How many times do we ask the question about why evil is not punished? Why do dictators who kill and torture innocent people for no other crime than expressing an opinion live long lives and die in their beds, surrounded by their loved ones? Why are the wicked who hurt people not punished? Women say, ” Why can that evil woman procreate and not me, who prays and gives charity? Why do the criminals get away with their crimes? Why do mean people who harm others verbally, emotionally, physically, steal from them, or plot against them live unpunished?

How many good people sigh, looking at the wealth and power of the rich who do not walk in the path of God while they struggle? The bad souls consumed by jealousy make others suffer while they suffer more. Why and how do they get away with evildoing?

The scripture says that the scale weighs the good and the bad, which determines the chances for the righteous to go to heaven and the evil to hell. Many people do not want to wait for the day of judgment or the unknown world they do not see in their lifetime. They want divine justice to be done during their lifetime and before their eyes. Wouldn’t it be nice? “God, give justice to the faithful and the righteous”. God hears the prayer, but God has his plan for the faithful and for the evil. Judgment belongs to God, and he is the best advocate.  

“Those who were warned, “Your enemies have mobilized their forces against you, so fear them,” the warning only made them grow stronger in faith, and they replied, “Allah ˹alone˺ is sufficient ˹as an aid˺ for us, and ˹He˺ is the best wakil.” Quran 3:173

The word wakil has been translated as advocate, guardian, protector, representative, or disposer of affairs, but the meaning is clear: God takes in hand what men do not have the power to accomplish. Leave it to God, as we often say.

“And you will all be divided into three groups: The people of the right, how blessed will they be, the people of the left, how miserable will they be, and the foremost in faith will be the foremost in Paradise.” Quran 56:7-10

“Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children – like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries, and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion.” Quran 57:20

One of Jesus parables might answer our questions or help us understand.

Matthew 13:24-43

The Parable of the Weeds:

²⁴ Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. ²⁵ But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. ²⁶ When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

²⁷ “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’

²⁸ “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.

“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’

²⁹ “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. ³⁰ Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”

The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast:

³¹ He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. ³² Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”

³³ He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds^[a] of flour until it worked all through the dough.”

³⁴ Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. ³⁵ So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet:

“I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.”^[b]

The Parable of the Weeds Explained:

³⁶ Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”

³⁷ He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. ³⁸ The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, ³⁹ and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.

⁴⁰ “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. ⁴¹ The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. ⁴² They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. ⁴³ Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.

The Quran refers to the Gospel and the mustard seed:

“Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; and those with him are forceful against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating [in prayer], seeking bounty from Allah and [His] pleasure. Their mark is on their faces from the trace of prostration. That is their description in the Torah. And their description in the Gospel is as a plant which produces its offshoots and strengthens them so they grow firm and stand upon their stalks, delighting the sowers – so that Allah may enrage by them the disbelievers. Allah has promised those who believe and do righteous deeds among them forgiveness and a great reward.” Quran 48:29

We are often fascinated by what the scripture has in common: the Torah, the Bible, and the Quran. We must remember that it is the same God and the same message and put our trust in God; He knows what we ignore. Life is an exam that we need to pass. In front of difficulties, we believe in God, trust in Him, and show patience and wisdom.

“O believers! Seek comfort in patience and prayer. Allah is truly with those who are patient.” Quran 2:153

“We will certainly test you with a touch of fear and famine and loss of property, life, and crops. Give good news to those who patiently endure.” Quran 2:155