IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE DERIVE LESSONS FROM ALL THESE NATURAL DISASTERS – DIVINE CHASTISEMENT IS THE CONSEQUENCE OF OUR SINS
Allah Ta’ala states: “And, We apprehended (grabbed hold of) everyone (of the transgressors) on account of their sins. Thus, from among them were those against whom We sent the violent storm (hurricane, tornado, cyclone, showering of stones). Among them were those whom the Saihah (Terrible Scream) seized. Among them were those whom We caused the earth to swallow (by earthquakes). Among them were those whom We drowned (in great floods and tsunamis).” [Surah Ankaboot, Aayat 40]
Many Qur’aanic Aayaat and Ahaadeeth categorically state that natural disasters are Allah’s Athaab (Punishment) for communities who have reached the point of no return in their flagrant treachery and transgression. When man’s transgression exceeds all bounds, Allah Ta’ala unleashes some of His forces of Punishment. While earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, hurricanes, etc. had destroyed great civilizations and their cities in bygone eras, these forms of Divine Chastisement will be on the increase as we approach the confines of Qiyaamah.
May Allah Ta’ala assist all those who have been ravaged by natural disasters and may Allah Ta’ala protect us from His Athaab. Aameen.
THE DECREE OF ALLAH – NOTHING CAN THWART IT
Understand well that in all the upheavals overtaking us, there is Divine purpose and direction. All the upheavals are from the Taqdeer of Allah Ta’ala. Everything, down to the most infinitesimal particle acts and happens by His Command. Our focus should not be diverted from Allah Ta’ala, The Actual Cause. The Qur’aan and Ahaadeeth conspicuously spell out the earthly or secondary cause for these upheavals. Remember that even a leaf does not drop without the Command of Allah Ta’ala as stated with clarity in the Qur’aan Majeed:
“Not a leaf drops (from a tree), but He is aware There is not a seed in the darkness of the earth nor anything dry or moist, but, it is recorded in a Clear Book.” [Surah Al-An’aam, Aayat 59]
In the events and upheavals which occur in the universe there are no accidents. Everything, down to the most infinitesimal speck, operates in consonance with the Scheme and Decree of Allah Azza Wa Jal. A leaf which changes direction in the breeze and a leaf which drops from the tree and the movement of an insect in the bowels of the earth are all activities which occur in consequence of the direct intervention of Allah Ta’ala. The havoc and destruction wrought by earthquakes, cyclones, tornadoes, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, floods, etc. are all executed with precision to the degree and level of Divine Command.
THE ARMIES OF ALLAH AZZA WA JAL
All the forces of nature are the slaves of Allah Azza Wa Jal. They constitute His Army. The Qur’aan Majeed states: “No one knows the armies of your Rabb, except He.” [Surah Mud-dath-thir, Aayat 31]
The variety of natural disasters – hurricanes, tornadoes, cyclones, wild raging fires, floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, etc. – occur by the Command of Allah Azza Wa Jal. Nothing is accidental. The Athaab, in which ever form it is unleashed, accomplishes its task meticulously as decreed. Floods and calamities are among the “Armies” of Allah Azza Wa Jal. He sends His Army against the transgressors when their disobedience and transgression has exceeded all bounds of redemption.
TAKE LESSON – THE WRITING IS ON THE WALL
These natural disasters which are Divine Punishments are signs for Muslims for reflection and deriving lesson. The Qur’aan Majeed states: “And, in the earth are signs for people of firm faith, and (even) in yourselves (are signs), What! Do you not heed (and derive lesson).” [Surah Zaariyaat, Aayaat 21 and 22] As for Muslims, one form of Divine Punishment is the imposition of kuffaar domination. Natural disasters too are forms of Allah’s Athaab for us. Muslims should heed what is happening in the world by way of Allah’s Athaab. No Muslim community will be exempted from the terrible Athaab when all bounds of the Deen have been violated.
ARE WE OVER-CONFIDENT??? CHECK OUR A’MAAL…
“What! Do the people of the town/city feel confident that Our punishment will (not) come to them at night whilst they are sleeping?
What! Do the people of the town/city feel confident that Our punishment will (not) come to them during the daytime while they are playing (amusing themselves and enjoying themselves on the beaches, casinos, brothels and stadiums – TAKE HEED O WORLD CUP LUNATICS)?
What! Are they oblivious of the Scheme (Athaab) of Allah? Only people who are losers who are oblivious of the Scheme of Allah (that His punishment will not overtake them). [Surah Al-A’raaf, Aayaat 97, 98, 99]
In South Africa, the Muslim community should not feel snug in its current state of opulence. The apparent ‘safety’ and indulgence in haraam opulence are worldly deceptions which should not cast us into deception regarding the Sunnah of Allah Azza Wa Jal. Take lesson from the plight of the Rohingya Muslims, the Syrian Muslims, the Palestinian Muslims, the Muslims in India, China, etc.
The writing on the wall is conspicuous for people of intelligence. The deluges of fisq, fujoor, bid’ah and even kufr of the Muslim masses as well as of the molvis and sheikhs portray vividly the writing on the wall. May Allah have mercy on us. Aameen
When Allah Ta’ala removes His Aafiyat (Protection), then expect all Hell to break loose. It will then be too late to wail and regret.
REALIZATION AND REFORMATION
Muslims have to wake up, abandon our lifestyle of immorality – fisq, fujoor and bid’ah, and to turn to Him with Taubah and Taa-at (Obedience). The Ulama need to speak up and engage more in Amr Bil Ma’roof Nahi Anil Munkar (enjoining good and forbidding evil) or else Allah Ta’ala will punish us and even our Duas will not be accepted. Whilst we should try our best to assist those who have been afflicted by disaster, we should not forget that we have to turn unto Allah Ta’ala, repent, abstain from all sins, seek the forgiveness of Allah and adopt the Sunnah meticulously!
Allah’s affectionate Call and Warning for all of us (especially the transgressors) is:
“And turn in repentance to your Rabb (and obedience) and submit fully unto Him (to His Shariah) before there comes to you the punishment, then you will not be aided. And follow that beautiful (Shariah and Sunnah) which have been revealed to you from your Rabb before there suddenly comes to you the Athaab whilst you do not perceive (and understand – i.e. without you even realizing).”
[Surah Zumar, Aayaat 54 & 55]
In this Aayat and in other Aayaat and in numerous Ahaadeeth, we are warned about Divine Punishment which will overtake the entire community as a consequence of our flagrant, naked and immoral misdeeds and transgressions. The Divine Punishment has innumerable forms among which some are the earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, hurricanes, uncontrollable fires, pestilence, droughts, famine, political havoc, uncontrollable crime, kuffaar domination, xenophobia attacks, etc., etc.
For more details on this topic, our website has a booklet on riots, xenophobia, etc. which is a must-read. You may also download it here: The Qur’aan and Riots
Jaalhaque 