r/AskPhilosophy
"What is the hardest question in life?"
Three questions that keep philosophers awake at night — answered with analogies from the Islamic intellectual tradition.
Q1
Why does anything exist instead of nothing?
Q2
What is the point of consciousness?
Q3
If God exists, why is there suffering?
Answer 1: Why does anything exist?
Secular dead-end: "It just does." — Three analogies say otherwise.
Analogy — The Big Bang
"In the first quarter of the 20th century, it was discovered that the universe had come into existence as a result of the Big Bang. This was like the discovery of God in the language of science. This means that when the universe has a beginning, then certainly there must be a beginner of the universe, who in religious terminology has been called God."
Source: Discovering God, p. 5
What this means: If the universe had a starting point, something outside it must have triggered it. The Big Bang is not a counter-argument to God — it's an argument for a Beginner.
Analogy — The Sea of Ink
"If all the trees on earth were pens, and the sea [were] ink, with seven [more] seas added to it, the words of God would not be exhausted: for, truly, God is Almighty and Wise."
Source: Quran 31:27
· Cited in Discovering God, p. 11
What this means: The Creator's knowledge is literally inexhaustible. The physical universe is just one sentence in an infinite book. Existence is not random — it is the overflow of a limitless Mind.
Analogy — The Masterpiece
"Man is a masterpiece of the creative power of God. In this vast universe no creature like man exists. … 'We have indeed created man in the best of mould.' (95:4)"
What this means: You are not an accident. You are the highest creation in a universe built with purpose. A masterpiece implies a Master Artist.
Answer 2: What is the point of consciousness?
Secular dead-end: "Evolutionary side-effect." — Four analogies say it's the whole point.
Analogy — Spiritual Food
"Learning lessons is spiritual food for a believer. For the believer, if material food is a source of physical strength, then learning lessons has the position of spiritual food. Without material food, the body cannot be healthy. Similarly, without intellectual food, spirituality cannot develop."
Source: Discovering God, p. 28
What this means: Consciousness isn't a side-effect — it's a receptor. Just as the body needs food, the soul needs realization. Your awareness exists so you can discover what's behind the curtain.
Analogy — The Green Tree
"The leaves of the green tree, to a wise man, serve as a great resource of the realization of the Creator."
Source: Discovering God, p. 86 (Persian proverb)
What this means: A tree is just a tree — until a conscious mind looks at it and sees evidence of design. Consciousness is the lens that turns raw nature into revelation.
Analogy — Unlimited Potential
"Man's mind has been given unlimited potential. It is not there for nothing. It is not meant to remain idle. It is for man to open up his mind and to discover the divine reality. … It is believed that the number of particles in the human mind are equal to all particles in the entire universe."
Source: Discovering God, p. 15
· Quran: 31:27
What this means: Your brain has as many particles as the entire universe. That's not a coincidence — it's engineering. The mind was built to comprehend the cosmos and find its Maker.
Analogy — Preparing for Paradise
"The present world is, in fact, for the purpose of preparing man for the next world. The truth is that the favourite activity of the people of Paradise will be to keep eternally discovering the unlimited wonders of God."
Source: Discovering God, p. 16
What this means: This life is a training ground for an eternal career of discovery. Consciousness is the entrance exam — not the final destination.
Answer 3: If God exists, why suffering?
Secular dead-end: "Proves God doesn't exist." — Four analogies reframe the question entirely.
Analogy — Dark Matter
"About 95% of space is filled with bright stars, but their brilliance is not visible, for the gravitational pull of black holes is so great that they are holding back their brightness. … To make human power real, God has temporarily withheld His power in relation to man."
Source: Discovering God, p. 18
What this means: God didn't disappear — He stepped back. Just as dark matter hides the brilliance of stars so galaxies can form, God withholds His overwhelming power so human freedom can exist. Suffering is the cost of genuine free will.
Analogy — Ease in Hardship
"According to the Quran, the Law of Nature on which this world functions, ease is always present along with difficulty. (94:5-6) Along with problems and obstacles, there are always ways out of a difficult situation. This is the eternal Law of Nature, and it will never change."
Source: 100 Principles, p. 90
· Quran: 94:5-6
What this means: Suffering is never the whole picture. God built a law into reality itself: every hardship comes paired with an exit. The question isn't "why suffering?" — it's "did you look for the ease that was embedded in it?"
Analogy — The Shepherd
"The Prophet of Islam said, 'Listen, every one of you is a shepherd. And every one of you will be asked about your flock.'"
What this means: Suffering exists because responsibility exists. You have a flock — people who depend on you. The weight on your shoulders isn't pointless. It's the test that gives your life meaning.
Analogy — Shattered Ambitions
"I discovered my Lord by the shattering of my ambitions."
Source: Discovering God, p. 17
— attributed to Ali ibn Abi Talib
What this means: Some people only find God after their plans collapse. Suffering strips away illusions and forces you to confront what's real. The breaking is not the enemy — it's the doorway.
"I recognized my Lord by failing to execute my will."
— Ali ibn Abi Talib, 4th Caliph of Islam (Discovering God, p. 75)
Summary
| Reddit Question | Secular Dead-End | Maulana's Answer | Key Analogy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Why does anything exist? | "It just does" | A beginning requires a Beginner | Big Bang = discovery of God in the language of science |
| What's the point of consciousness? | "Evolutionary side-effect" | Your mind was built to discover God | Brain particles = universe particles — built to comprehend |
| Why suffering? | "Disproves God" | God stepped back so freedom could exist | Dark matter hides star-light so galaxies can form |
| What's the meaning of it all? | "There is none" | This life is training for eternal discovery | Spiritual food — consciousness is the receptor |
Quran Verses Referenced
| Verse | Theme | Link |
|---|---|---|
| 31:27 | God's words are inexhaustible — the sea-of-ink metaphor | quran.com/31:27 |
| 95:4 | Man created in the best of mould | quran.com/95:4 |
| 17:70 | Children of Adam honoured above other creatures | quran.com/17:70 |
| 94:5-6 | With every hardship comes ease | quran.com/94:5-6 |
| 40:64 | God shaped and provided for mankind | quran.com/40:64 |