What does Surah 2:177 teach about patience in suffering?

Surah 2:177 counts patience in poverty, illness and battle as true righteousness. Righteousness is shown in faith and action, not in facing east or west.

How does free will explain moral suffering?

Allah gave humans free will, and many choose to harm others. Moral suffering is the cost of real freedom, not Allah's doing.

How can suffering bring people closer to Allah?

Suffering can humble people, make them turn to Allah in prayer and build compassion. A hadith says hardship removes a believer's sins.

Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B 1RB0

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Sikhism: Marriage and the FamilyPaper 1

Topic overview The purpose of marriage in Sikhism Sikh teaching on sexual relationships The purpose of the Sikh family How the sangat supports Sikh families Sikh attitudes to contraception Sikh attitudes to divorce and remarriage Men and women in the Sikh family Sikh opposition to gender prejudice

Sikhism: Matters of Life and DeathPaper 1

Topic overview Sikh responses to the origins and value of the universe Sikh teaching on the sanctity of life Sikh responses to evolution Sikh attitudes to abortion Sikh responses to arguments for life after death Sikh responses to arguments against life after death Sikh attitudes to euthanasia Sikh responses to the natural world and animal rights

Sikhism: Crime and PunishmentPaper 2

Topic overview Sikh attitudes to justice Sikh attitudes to crime and the Five Thieves Sikh teaching on good, evil and suffering Sikh attitudes to punishment Sikh views on the aims of punishment Sikh teaching on forgiveness Sikh teaching on the treatment of criminals Sikh attitudes to the death penalty

Sikhism: Peace and ConflictPaper 2

Topic overview Sikh teaching on peace Sikhs and peacemaking Sikh attitudes to conflict Sikh attitudes to pacifism and passive resistance Dharam Yudh: the Sikh Just War The saint-soldier and Sikh views on holy war Sikh attitudes to weapons of mass destruction Sikh responses to violence, war and terrorism

Sikhism: Philosophy of ReligionPaper 3

Topic overview Gurbani and Guru Nanak's revelation at the river Visions and mystical experiences in Sikhism Numinous experience, vismaad and enlightenment in Sikhism Miracles and Sikh belief Sikh attitudes to religious experience The design argument and Sikh belief The cosmological argument and Sikh belief A Sikh upbringing and belief in God

Sikhism: EqualityPaper 3

Topic overview Sikh teaching on human rights Sikh attitudes to equality and solutions to inequality Sikh attitudes to religious freedom and a multi-faith society Sikh attitudes to prejudice and discrimination against religions Sikh teaching on racial harmony and Begampura Sikh responses to racial discrimination Sikh attitudes to social justice and Deg Tegh Fateh Sikh attitudes to wealth and poverty

Islam: Philosophy of Religion

Muslim responses to the problem of suffering

3 things to know
Paper 3

Overview

Suffering as a test, Surah 2:152 to 157 and 2:177 on patience, free will, Musa and al-Khidr, the afterlife, prayer and charity, and Ash'ari and Shi'a views of Allah's justice.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Key term

How do Muslims explain suffering as a test?

Key term

What does Surah 2:156–157 teach about responding to suffering?

Key term

What does Surah 2:152–153 teach about coping with hardship?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
How do Muslims explain suffering as a test?
Model answer
Muslims believe life is a test from Allah to see who will stay faithful. Surah 2:155 says Allah will test believers with fear, hunger and loss of wealth, lives and crops.
2
What does Surah 2:156–157 teach about responding to suffering?
Model answer
Surah 2:156 praises those who say in disaster, 'We belong to Allah and to him we return'. Surah 2:157 says blessings and mercy rest on them.
3
What does Surah 2:152–153 teach about coping with hardship?
Model answer
Surah 2:152 says, 'Remember me and I will remember you'. Surah 2:153 tells believers to seek help through patience and prayer.
4
What does Surah 2:177 teach about patience in suffering?
Model answer
Surah 2:177 counts patience in poverty, illness and battle as true righteousness. Righteousness is shown in faith and action, not in facing east or west.
5
How does free will explain moral suffering?
Model answer
Allah gave humans free will, and many choose to harm others. Moral suffering is the cost of real freedom, not Allah's doing.
6
How can suffering bring people closer to Allah?
Model answer
Suffering can humble people, make them turn to Allah in prayer and build compassion. A hadith says hardship removes a believer's sins.

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