A brother can't reconcile disasters and hardships with Allah Ta'ala.

Answer

Undoubtedly, you, and us and all creation, including the Ambiya (alayhimus salaam) even after entering Jannat, will never be able to fathom the mysteries and wisdom of Allah Azza Wa Jal. The logical reasoning for this is quite simple. The human mind is a created entity. A created entity is finite. It has limitations. It is impossible for a created entity with finite limits to possess all-embracing comprehension of an Enity – Allah Azza Wa Jal – Who is uncreated, eternal, without limitations of any kind whatsoever. Thus, full, all-embracing comprehension of His Zaat and Sifaat will perpetually remain unfathomable to us.

The simple rational principle is that finitude cannot encompass infinitude. Thus, the human mind is incapable of comprehending the Infinite Attributes of Allah Azza Wa Jal.

We believe and rationally understand that Allah Ta'ala is Wise, and nothing can surpass His Wisdom. We observe the universe full of the effects of His wisdom. Every creation attests to His Wisdom. We observe the destruction of the earthquake and the tsunami. We observe the injustices of man towards man. We witness countless aspects of life which conflict with our created wisdom and our created attributes of mercy and kindness. All such aspects are manifestations of Divine Wisdom which is incomprehensible to us. No person can ever explain the conflict between puny man's created wisdom with its limitations and Allah's eternal Wisdom with its boundless nature.

The attempt to probe this issue leads ultimately to disbelief, hence Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) vehemently forbade the Sahaabah from probing the issue of Taqdeer. The more we delve into it, the greater the incomprehensibility. The ultimate consequence of pursuing this subject is the denial of the very existence of The Creator.

While the rule for not believing in Islam is everlasting perdition in the Fire, no one has the right to say that every non-Muslim is sure to go to Hell. Allah Ta'ala will judge His creatures. But we have to believe that He is Just, and that whatever decision He shall make regarding His creatures will be just and subject to His wisdom. We are thus assured that whatever abode Allah Ta'ala chooses for His servants and creatures will be just and wise. We need not be perturbed with such issues over which we have absolutely no control. The belief in Allah's Attributes of Justice, Wisdom and Mercy is adequate to allay all fears regarding any injustice being committed by Him.

The examples of misery which you have enumerated are realities, and these are created by Allah Azza Wa Jal. Why? We do not know, and no one will know, and no one will fully understand.

The pretence by any one to explain logically, that is in terms of our understanding, all the issues mentioned by you, is a massive deception. The fact to accept and to understand and which is rationally understandable is that we just do not know and cannot know because of the finitude of our created mind.

Malevolence is not an attribute of Allah Azza Wa Jalah. Malevolence is the effect of injustice and emotionalism. These do not exist in Allah Ta'ala. The hardships with which He afflicts His creation are subject to His Wisdom, not the effects of emotion and injustice.

Despondency is the consequence of attempting to give unbridled freedom to the intellect – to pursue what is humanly incomprehensible. This attempt is a dangerous satanic ploy to enmesh the Mu'min in the tentacles of disbelief. May Allah Ta'ala keep our Imaan intact.