NATURAL DISASTERS AND ISLAM
What are the causes of Natural Disasters in light of the Glorious Quran?
What type of lessons we can learn from Natural disasters?
Natural disasters are natural events caused by natural forces of the
earth, including floods, tsunamis, hurricanes, earthquakes, droughts, and
snowstorms. Natural calamities and disasters have been affecting different
portions of the earth throughout the earth's history. Science created different
fields of study relevant to natural disasters, including hydrology, seismology,
geology, and meteorology. According to science, the first notable disaster on
earth was the Lisbon Earthquake of the year 1755, but 1400 years ago in the scriptural
foundation of Islam (the Glorious Quran), Allah Almighty mentioned several
natural disasters and their reasons. So, the need of the hour is to seek
knowledge and guidance from the Glorious Quran and Hadith about every simple or
complex matter.
According to the Holy
Quran and Hadith, we can say that;
- Natural disasters are warnings from Allah Almighty to sinners
Allah Almighty does
not need the worship of any creature. He commands us to worship Him for our
benefit. It is not difficult for Allah Almighty to destroy the whole earth, but
He always warns the sinners through natural disasters on different portions of
the earth. In the Glorious Quran, Allah Almighty mentioned that;
And if Allah Almighty were to punish
men for that which they earned, He would not leave a moving (living) creature
on the surface of the earth, but He gives them respite to an appointed term,
and when their term comes, then verily, Allah is Ever All-Seer of His slaves.
(Surah Al-Fatir: 45)
2. Natural disasters are punishment for disbelievers or who cross Allah Almighty's limits
It has been proved
from the history of natural disasters in the Holy Quran that immoral acts can
cause Allah Almighty's punishment in the temporary life of the earth. For
example;
وَمَآ أَصَٰبَكُم مِّن مُّصِيبَةٖ فَبِمَا كَسَبَتۡ أَيۡدِيكُمۡ
وَيَعۡفُواْ عَن كَثِيرٖ
And whatever misfortune befalls you,
it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much.
(Ash-Shura:30)
3. Natural disasters are test for Believers
Allah Almighty
mentioned in the Glorious Quran that this life is the test for human beings.
This life cannot be a paradise for a reason. It cannot easy always for a
reason. Unfortunately, some of us forget the meaning of life and start
complaining to Allah Almighty. Allah Almighty made this life temporary and
neither of its good things is eternal nor the bad things are forever. These are
the part of our test and those who will pass the test will get good life
hereafter.
Allah Almighty
mentioned in the Holy Quran;
كُلُّ نَفۡسٖ ذَآئِقَةُ ٱلۡمَوۡتِۗ وَنَبۡلُوكُم بِٱلشَّرِّ وَٱلۡخَيۡرِ
فِتۡنَةٗۖ وَإِلَيۡنَا تُرۡجَعُونَ
"Every soul will taste death.
And We test you with evil and with good as a trial, and to Us, you will be
returned" (Surah Al-Anbiya: 35).
Examples from human history
Warning and punishment for Pharaoh
Pharaoh was
insubordinate to Allah Almighty and refused the signs brought by Prophet Musa
(A.S). He was warned by Allah Almighty from time to time but he did not improve
himself. As a result, he was finally grabbed by Allah Almighty and drowned.
Punishment for The Tribe of Prophet Noah
(A.S)
The Tribe of
Prophet Noah (A.S) refused his message and practiced polytheism. As a result,
they drowned in the flood.
Allah Almighty
mentioned it in Surah Al-Qamar from verse 9 to 16;
9. The people of Noah denied before
them, and they denied Our servant and said, "A madman," and he was
repelled. 10. So he invoked his Lord, "Indeed, I am overpowered, so
help." 11. Then We opened the gates of the heaven with rain pouring down.
12. And caused the earth to burst with springs, and the waters met for a matter
already predestined. 13. And We carried him on a [construction of] planks and
nails, 14. Sailing under Our observation as reward for he who had been denied 16. And how [severe] were My punishment and
warning.
Therefore, Muslims
have to be strong and careful about their actions. If people around them are
facing any Natural disaster, it can be a kind of test for them. They should
help them. Sometimes Allah Almighty gives us answers when we forget Him and
start believing on ourselves more than Him. It can be one of the side effects of our
heedlessness to Allah Almighty’s limits that we tell ourselves we are so
powerful and can do anything. Although it is correct humanity have been blessed
with great abilities to modify the world, Satan (the biggest enemy of man) can
use this to mislead and deceive people into thinking they are not in need of
anyone or anything, even Allah Almighty. Disasters remind us in an instant that
this idea is foolish and only leads people down a dark path. No dear reader, we
are not all-powerful, only Allah Almighty is All- Powerful. We are the creation
of The All-Powerful and are His slaves. When we live our lives with this
understanding, we are humble in our power and use the gifts we are given from
Him to make the world a better place, not to destroy it.