands of years. If God exists and would want to guide people, one possible way is by sending Prophets. These are people, fresh and blood, like anyone else. However, they are of exceptionally high character. They also get inspired by God to preach the truth about the Oneness of God and how to properly live life. Some are even given Scriptures. As we all know, with time, corruption, and people’s desires, any teaching will lose its authenticity and thus, many Prophets were sent throughout time to all kinds of people.

THIS is exactly what Muslims believe. Thus, to a Muslim, Islam is not only 1,400 years old. It has been around since the first Prophet, Adam. Muhammad ﷺ is a Prophet just like the others, but he is the last one. One can respond and say, “That’s just a nice fairy tale. You still aren’t proving that he didn’t copy from the Bible.”

However, if you look into this in depth, you will see how is actually impossible. One, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was illiterate. Two, there were barely any Christians and copies of the Bible around him. Arabia 1,400 years ago was a paganistic and polytheistic society. Three, there are several historical inaccuracies and contradictions in the Bible. If Prophet Muhammad ﷺ copied the Bible, how come those weren’t copied? Take a look at this article – Reason #34: The King during Prophet Joseph’s time is a historical proof for the Quran? Four, there are several scientific facts mentioned in the Qur’an that have only been discovered in modern times. How is that possible?

Lastly, to put it all together, if God did share His teachings to all of humanity, it would only make sense that he put a religion out there that’s well-known and accessible; not a religion that’s only found in one country, or in a remote village in the middle of nowhere. It is something we can all find – if we try! Thus, Muslims say, Islam fits that logic.

“If there’s a God, why is there evil?” If you haven’t read Article 21: Evil in the World, please do so first. To summarize, we have concluded that because this question has been asked since the beginning of time, many have given responses, and thus, regardless of whether you’re an atheist or theist, chances are you have not thought about it in a way someone else hasn’t. As well, it is a fact that the presence of evil does not disprove God. Why? Because there’s no correlation.

Theodicy is the vindication of divine goodness and providence in view of the existence of evil. [Oxford Languages]

In other words, trying to understand the existence of evil with an All-Good and All-Powerful God existing. 

However, there are many reasons that can be given as to why there is evil in the world:

1. God allows free will.
2. Helps us recognize good, evil, morality, and justice. C. S. Lewis is known to have said, “A man does not call something crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line.”
3. Brings good in the world. Ex: charity.
4. Reminds us of the Afterlife, which is eternal.
5. Proves to us that with God’s judgment in the Afterlife, true justice will be accomplished.
6. Reconnect with God.
7. Teaches you patience, gratitude, and bravery.
8. Makes you smarter by learning from people’s difficulties and mistakes.
9. Shows one’s true colors. Ex: a difficult test convincing you God doesn’t exist or makes you go down a path of crime.
10. Every situation, no matter how evil, has some good in it.
11. A lot of suffering is because of our own selves and our own decisions.
12. We don’t see the full picture. God is much wiser than us and we can’t comprehend every factor.

Some additional reasons that Islam gives:

1. No injustice is done by God.
2. “Allah does not burden any soul with more than it can bear…” [Quran 2:286]
3. This world is a test.
4. Difficulties result in our sins being forgiven.
5. The tests will benefit us. Ex: rewards in Paradise.