The question may be asked: If man is so capable of counter-acting evil, why is there so much evil in the world? Or, why is there more evil than good in the world?

I answered this question before on another occasion. But during the last few days, about half a dozen different people from different places have put this question to me again. It is quite strange that the same question should be raised by so many people at once and the same time. But let me proceed to answer the question.

The question is: Can we say that natural man is good? We must remember that God has endowed man with all sorts of capabilities and has also endowed him with the freedom and the discretion to use them in a good or bad way. The parting of the ways is shown to him and then he is left free to act. Says the Holy Quran:

We have shown him the Way, whether he be grateful or ungrateful. (76:4)