Hello
I’m not sure if I will get a reply here but I will write anyway.
I have been searching and reading for years but found no satisfying answer. I believe in god and islam but I’m angry all the time because I was forced to be born and forced to be a muslim. Yes there is force in islam because if you don’t believe you wiil go to hell! Why are we forced to suffer? Why helpless animals are forced to suffer? How am I supposed to like/love and worship a god whom I’m angry with? The answer that I got was: our small brains can’t understand god’s reasons, that doesn’t make sense to me at all. I am smart enough to ask there questions but not smart enough to handle a reasonable answer from god?? I don’t want to live anymore but of course I will go to hell if I kill myself!!! Trusting in god and waiting to find out these answers in afterlife does not work for me at all. What the hell am I supposed to do???? Just pray like a hypocrite?? I feel like I want to blow up the earth and end this. 
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
Brother/Sister in Islam
It pains us to hear of your current dilemma. We make dua Almighty Allah keep you steadfast on the truth and dispel all doubts from your mind. Aameen.
The fact that you have been searching and reading for years is a sign that you truly seek the truth. We are grateful to Almighty Allah that he has still kept you upon his beautiful religion.
Hereunder are the answers to your query:
1. Are we forced into existence?
It is true that none of us chose to come into existence. Had you not been brought into existence, the idea of choice would not even be applicable to you. Consider this, Almighty Allah is the Being who is all-knowing, all-wise, and in His infinite wisdom He chose to bring you into existence. See the following verse of the Holy Quran,
هَلْ أَتَى عَلَى الْإِنْسَانِ حِينٌ مِنَ الدَّهْرِ لَمْ يَكُنْ شَيْئًا مَذْكُورًا
Translation: “There surely came over man a period of time when he was a thing not worth mentioning.”
The ability to acknowledge and understand how great a bounty we have been bestowed with, is entirely dependent upon the lens through which we view existence and what it entails. If Almighty Allah chose you, that means your very existence is a consequence of the will and love of Almighty Allah. As such, you should try and rectify your current attitude and mindset.
One must understand that procreation is a system to ensure the survival of mankind. Even then, Almighty Allah has made it such that each child is born as a believer. To believe in one creator and to search for Almighty Allah is inherent in human nature. Consider the following hadith,[i]
أن أبا هريرة رضي الله عنه، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: ما من مولود إلا يولد على الفطرة، فأبواه يهودانه، وينصرانه، أو يمجسانه، كما تنتج البهيمة بهيمة جمعاء، هل تحسون فيها من جدعاء ثم يقول أبو هريرة رضي الله عنه: فطرة الله التي فطر الناس عليها لا تبديل لخلق الله ذلك الدين القيم (الروم: 30)
Translation: “Abu Huraira (Radhiyallahu Anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “Every child is born with the true faith of Islam (i.e. to worship none but Allah Alone) but his parents convert him to Judaism, Christianity or Magianism, just as an animal delivers a perfect baby animal, do you find it mutilated?” Then Abu Huraira (Radhiyallahu Anhu) recited the verse: “(Adhere to) the fitrah of Allah upon which He has created all people. No change should there be in the creation of Allah. That is the straight religion (true faith of Islam).”
Even after creating us upon Tawheed and the true religion, Almighty Allah nurtures and raises us in a world and environment which constantly reminds us of Him. Everywhere we look, there is always a sign that points us towards Him. As stated earlier, it is entirely dependent upon ones outlook of the world and creation. Take an egg for example, an object that in no way resembles other living things. Its exterior is hard and smooth. It reveals absolutely no signs of life within it, yet when it cracks open, a fully formed chick scrambles out, bursting with life. A single moment of contemplation would be sufficient to convince us that a creator does definitely exist i.e. Almighty Allah. It is these small wonders of the world that should make us appreciate this great gift of life that we have been bestowed with. It is now up to us to take maximum benefit from this gift.
