The Oldest Question in Religion: Islam’s Response to Why Bad Things Happen? Anchor Series #1

Anchor Series #1 9/2/25– Theodicy: Understanding Suffering and Divine Wisdom

Why does a Merciful God allow pain and suffering? This question, known as theodicy, has challenged believers, skeptics, and philosophers throughout history. In this first session of the Anchor Series, Dr. Shaykh Yasir Qadhi explores the origins of this question, how different traditions attempted to answer it, and why it remains central to faith today.

From the Epicurean Paradox and Zoroastrian dualism to reflections of St. Augustine, Ibn Rushd, and C.S. Lewis, we journey through centuries of debate. We also look at the Qur’anic perspective, the insights of Muslim scholars, and the timeless lesson that God’s wisdom transcends human understanding. The session closes with live Q&A, covering everything from parental care to grappling with tragedy and holding on to faith in the face of unimaginable suffering.

0:00:00 Introduction and Preview
0:01:41 The Return of Old Controversies
0:05:46 Our Current Topic is Theodicy
0:06:10 Theodicy is the study of the Divine Goodness allowing for suffering and pain
0:07:52 When this question isn't answered properly
0:10:19 A History of Theodicy
0:10:52 Epicurean Paradox
0:14:32 Zoroastrian Dualism
0:16:28 Manicheaism
0:18:27 Muslim Thinkers on the Manicheans
0:22:55 The Abrahamic Traditions
0:23:16 The Biblical Book of Job
0:25:14 St Augustine's Commentary on the Book of Job
0:26:21 St Thomas Aquinus borrowed from Ibn Rushd
0:27:15 St Thomas Aquinus's Commentary on Job
0:28:17 Søren Kierkegard's Commentary on Job
0:30:12 C.S. Lewis's authorship of Chronicles of Narnia
0:32:32 Many Historical Traditions have grappled with this topic
0:32:46 Why is this Question Important?
0:32:58 The Philosophical Issues this question deals with
0:33:14 The Main Critiques of Atheists is the Question of Evil
0:33:48 On those who left Islam
0:34:08 The Theological Issues this Question deals with
0:35:30 Even Angels asked this Question
0:40:46 Humans are not God, and God will always know more
0:43:55 Preview and Recommended Readings
0:46:43 Q1: What about the Ayah on Any Evil that happens is from your self?
0:53:40 Q2: Ibn Taymiyyah and Tasawwuf
0:57:00 Q3: How do you deal with parents getting older?
0:59:44 Q4: Did any Qurayshi Pagans flee to India?
1:00:29 Q5: Istigatha in a poetic context
1:06:33 Q6: On Those who Preach what they don't Practice
1:09:25 Q7: Are Indians looked down upon in the Muslim World?
1:11:13 Q8: On Relapsing to a Sin you've asked forgiveness for
1:14:11 Q9: Why are the people of Gaza able to hold on to faith?
1:18:00 Shaykh's Correspondence with Abu Diya Khaled Nabhan before his martyrdom
1:23:36 Outro