What to do at the time of Natural Catastrophes
Everyone is aware of the devastation caused by the recent earthquake in
the Indian Ocean. According to reports over 125,000 people have lost their
lives, hundreds of thousands have lost their relatives, entire communities have
been wiped out and countless buildings and properties have been destroyed. Over
a million people have been left homeless, having lost everything they once
owned, now living under open skies with nothing to eat and cover themselves
with. And the death toll may rise further as the spread of disease is very
likely to occur if adequate assistance is not provided in time.
When such calamities strike, one often ponders over ones role and
responsibility, as a human being and as a Muslim. It is unfortunate that for
most of us, it takes such calamities to make us reflect on the Power and lofty
Attributes of Allah ta'aalaa. Rather than expressing shallow sorrow and a
momentary shock, there are a few points that we need to reflect and act upon,
so that events like these can cause us to become better Muslims for the rest of
our lives:
1. Allah ta'aalaa is the Hãkim (The Supreme Ruler) and the Hakeem (The Most
Wise)
First of all, one has to reaffirm in ones mind and heart that whatever
happens, whether good or bad in appearance, is according to the Wish of Allah
ta'aalaa. Allah ta'aalaa is Hãkim i.e. He has Power over everything. Every
single particle in the whole universe is under His Control. The turning of the
leaf in the air while it is falling from the tree, to the up turning and
shaking of the earth itself, as in the case of an earthquake, everything is in
His Absolute Control. The commands, wishes and controls of everyone else are
subjugated to His Command and Governance. The varied circumstances that one
observes or experiences in ones life are also in His total Control.
There are many incidents and events in a persons life, during which one
hopes for a positive outcome through worldly means e.g. when a relative is
seriously ill we can hope for recovery by consulting a specialist, along with
our belief that only that will happen which Allah ta'aalaa has ordained.
Nevertheless we take the help of worldly means to satisfy ourselves and try to
rectify the situation to the best of our ability.
However, when faced with natural disasters like storms, earthquakes and floods,
there is no hope of any worldly means which we can employ to circumvent,
overcome or prevent re-occurrence of such situations. Such natural disasters
are entirely in the Control of Almighty Allah and we are forced to acknowledge
that. Indeed as Muslims we should never have disregarded and ignored the
Absolute Power of Allah ta'aalaa and it should have been reflected upon in our
day to day actions and deeds.
However, it is comforting to know that Allah ta'aalaa is not only the Hãkim
(The Supreme Commander) but He is also the Hakeem (The Most Wise). Allah
ta'aalaa's Governance of the universe is unlike that of worldly rulers. His
Control and Governance is full of Supreme Wisdom and Divine Justice. Hence even
in calamities, such as this earthquake, there is the hidden Wisdom of the
Almighty, which may not be apparent to our physical eyes.
2. Turn Towards Allah ta'aalaa in Repentance
Every person, during such times should turn towards Allah ta'aalaa with
humbleness, faith and genuine repentance. According to the Shareeah, common
and open disobedience of Allah ta'aalaa is one of the many reasons for the
cause of calamities like earthquakes. When the land is overloaded with the
disobedience of Allah ta'aalaa, earthquakes from beneath and violent storms
from above are commonplace. There are quite a few scientific explanations for
earthquakes and tsunamis, however the underlying facts point towards how they
happen and not why they happen. The answer to why and when and even to
how, in reality, remains with Allah ta'aalaa. An answer to why has been
revealed in the Qurãn:
(Corruption and) Mischief has appeared on land and sea because of what the
hands of men have earned, that He (Allah) may give them a taste of some of
their deeds in order that they may turn back (from evil). (30:41)
Incidents like these are, as it were, wakeup alarm calls from Allah
ta'aalaa. Allah ta'aalaa in His Infinite Mercy is jolting us through such
incidents, so that we may mend our ways and reflect on our transgressions and
as a result rectify ourselves before it is too late. Allah ta'aalaa has
revealed to his beloved Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam, that as long as
this Ummah continues to repent for their wrong-doings, He will not punish them
through calamities. Incidents like these should not be viewed with some
momentary sympathy or investigated out of curiosity, but treated strictly as a
reminder to wake up and reflect on our lives of disobedience. The very Allah
who has the Power to cause an earthquake in the watery depths of the Indian
Ocean also has the Power to cause any other catastrophe here, in this very
city, in the very vicinity of our homes.