2. What is the purpose behind creation?
To truly understand the purpose behind creation, one must turn his attention towards the revelations that Almighty Allah sent down to us through his chosen and beloved Prophets. Almighty Allah says in the Holy Quran,
Surah Dhaariyaat, Verse 56,
وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنْسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ
Translation: “And we did not create Mankind and Jinn-kind except (so) that they worship me”
Surah Mulk, Verse 2,
الَّذِي خَلَقَ الْمَوْتَ وَالْحَيَاةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْغَفُورُ
Translation: “(He is) The one who created death and life to test you (as to) which of you is best in deed, and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving”
Surah Ankaboot, Verse 2-3,
أَحَسِبَ النَّاسُ أَنْ يُتْرَكُوا أَنْ يَقُولُوا آمَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا يُفْتَنُونَ. وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ فَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ الْكَاذِبِينَ
Translation: “Do people think that they will be left alone on saying, we believe, and not be tried? Certainly, we tried those before them, so Allah will certainly know those who are true, and he will certainly know the liars”
From the verses above, we understand that Almighty Allah created us to worship Him. He is our Master and we are His slaves. A slave cannot question his master. Nevertheless, out of his infinite mercy, Almighty Allah still informs us regarding our purpose in this worldly life. He sent us into this world in order to test us. Our sole objective is to please Almighty Allah, thereby earning his pleasure.
3. Are we forced to believe due to fear of hell?
We do not only believe in Almighty Allah due to fear of Hell. The state of a believer fluctuates between hope and fear. Hope in the mercy of Almighty Allah, and fear of his punishment. Almighty Allah himself says in a Hadith Qudsi,[ii]
سبقت رحمتي غضبي
Translation: “My mercy precedes my anger”
As human beings, we must recognise our place in the universe. We exist to obey and worship Almighty Allah. Once the truth of that penetrates the heart, a believer begins worshipping Almighty Allah out of ardent love for Allah. At such a stage, the only reason a believer adheres to the Shari’ah is to please his beloved.
4. Can one be angry at Almighty Allah?
More often than not, anger stems from misconceptions, misunderstandings and misinterpretations. It is very likely that your current attitude is also contributing negatively towards your inability to comprehend the wisdoms behind creation.
We must accept that everything Almighty Allah does, has wisdom behind it. Even the laws stipulated in the Shari’ah contain wisdom. As such, it does not befit a believer to ever direct anger towards Almighty Allah. Often, it is our limited intellect that holds us back from grasping the true nature of things. Therefore, you must strive against your Nafs (carnal self) and attempt to reform your current attitude.
5. What is the wisdom behind trials and tribulations in this world?
By casting a cursory glance at the hereafter and the Jannah that awaits a believer, one will understand the wisdoms behind the worldly trials. Jannah is the ultimate reward offered by Almighty Allah. Given its value, it comes at a cost. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) says in a hadith,[iii]
أَلاَ إِنَّ سِلْعَةَ اللَّهِ غَالِيَةٌ أَلاَ إِنَّ سِلْعَةَ اللَّهِ الْجَنَّةُ
Translation: “Indeed, the item of Allah is expensive. Indeed, the item of Allah is Paradise.”
Trials and tribulations are one of the methods through which Almighty Allah tests us. Tests and difficulties in the road of life are not reserved for those unmindful of Almighty Allah, just as a trouble-free life is not restricted to those with firm faith. Tribulations and sacrifice are a hallmark of the most righteous servants of Allah, especially the prophets. Our beloved Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was once asked, “Which people experience the most tests and difficulties in this life?” He responded:[iv]
الأَنْبِيَاءُ ثُمَّ الأَمْثَلُ فَالأَمْثَلُ
Translation: “The prophets of Allah experience the most tests and difficulties in this life. Then those nearer to them, and then those nearer to them.”
