Islamic Theodicy Vs Existential Absurdity: A Literary-Discursive Study of Suffering and Divine Silence in Contemporary Fiction

Abstract

The question of suffering and the divine silence has long been perceived as a central concern in both theological and modern literature. This study aims to explore the abiding connection of both Islamic theodicy, which highlights suffering within a divine moral order, and existential absurdity that views suffering as primary evidence of an indifferent universe. Thus, this research incorporates a literary-discursive approach to examine how contemporary fiction in modern literature negotiates with the contrasting paradigms of human suffering, silence, and faith. Furthermore, this article draws upon the Islamic theological perspectives of suffering, patience (sabr), and divine wisdom that juxtapose with existentialist interpretations and absurdity as the divine perceived intervention. Through close textual analysis of selected contemporary fiction, the research investigates how characters confront trauma, silence, suffering, and injustice while grappling with questions of divine justice and silence. The study further argues that modern literature is a discursive space where modern and theological frameworks intersect, presenting a mutually inclusive space for characters that reimagined divine justice and existential absurdity. They not only offered a nuanced insight into human research for meaning through suffering and hardships, but they also redefined faith, skepticism, and moral resilience.