Author: Abu Ayesha
Earthquake from the Perspective of Islam and a Critique of the Objectors’ Doubts (Part Five)
Earthquake: Punishment or Mercy?
As discussed in the previous section regarding the incident of the earthquake during the caliphate of Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) — one may ask:
What sins could possibly have existed in Madinah al-Munawwarah at that time that caused such an event to occur?
Did people there have wine shops or engage in prostitution?
Were there gambling houses or other such corrupt places?
Was polytheism, innovation, or grave worship common among them?
Which of these actually existed? (1)
Al-Muhallab (MABH) said: “The occurrence of earthquakes and other such signs are warnings from Allah the Exalted to the people of the earth, just as He Himself said: ‘وما نرسل بالآیات إلا تخویفا’(2) Translation: We do not send the signs except as a means of frightening (them).
Fear and warning through these signs occur when people commit sins openly and publicly.”
Then he mentioned the story of Umar (MABH), which was mentioned earlier, and said: “Umar (MABH) feared that he too might be punished along with them.” (3)
Ka‘b (MABH) said: “An earthquake occurs in the land when sins are committed therein; and the earth trembles out of fear of Allah the Exalted so that the Lord of all worlds becomes aware of it.” (4)
Ibn Taymiyyah (MABH) said: “Earthquakes are among the signs through which Allah the Exalted frightens His servants — just as He warns them by means of the eclipse of the sun and other signs.
Every event has its causes and its wisdom, and earthquakes are among those signs by which Allah the Exalted frightens His servants; and that is precisely due to this divine wisdom.” (5)
Ibn al-Qayyim (MABH) said: “The sinkings and earthquakes that occur on earth are the result of the influence of the sins committed therein.” (6)
Shaykh Yusuf al-Qaradawi (may Allah have mercy on him), after the devastating earthquake that occurred in Indonesia — in which thousands of people were killed — said in one of his Friday sermons: “Earthquakes, volcanoes, and other calamities and disasters that befall the servants of Allah are a punishment from Allah the Exalted for the destruction and ruin of the arrogant and the tyrannical; a form of discipline for the sinners and the corrupters; a warning for the heedless and the forgetful; and a test and trial for the believers.” (7)
It is narrated by Ibn Abi al-Dunya that a man once asked Lady Aishah (MABHR) about earthquakes. She replied: “When people begin to commit adultery openly and regard it as permissible, drink wine, and play music, then Allah the Exalted becomes angered in the heavens and commands the earth to turn them upside down. If they repent and return to Allah the Exalted, [the calamity is lifted]; otherwise, He will destroy them with it.”
The man said: “Is that a punishment?” She replied: “Rather, it is an admonition, a mercy, and a blessing for the believers — and a punishment, burden, and affliction for the disbelievers.” (8)
It is also narrated that Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz (MABH) sent letters to various regions within his dominion stating: “Know that earthquakes on earth are a sign of divine retribution and punishment. I command the people of every city that on such-and-such date of such-and-such month, they should go out [of the city], supplicate to Allah, and humble themselves before Him. Whoever has wealth should spend it in the way of Allah, for Allah the Exalted says: ‘قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَن تَزَكَّى * وَذَكَرَ اسْمَ رَبِّهِ فَصَلَّى (9)’ Translation: Indeed, successful is the one who purifies himself, and remembers the Name of his Lord, and prays.
And raise your hands to your Lord and supplicate: ‘رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَا أَنفُسَنَا وَإِن لَّمْ تَغْفِرْ لَنَا وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ’(10) Translation: Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers.
And also recite the supplication which Prophet Nuh (PBUH) constantly recited: ‘وَإِلَّا تَغْفِرْ لِي وَتَرْحَمْنِي أَكُن مِّنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ’(11) Translation: And unless You forgive me and have mercy upon me, I will be among the losers.
Likewise, recite the supplication of Prophet Yunus (PBUH) who said: ‘لَّا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ’(12) Translation: There is no deity worthy of worship except You. You are Glorified and Exalted! Truly, I have been among the wrongdoers.” (13)
It is narrated that Kufah once shook during the time of Abdullah ibn Mas‘ud (MABH). He said: “O people! Your Lord is calling you to abandon your sins and return to Him.” (14)
From this statement of Abdullah ibn Mas‘ud (may Allah be pleased with him) it becomes clear that the cause of earthquakes, eclipses, and other calamities that befall the servants of Allah are their sins, acts of disobedience, and their negligence toward the commands of Allah the Exalted. The remedy and cure for all of this is sincere repentance and returning to the Lord of all worlds.
In conclusion, it is obligatory upon every accountable person — whether Muslim or non-Muslim — to repent sincerely to Allah the Exalted, remain steadfast upon their religion, and abstain from every sinful act that Allah the Exalted has forbidden, such as polytheism and disobedience. By doing so, they will attain safety and deliverance from all forms of evil in this world and the Hereafter. Allah will lift every calamity and misfortune from them and bestow upon them all kinds of goodness and blessings. (15)
To be continued…
Previous Part
References:
- Dahim, Ibrahim ibn Salih, Title of the article: “Earthquakes… and the Absence of Reality”, website: Saaid Al-Fawaid.
- Surah Al-Isra, Verse 59.
- Al-‘Ayni, Badr al-Din Mahmoud ibn Ahmad, ‘Umdat al-Qari Sharh Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 7, 1421 A.H., p. 82.
- Ibn al-Qayyim, Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr, Al-Da’ wa al-Dawa’, ed. Muhammad Ajmal al-Islahi, 1429 A.H., p. 112.
- Sayings of the Salaf, website: Tariq al-Islam, published in 2023.
- Earthquakes… Their Causes and Wisdom, website: IslamWeb, published 1439 A.H.
- Hammam ‘Abd al-Ma‘boud, Title of the article: “Are Sins the Cause Behind Earthquakes?”, website: Islam Online.
- Ibn Abi al-Dunya, Abdullah ibn Muhammad, Al-‘Uqubat (Divine Punishments for Individuals, Communities, and Nations), ed. Muhammad Khayr Ramadan Yusuf, 1416 A.H., p. 29.
- Surah Al-A‘la, Verse 14.
- Surah Al-A‘raf, Verse 23.
- Surah Hud, Verse 47.
- Surah Al-Anbiya, Verse 87.
- Ibn al-Qayyim, Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr, Al-Da’ wa al-Dawa’, ed. Muhammad Ajmal al-Islahi, 1429 A.H., pp. 112–113.
- Al-Humayd, Abdul Karim ibn Salih, Al-Tafakkur wal-I‘tibar bi Ayat al-Kusuf wal-Zalazil wal-I‘sar, 1426 A.H., p. 8.
- Advice Regarding Earthquakes, the official website of His Eminence Sheikh Imam Ibn Baz (MABH), n.d.
