the blessings of natural disasters

8/13/2019 The Blessings of Natural Disasters

1/9

The true nature of Natural Disasters

Tahseen Abu Djihad KramerPage 1

The blessings of Natural Disasters

The title of this lecture is somewhat controversial.

The increasing number of natural disasters over the last decades most people perceived

more as calamities or catastrophes and not so much as blessings.

Not only that natural disasters devastate the lands but thousands lose their lives, whole

families are whipped out and even more families lose everything they own, their livelihood,

in short the situation of whole nations is reshaped by natural disasters within minutes.

Modern medias share the images of the events instantly with the whole world and scores of

scientists go head over heels immediately to explain the magnitude of this disaster, what

exactly happened, why it happened and more important why scientists cannot prevent them

from happening.

Nevertheless they offer us a lot of advice on how to prepare ourselves for the event of such

disasters, may it be a better disaster management, higher dams, earthquake proof

construction or better drainage systems.

They are the most qualified people available to deal with these calamities, the experts on

natural disasters.

No word about how to prevent theses disasters, but lots of advice on how to reduce the

consequences of natural disasters and how to make them more manageable.

They are the experts in their field, the smartest.

No, they are not smart, but foolish.

They are fools for not even trying to understand the main cause for all the calamities

inflected on mankind.

They are fools and they mislead many.

Natural disasters are nothing new; they are not a scientific phenomenon of the last 200

years.

The best known of all natural disasters, the evergreen of the natural disasters so to say, isthe flood that destroyed the people of the Prophet Nuh.

What was the reason for their destruction? Global warming? Insufficient dams? Poor

disaster Management?

Noah said:My Lord! They have disobeyed me, and followed one whose

wealth and children give him no increase but only loss. They have plotted

a mighty plot. (71:1-4)

So it was until when Our command came and the oven gushed forth

(water like fountains from the earth) (11:40)


2/9



Because of their sins they were drowned, then were made to enter the fire

and they found none to help them instead of Allah.(71:25)

For their sins they were drowned. The people of Nuh were destroyed for their disobedience

towards Allah (s.t.), for nothing else. That was and still is the main cause for all catastrophes

inflicted on mankind, and there is no helper against the decree of Allah (s.t.).

And whatever misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands

have earned. Yet he pardons much. (42:30)

There can be no doubt that disobedience towards Allah (s.t.), sinful behavior and rejecting

His guidance are the main causes for all the calamities and natural disasters that befall us

every now and then and it seems that the number and severity of these disasters is

increasing.

Corruption has appeared throughout the land and sea by [reason of] what

the hands of people have earned so He may let them taste part of [the

consequence of] what they have done that perhaps they will return [to

righteousness]. (30:41)

Of course in a superficial way scientist can help us in dealing with the consequences of such

natural disasters, but they can never ever protect us from such calamities.

The main reasons for natural disasters are the conduct of mankind and the will of Allah (s.t.).

What! Do the people of the towns then feel secure from Ourpunishmentcoming to them by night while they are asleep?

What! Do the people of the towns feel secure from Our punishment

coming to them in the morning while they play?

What! Do they feel secure from Allahs plan? But none feels secure from

Allahs plan except those who shall perish. (7:97-99)

No nation before us which rejected the guidance of Allah (s.t.) and the guidance of the

Prophets (p.b.u.them all) was spared the punishment of Allah (s.t.).

Not the people of Nuh (a.s.), not the people of Lut (a.s.), not the people of Salih (a.s.), not

the people of Firaun and definitely not the nation of the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.).

The main cause for all disasters that befall mankind is the will of Allah (s.t.) and it would be

blasphemous to attribute these disasters to any other force besides Allah.

He is the Creator of everything, the One who oversees everything and nothing happens

except by his will and his command.

It is Allah who has created seven heavens and of the earth, the like of

them. [His] command descends among them so you may know that Allah

is over all things competent and that Allah has encompassed all things inknowledge. (65:12)


3/9



Do you not know that Allah knows what is in the heaven and earth?

Indeed, that is in a Record. Indeed that, for Allah, is easy. (22:70)

It is by the command of Allah (s.t.) that disasters happen and nobody can change His

command.

No disaster strikes except by permission of Allah. And whoever believes in

Allah - He will guide his heart.

And Allah is Knowing of all things. (64:11)

Then do you feel secure that He will not cause a part of the land to

swallow you or send against you a storm of stones?

Then you would not find for yourselves an advocate. (17:68)

The flood, earthquakes, Tornados, severe storms, droughts, volcano eruptions, you name it

and it is there.

All kind of natural disasters are mentioned in the Glorious Quran to punish the disobedient.

So, is mankind doomed to endure natural disasters every now and then, helpless, subject to

the will of Allah?

Is there no way to avoid or delay the punishment of Allah (s.t)?

Are the scientists right when they claim we cannot avoid it, we can only prepare ourselves

much better to deal with the consequences of such disasters?

It seems that no nation is spared, not even the most powerful ones.

Nobody can protect himself, not from a cyclone, not from a tornado, an earthquake or a

drought.

