Spiritual Purification Moral Growth Divine Justice Human Accountability Eschatological Hope

This study critically examines the concept of evil within the framework of Islamic theology and theodicy. It explores how Islam reconciles the existence of evil with belief in an omnipotent, omniscient, and benevolent God (Allah). The research analyzes classical and contemporary Islamic perspectives on moral and natural evil, emphasizing the theological explanations offered by key schools of thought such as the Ashʿarites, Muʿtazilites, and Sufis. Central to the discourse is the Qur’ānic understanding of divine wisdom (ḥikmah), human free will (ikhtiyār), predestination (qadar), and the ultimate purpose of trials and suffering as instruments for moral growth and spiritual purification. By engaging both philosophical reasoning and scriptural exegesis, the work evaluates whether Islamic theodicy provides a coherent and satisfying response to the problem of evil. The study concludes that while Islam does not eliminate the mystery of suffering, it offers a distinctive synthesis that underscores divine justice, human accountability, and eschatological hope.