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) further went on to say that a person will continue persevering through these trials until he is walking on the earth in a state where he is nearly sinless. This is because the more he endures, the more his sins get forgiven. Once one understands the wisdom behind the struggles experienced in life, they actually appreciate it and are able to bear it.
A philosophical argument can also be made that each thing is defined by its opposite. For example, how would we understand happiness if we had no grief and sorrow to compare it to? How would we have appreciated the great gift of life, if there was no death to relate it to?
Almighty Allah, in His infinite knowledge, knows what is best for us. Hence, each person should realise that his allotted portion is definitely what is best for him.
6. Do animals suffer for no reason?
With regards to animals, Almighty Allah says, Surah Nahl, Verse 5,
وَالْأَنْعَامَ خَلَقَهَا لَكُمْ فِيهَا دِفْءٌ وَمَنَافِعُ وَمِنْهَا تَأْكُلُونَ
Translation: “And he created cattle for you, you have in them warm clothing and many advantages, and of them do you eat”
Almighty Allah has created animals on the Earth to be of benefit to mankind. There is no cruelty or suffering in this. This is the purpose of their creation. All this is within the wisdom of Almighty Allah.
Often, man loses sight of his true purpose in this world. Due to this, he is unable to cope with the ups and downs of life endured by one and all.
We pray that the above answers your queries. We advise you to obtain a copy of Qaseedah Burdah by my honourable teacher, Mufti Ebrahim Desai Saheb Hafizahullah, for spiritual revival and motivation. You may also access it via the following link: https://daruliftaa.net/qaseeda-burdah/
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Bilal Yusuf Pandor
Student Darul Iftaa
Lusaka, Zambia
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
صحيح البخاري (2/ 95) [i]
1359 – حدثنا عبدان، أخبرنا عبد الله، أخبرنا يونس، عن الزهري، أخبرني أبو سلمة بن عبد الرحمن، أن أبا هريرة رضي الله عنه، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: «ما من مولود إلا يولد على الفطرة، فأبواه يهودانه، وينصرانه، أو يمجسانه، كما تنتج البهيمة بهيمة جمعاء، هل تحسون فيها من جدعاء» ثم يقول أبو هريرة رضي الله عنه: {فطرة الله التي فطر الناس عليها لا تبديل لخلق الله ذلك الدين القيم} [الروم: 30]
صحيح مسلم (4/ 2108) [ii]
15 – (2751) حدثني زهير بن حرب، حدثنا سفيان بن عيينة، عن أبي الزناد، عن الأعرج، عن أبي هريرة، عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم، قال الله عز وجل: سبقت رحمتي غضبي
سنن الترمذي ت شاكر (4/ 633) [iii]
2450 – حدثنا أبو بكر بن أبي النضر قال: حدثنا أبو النضر قال: حدثنا أبو عقيل الثقفي قال: حدثنا أبو فروة يزيد بن سنان التميمي قال: حدثني بكير بن فيروز، قال: سمعت أبا هريرة، يقول: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: «من خاف أدلج، ومن أدلج بلغ المنزل، ألا إن سلعة الله غالية، ألا إن سلعة الله الجنة»: «هذا حديث حسن غريب لا نعرفه إلا من حديث أبي النضر»
سنن ابن ماجه ت الأرنؤوط (5/ 152) [iv]
4023 – حدثنا يوسف بن حماد المعني، ويحيى بن درست، قالا: حدثنا حماد بن زيد، عن عاصم، عن مصعب بن سعد
عن أبيه سعد بن أبي وقاص، قال: قلت: يا رسول الله، أي الناس أشد بلاء؟ قال: “الأنبياء، ثم الأمثل فالأمثل، يبتلى العبد على حسب دينه، فإن كان في دينه صلبا اشتد بلاؤه، وإن كان في دينه رقة ابتلي على حسب دينه، فما يبرح البلاء بالعبد حتى يتركه يمشي على الأرض، وما عليه من خطيئة”