And how many a generation before them did We destroy who were

greater than them in [striking] power and had explored throughout the

lands. Is there any place of escape?(50:36)

By that We repaid them because they disbelieved.

And do we (thus) repay except the ungrateful? (34:17)

Allah (s.t.) is not unjust, He is the most just.

He would never punish a nation for no reason at all. It is in our hands.

And Sufficient is your Lord as an All-Knower and All-Beholder of thesins ofHis slaves. (17: 16-17)

And whatever misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands

have earned. Yet he pardons much. (42:30)

What would Allah gain from your punishment if you are grateful and

believe? (4:147)

And We sent not the signs except to warn, and to make them afraid (ofdestruction). (17:59)And never would We punish until We have sent a Messenger (to givewarning). (17:15)

Allah (s.t.) is not punishing us randomly, unjust, without a chance for us to avoid hispunishment;


4/9



but the only way to avoid the punishment of Allah is through obedience and by calling

others to obey Allah (s.t.) and to obey His (s.t.) commands.

Doesnt it cross our mind that all these disasters all this destruction are just warnings by

Allah (s.t.) to change our ways?

Allah (s.t.) is trying his outmost to remind mankind of its true obligation, of what Allah (s.t.)

expects us to do:

And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me. (51:56)But

Indeed, mankind is in loss,except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advisedeach other to truth and advised each other to patience. (103:2-3)

Mankind needs to understand that we are on the wrong way; that Allah (s.t.) is not pleasedhow things are going, He (s.t.) is upset with our way of disobedience.

Corruption has appeared throughout the land and sea by [reason of] what

the hands of people have earned so He may let them taste part of [the

consequence of] what they have done that perhaps they will return [to

righteousness]. (30:41)

The chance to understand the corruption mankind is spreading on earth and the chance that

perhaps they will return to righteousnessis the blessing of natural disasters,

of all calamities that befall mankind.

That is the true blessing behind all the struggling; all the hardship people have to go through

during the times of disasters.

The blessing of a reminder that we are going astray, reminding us of our true obligation in

life and the chance to change our ways, our conduct.

And let there be [arising] from you a nation inviting to [all that is] good,enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, and those will be thesuccessful. (3:104)

So, how do we deal with disasters, with calamities the right way?

How can we prevent them from happening over and over again?

How can we invite to all that is good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong?

The first thing we need to realize is that everything is from Allah (s.t.), may it be good or bad,

and that it was decreed on us by Allah (s.t.).

We need to remind ourselves and others constantly, that Allah (s.t.) is sending all these signs

of His as a warning and as a reminder to put fear into us so that we may wake up, realize our

faults, repent and change our ways.


5/9



We cannot question the fairness or wisdom behind it or get caught in blaming Allah (s.t.) for

the loss and calamity, as many people do in the event of catastrophe.

Islam teaches us that we need to be patient and that we have to trust in the mercy of Allah

(s.t.) to offer us a second chance, to forgive us.

Not patient in a way that we just accept it, phlegmatic, without any action from our side.

Not patient in a way that we feel helpless, with no chance to change our fate.

Allah (s.t.) expects a patience from us that acknowledges the true source of all the

calamities,

that it was ordained on us by Allah (s.t.), why it was ordained on us

and that we cannot avoid the punishment of Allah (s.t.),

but that we do have a chance to avoid it in the future.

The Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) said:

Allah does not decree any matter for the believer except that it is good for him: If any blessing befalls him, he is thankful to Allah (s.t.) and that is good for

him.

If any harm comes over him, he is patient and that is also good for him.This is a bounty exclusively for the believers.

We need to show an active patience, acknowledging that it is a punishment, a trial we

brought on ourselves for misbehavior

and we have to see the chance and grab it to avoid this punishment in the future

by changing our behavior and be persistent and patient in following the right way

and calling others to it.

That is the patience Allah (s.t.) is talking about; not inactive, passive enduring and lamenting

about our fate,

but active, positive patience in Allah (s.t.), his wisdom behind all of this

and our obligation to understand the signs of Allah (s.t.) and to follow them.

And remember when your Lord proclaimed: If you give thanks (byaccepting faith and worshipping none but Allah), I will give you more (ofmy blessings);but if you are thankless (disbelievers), verily my punishment is indeedsevere. (14:7)

Every soul will taste death. Then to Us you will be returned.And those who have believed and done righteous deeds We will surelyassign to them of Paradise elevated chambers beneath which rivers flow,wherein they abide eternally.Excellent is the reward of the righteous workers who have been patientand upon their Lord rely. (29:57-59)

There is no need to discuss all the different sins people are committing, there are too many

and this problem is bigger.

Look at all the sins committed by the previous nations and you can find them in these days.

It is not about some minor sins, but about abandoning the faith of Allah (s.t.) in total.


6/9



Such is Allah, your Lord! La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to beworshipped but He), the Creator of all things.So worship Him (Alone), and He is the Wakil (Ruler, Trustee, Disposer ofaffairs, Guardian, etc.) over all things. (6:102)"It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger

have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision."(33:36)'Whatever the Prophet gives you accept it and whatever he forbids yourefrain from it.' (59:7)'Whoever obeys the Prophet obeys Allah.' (4:80)

How many Nations are left that truly follow the guidance of Allah (s.t.)?

