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Level 3 · Advanced InquiryTheology & belief

Why We Suffer: Islamic Perspectives on Hardship

“Why We Suffer: Islamic Perspectives on Hardship” is an online course which examines the philosophy of human suffering.

With Shaykh Azhar Nasser

Video lessonsLecture notesCertificate

From $12/month · cancel anytime (USD).

About this course

Consider the philosophy of human suffering through questions of divine justice, human understanding and the difference between justice and equality. The course begins by defining suffering, then examines its relationship with sin and the meanings discussed in Quranic and hadith sources.

Later lessons turn to patience, the Prophet’s suffering and accounts of spiritual growth through hardship. The course concludes with coping strategies, keeping the discussion of lived difficulty alongside the theological questions introduced at the beginning.

What you’ll explore

  • Suffering, divine justice and the limits of human understanding
  • Justice, equality and worldly prosperity
  • Suffering and sin in Quranic and hadith sources
  • Patience and spiritual growth through hardship
  • The Prophet’s suffering and coping strategies

Curriculum

  1. 01
    The Topic of Human Suffering

    Notes (PDF)

  2. 02
    Defining Suffering

    Notes (PDF)

  3. 03
    Two Key Principles

    Notes (PDF)

  4. 04
    Divine Justice

    Notes (PDF)

  5. 05
    The Limits of Human Understanding

    Notes (PDF)

  6. 06
    Worldly Prosperity is Not a Sign of Divine Favor

    Notes (PDF)

  7. 07
    Justice or Equality

    Notes (PDF)

  8. 08
    Human Suffering and Sin in the Quran

    Notes (PDF)

Show the full curriculum (18)
  1. 09
    Human Suffering and Sin in Hadith

    Notes (PDF)Reading (lessons 1–9)Quiz (lessons 1–9)

  2. 10
    Softening the Heart Through Suffering

    Notes (PDF)

  3. 11
    Selected Hadith on Wisdom of Human Suffering

    Notes (PDF)

  4. 12
    Spiritual Growth Through Suffering

    Notes (PDF)

  5. 13
    The Promise of Suffering

    Notes (PDF)

  6. 14
    A Definition of Patience Attributed to Rumi

    Notes (PDF)

  7. 15
    The Patience of the Believer

    Notes (PDF)

  8. 16
    A Sign of Divine Love

    Notes (PDF)

  9. 17
    The Prophet's Suffering

    Notes (PDF)

  10. 18
    Coping Strategies

    Notes (PDF)Reading (lessons 10–18)Quiz (lessons 10–18)

Before you begin

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