Hence it is absolutely essential for Muslims, not just from the affected
regions, but from all over the world, to turn towards Allah ta'aalaa. They must
direct all their attention towards Him and reflect on their lives to find out
where the Commands of Allah ta'aalaa are being violated, then sincerely repent
and resolve to adorn their future lives with taqwã, abstain from the
disobedience of Allah ta'aalaa, and observe His Commands.
3. Pray for the Afflicted
Our beloved Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam has commanded us to support and
help the victims of calamities, whether they be Muslims or otherwise. The best
and the most valuable support and help is to make duã i.e. sincere prayers for
the wellbeing of the victims. Duã is a very powerful and potent means, which
is available to each and every one of us, the one with worldly resources as
well as the one without. Hence one should sincerely pray for the well being of
the victims. One should pray that Allah ta'aalaa gives them strength, patience
and comfort and that He protects and guides them through these critical times
and provides rapid recovery from their physical, mental and spiritual wounds.
Only Allah ta'aalaa has the ability to provide the things asked for in the
above prayers. No amount of worldly means will provide for the loss that has
been suffered by the victims.
It is difficult to comprehend or empathise with the situation of the victims.
Scores of them have death hovering over their heads while their dead family
members lie beside them. Thousands of dead bodies lie in the water piled up
like logs unable to receive a proper burial. Thousands of people have lost
their sons and daughters and thousands of young children have become orphans.
Only prayers will help those people. So take out some time from listening to
the news, reading newspaper reports and chatting about the events and bow down
to Allah ta'aalaa, and pray sincerely and earnestly (after making repentance)
for the victims of the calamity. The victims certainly deserve our prayers, to
say the least. It is their right over the entire Muslim community.
It is also worth mentioning that it will be a gross transgression for anyone to
forget their own deeds and start judging the victims, claiming their misdeeds
to be the reason for the calamity. We are in no position to do that. Besides,
this will be tantamount to trying to guess the Hikmah (Wisdom) of Allah!
Therefore we should refrain from uttering such words.
4. Donate Generously
For people far from the afflicted region, the next best thing that they can do
to help and support is to provide financial and material help. The victims have
lost everything, their homes and the shelter above their heads, their entire
belongings and their livelihoods. There is an immediate need to provide shelter
(as a protection from the cold nights), food and clothing. There is also a dire
need to provide them with medication and other medical accessories and supply
them with clean water and sanitation.
Alhamdulillah, Allah ta'aalaa has given us abundantly, more than we need. We do
not have to sacrifice our daily food or clothing in order to donate towards the
cause. I request all my brothers and sisters to reflect upon the material
blessings that Allah ta'aalaa has bestowed upon us, despite our not being
deserving of them, and donate generously for the victims of this calamity.
There are people out there, among the victims, who, until yesterday, were the
patrons of or contributors towards charities themselves, and had donated
profusely. Now, having lost everything, they are in need of charity themselves.
Allah ta'aalaa will inshãallah look favourably upon our generosity and remove
future calamities awaiting to befall us. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam
has mentioned:
Truly sadaqah extinguishes the Wrath of Allah and saves from an evil death.
(Tirmidhi)
So, as human beings, and more so as Muslims, we should not let this suffering
continue without providing help and support according to our individual
capabilities. Do not wait for your Zakãh to become due to make a donation. The
need of the situation demands that we donate everything that is in our
possession, even if that means undergoing hardships ourselves. However, since
Allah ta'aalaa has blessed us with adequate wealth we know that we can donate
sufficiently without having to undergo such troubles. We should spend
abundantly and generously, as generously as Allah ta'aalaa has provided for us.
Remember, whatever we will spend, we will do so from that which Allah ta'aalaa
has given us. It is His Money we will be spending to relieve His Creation. The
Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said:
All creatures are the dependants of Allah. The most beloved to Allah from all
Creation is he who treats His dependants the best. (Bayhaqi)
Therefore give as much as you can. This is not a time to wait for someone to
come and knock at your door. Go out looking for reliable organizations and
charities with correct channels, so that your money reaches the genuine victims
and fulfills their needs.
May Allah ta'aalaa give us the guidance to learn a lesson from such calamities
and grant us the resolve to change our lives for the better. May Allah ta'aalaa
also give us the tawfeeq to pray for the victims and to donate generously.
Ameen.
by Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat
Courtesy: Islamic Dawah Academy - UK
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