How many Nations are left that truly follow the teachings of Tawhid, accepting Allah (s.t.) as

the supreme power in all their affairs?

How many Nations are left that truly follow the signs of Allah (s.t.) the law he ordained on

mankind, the sharia?How many Nations, Muslim and Non Muslim alike, choose disbelieve over belief,

Taghut over Tawhid?

And they were covered with humiliation and poverty and returned withanger from Allah [upon them].That was because they [repeatedly] disbelieved in the signs of Allah andkilled the prophets without right.That was because they disobeyed and were [habitually] transgressing.(2:61)

There is no reason for us to be surprised by natural disasters, by the reminders and signs of

our Lord Allah (s.t.).

We were given the warning, we ignored it and we brought it on ourselves.

We should not complain at all, but regret and try to change our ways.

Allah (s.t.) made it very clear in his book, the Glorious Quran what he expects from the

believers, he gave us very clear instructions:

The believing men and believing women are allies of one another.They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and establish prayerand give zakah and obey Allah and His Messenger.Those - Allah will have mercy upon them. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Mightand Wise. (9:71)

The moment we stop calling one another to whatever is good and refraining from whatever

is wrong, doesnt matter if it is in our family, our neighborhood or in a whole state

Immorality and disobedience towards Allah (s.t.) will become a widespread disease.

If there is no guiding call, no control, no punishment, people will start to follow their whims

and desires and they will be proud of their misbehavior and not afraid to commit all kind of

evil and shirk.

They are not afraid any longer of committing haram, khufr and shirk.

It is normal these days to see all this widespread and in public.

People are not even ashamed anymore of public indecency and immorality.

Alcohol, sina, prostitution, riba, corruption, theft, oppression and many other things are

practiced widespread in public and people are proud of it.


7/9



Today it is not a sin anymore, it is just business.

Today it is not a sin anymore, it is self determined sexuality.

Today it is not a sin anymore; it is fashion and having fun.

But Allah has warned us that the punishment would not be restricted to those who commit

these evil actions, but that it might inflict those who ignore and tolerate it:

And fear a trial which will not strike those who have wronged among youexclusively,and know that Allah is severe in punishment. (8:26)

Cursed were those who disbelieved among the Children of Israel by thetongue of David and of Jesus, the son of Mary.That was because they disobeyed and [habitually] transgressed.They used not to prevent one another from wrongdoing that they did.How wretched was that which they were doing.

You see many of them becoming allies of those who disbelieved.How wretched is that which they have put forth for themselves in thatAllah has become angry with them, and in the punishment they will abideeternally. (5:78-80)

It is quite clear that just changing our personal ways is not enough, it is just a starting point.

Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that themessenger of Allah said,"Whoever amongst you sees an evil, he must change it with his hand; ifhe is unable to do so, then with his tongue; and if he is unable to do so,

then with his heart; and that is the weakest form of Faith".(Reported in Sahih Muslim).

After comforting the people in their tough situation in disaster areas, making sure that their

basic human needs, like water, food, shelter, medical attention are taken care of,

it is our obligation to remind them of their Creator, the way he has ordained for us and invite

them to all that is good.

Otherwise all the effort would be in vain, useless.

Where is the benefit of helping people without warning them that this may occure again.

If people do not understand why they were punished, how can they change, how can they

save themselves?

This is the obligation of the believers, to remind people of the way of Allah.

It is not the best way of disaster management to show people how to built stronger dams,

how to built more sufficient drainage systems

or how to drill deeper dwells in case of a drought.

And We have sent the fertilizing winds and sent down water from the skyand given you drink from it. And you are not its guardians. (15:22)Have those who disbelieved not considered that We made from waterevery living thing? Then will they not believe? (21:30)Say, "Have you considered: if your water was to become sunken [into theearth], then who could bring you flowing water?" (67:30)


8/9



Allah made it very clear to us in these short verses of the Quran that all our approaches to

cope with natural disasters is in vain as long as we do not accept the reality of life:

That Allah (s.t.) is our Creator, our Lord and that we need to obey him.

The only way to deal with any kind of disaster is by repenting to Allah (s.t.), to change our

ways and to ask those around us to change their ways.

Be a reminder, be a Warner, invite people to the straight path; that is the best way to helpthem for the future and to help ourselves.

Whenever the punishment of Allah (s.t.) occurs, all the sudden and from a side we did not

expect, than it is too late.

Say, "O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [bysinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah .

Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, theMerciful."

And return [in repentance] to your Lord and submit to Him before thepunishment comes upon you; then you will not be helped.

And follow the best of what was revealed to you from your Lord before thepunishment comes upon you suddenly while you do not perceive,

Lest a soul should say, "Oh [how great is] my regret over what Ineglected in regard to Allah and that I was among the mockers."(39:53-55)

But yes, there had come to you My verses, but you denied them and werearrogant, and you were among the disbelievers. (39:59)


9/9



the blessings of natural disasters

Documents