HEARING ABOUT THESE DISASTERS

Recent hurricanes and earthquakes are reported to have been most devastating within the last decades. These natural disasters become the means for the death of a great number of human beings. So many assets, possessions and structures are destroyed. They are the result of deserting many cities and villages. Their inhabitants are left in a state without shelter and wealth. They have nothing to wear nor spread, neither food nor drink. Many a times the international aid, assistance, and relief organizations are unable to fulfill their needs. Whenever help arrives, another country is inflicted with a natural disaster more severe than the previous.

Is this not a reminder that tells us about the events, which took place with the previous nations regarding which Allah the Almighty relates for us in the Holy Quran, so that we may take heed and be advised. Does it not remind us about the disastrous events that came into existence for the nation of the prophet Nuh (p.b.u.h.) i.e. the floods which blanketed the earth and climbed to the mountain peaks? Does it not bring the memories of what the nation of Aad experienced. Are these not a reminder of those events, which were brought to the nation of Firaun and his army wherein Allah drowned them in the river within seconds? Do they not remind us of the nation of Saba?

OUR DUTIES IN SUCH EVENTS

There are various duties upon us in these types of disasters and natural catastrophes. Firstly, that we realize and understand the power of Allah by means of these events. We should fear that it is possible for those inflictions to approach us as it did to them. Thus, we repent in Allah’s court from our evils, sin and wrongdoings. It is very sad to see that many of us regard these as natural happenings and result of nature, thus it does not have an effect on the mind or heart. And there is no change in one’s life as Allah mentions in the Holy Book: “And how many a sign in the heavens and the earth they pass by, while they are averse therefrom” (Surah Yusuf v.105)

ACKNOWLEDGING THE POWER OF ALLAH

 

Verily the associating of these incidents onl y towards nature, natural happenings, astronomical beliefs and scientific facts, is in reality rejection of Allah. This is why we find a hadith narrated by the two great Imams, Bukhari and Muslim on the authority of Zaid Ibn Khalid (r.a.) who says: The prophet of Allah (p.b.u.h.) lead the fajr prayer for us in Hudaibiyyah upon the wetness of the skies: (i.e. It had rained the night before) After He (p.b.u.h.) had completed the prayer He addressed the people and stated that “ Do you realize what your Lord has said? They answered that Allah and His prophet know best! Thus He (p.b.u.h.) stated “My servants start the day with belief in me and some rejecting me, as for those who say that it rained due to the mercy and choice of Allah, he/she has belief in Me and rejects the stars (and astronomical beliefs & myths), then there are those who claim to say that it rained due to the falling(orbit) of such and such (star etc.), he/she has denied meand has belief in the stars.” (Bukhari and Muslim).

There is clear evidence in the aboverelated hadith that the showering of the rains and the events of natural disasters are from Allah. He is the one who creates them and releases them. Thus when one solely attributes these events to nature and astronomical or scientific facts, then one is in state with regards to his belief in Allah.

TAKING HEED FROM THESE EVENTS

Secondly, it is necessary that we believe that such happenings come to existence by Allah to awaken and warn mankind as Allah Himself speaks:

“Mischief /Discord has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned (by oppression and evil deeds), that He (Allah) may make them taste a part of that which they have done, in order that they may return (by repenting to Allah, and begging His Pardon)." (Surah Rum verse 41)

HELPING THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN INFLICTED

Thirdly, it is most important that we help all those (muslim & non muslim) who have been inflicted with thesedisasters, thus we send for them such aid which will lighten their difficulties and hardships. This, in reality is a golden opportunity for those of generosity and favor that they sent forth for themselves what they will find by Allah as betterment and unimagined returns.

LEARNING LESSONS AND CHANGING OUR LIVES

Lastly, it is the duty of every believer to take head and learn a lesson from these heart pounding incidents, and repent from all sin, be grateful to Allah and recognize all the blessings which He has bestowed us with from the deepest recesses of our hearts and by proclaiming them through the spending of these blessings in the obedience of Allah. And not being extravagant and wasteful in them. May Allah bless us with the true understanding and save us from all types of disasters and help those who have been inflicted