Non-existence is pure evil and that existence is pure good

 

Fourth indication

 

It has been unanimously accepted by verifying scholars and saints of spiritual discovery that non-existence is pure evil and that existence is pure good. Good, beauty, and excellence or perfection usually have their source in existence and are attributed to it. Even if sometimes they may superficially appear to be destructive and lead to non-existence, they are essentially constructive, positive and serve existence. Yet all instances of ugliness, such as misguidance, sins, and calamities originate and serve non-existence and destruction. Even if they may sometimes seem to be constructive and related to existence, they are essentially negative, destructive, and both originate and lead to non-existence.

Also, it is an observable fact that the existence of something like a building requires the existence of all of its parts, while its destruction or non-existence is possible through the non-existence of one of its main parts. Furthermore, existence requires and is based on a certain cause, which we call its raison d’être (reason for being). Whereas non-existence may be based on things that originate in and lead to non-existence.

It is because of these two rules that despite the terrible, destructive actions and varieties of unbelief, misguidance, and evil which they perpetrate, those who can be considered to be devils among the humans and jinn cannot have any part in creation or the Divine authority over existence. They do not commit such evils based on a creative power, but rather commit them by causing good, positive, and constructive things to be neglected and left undone. For anything evil, which is destruction, does not require existence or inventive power. Rather, something originating in non-existence or the ruin of a necessary part causes a great destruction or evil.38

Since the Zoroastrians could not grasp this subtle truth, they attributed real existence to evil, which they regarded  as unbefitting for God, and invented the doctrine that there is a creator of good, called Yazdan, and a creator of evil, called Ahriman. However, the imaginary god of evil they called Ahriman is Satan, who causes evil by, out of his particular free will, always doing evil, which has and can have no part in the act of creation.

So, O believers! Your most important weapon against this terrible destruction of the devils and the greatest equipment for repair is imploring

God for forgiveness and seeking refuge in God by saying, “I seek refuge in God from Satan, eternally rejected (from God’s Mercy).” And your stronghold is the elevated Sunna of the Prophet, upon him be peace and blessings.

Bediuzzaman Said Nursi

38 God Almighty always wills and does good either in itself or on account of its results; He manifests all His Attributes and Names to create good. But humanity, either by its essential nature changing from good to evil, or by neglecting to do what should be done in order to be able to receive the good that is sent by God, or doing something which will annul any of the good, positive manifestations of God, makes that good evil for itself. (Tr.)