Author: Abu Ayesha
Earthquake from the Perspective of Islam and a Critique of the Objectors’ Doubts (Part 11)
Preface:
At times, a person’s ignorance, heedlessness, and lack of awareness about his Lord and His creations on earth cause him to avoid acknowledging certain clear and evident matters. Instead of attributing them to Allah, the Lord of all worlds, he attributes them to “nature.” Occasionally, such a person raises questions that seem unworthy of a rational and wise human being; questions that can only arise from an ignorant or stubborn person. In this section of the research, we will address some of these important issues to understand why people attribute the actions of Allah Almighty to others. Is this correct or not?
One of the objections raised by critics regarding earthquakes is: “Why do earthquakes occur in seas, plains, and deserts?”
It is possible that Allah Almighty causes volcanoes and earthquakes to occur in the seas and deserts, and as a result, some of His other creatures, whether marine or terrestrial, may perish or suffer. However, a true believer, with his faith in Allah and his knowledge and recognition of his Lord, submits to the divine will and knows that Allah has wisdom in all His actions, even if we are unaware of it. Indeed, creation belongs to Him, ownership belongs to Him, and He is All-Knowing, All-Wise, and fully aware of everything.
Allah Almighty says: “أَلا يَعْلَمُ مَنْ خَلَقَ وَهُوَ اللَّطِيفُ الْخَبِيرُ” [1] Translation: Does He who created not know? And He is the Subtle, the All-Aware.
The believer’s faith increases through returning to Allah Almighty, attaching his heart to Him, and seeking forgiveness and repentance before Him. For a believer knows with certainty that the entire universe and existence are under the command and control of Allah Almighty, and nothing happens except by His permission, will, knowledge, and encompassing power.
However, the disbeliever and the hypocrite, due to their ignorance, foolishness, and distance from Allah, show disrespect toward the All-Knowing, All-Aware, and Most Merciful Creator. They imagine that things occur without the will of Allah Almighty; and all of this is disbelief in Allah and contradicts faith. [2]
Allah Almighty says: “یَعْلَمُ مَا یَلِجُ فِی الْأَرْضِ وَمَا یَخْرُجُ مِنْهَا وَمَا یَنزِلُ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ وَمَا یَعْرُجُ فِیهَا وَهُوَ الرَّحِیمُ الْغَفُورُ” [3] Translation: He knows whatever enters into the earth and whatever comes out of it, and whatever descends from the sky and whatever ascends into it, and He is the Most Merciful, the Oft-Forgiving.
In another verse, the Lord of all worlds says: “وَعِندَهُ مَفَاتِحُ الْغَیْبِ لَا یَعْلَمُهَا إِلَّا هُوَ وَیَعْلَمُ مَا فِی الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ وَمَا تَسْقُطُ مِن وَرَقَةٍ إِلَّا یَعْلَمُهَا وَلَا حَبَّةٍ فِی ظُلُمَاتِ الْأَرْضِ وَلَا رَطْبٍ وَلَا یَابِسٍ إِلَّا فِی كِتَابٍ مُّبِینٍ”[4] Translation: And with Him are the keys of the unseen; none knows them except Him. And He knows what is in the land and the sea. Not a leaf falls but that He knows it, nor a grain within the darknesses of the earth, nor anything moist or dry, but it is [written] in a clear record.
Allah Almighty also says: “وَمَا مِنْ غَائِبَةٍ فِي السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِ إِلَّا فِي كِتَابٍ مُّبِینٍ”[5] Translation: And there is nothing hidden in the heaven and the earth except that it is [recorded] in a clear Book.
Allah Almighty says in another verse: “مَا أَصَابَ مِن مُّصِيبَةٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي أَنفُسِكُمْ إِلَّا فِي كِتَابٍ مِّن قَبْلِ أَن نَّبْرَأَهَا إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى اللَّهِ يَسِيرٌ”[6] Translation: No calamity befalls on the earth or within yourselves except that it is inscribed in a Book before We bring it into being indeed, that is easy for Allah.) [Surah Al-Hadid: 22]
Objection:
Some people raise this objection, saying: “If earthquakes, storms, and similar disasters are a form of punishment through which Allah Almighty punishes disbelievers and sinners, then why do such events occur in uninhabited areas, where no people live, such as deserted lands and the seas?”
Response to the Objection:
This objection is raised by those who assume that such events are solely manifestations of divine punishment and wrath; while in fact, this is not the case. Punishment is only one aspect of the divine wisdom for which Allah Almighty has created such phenomena.
To clarify the matter:
The entire earth, both its dry and wet parts, is one connected body in which Allah Almighty has placed both fluid and solid materials. Likewise, within the earth exist substances that are extremely hot and others that are intensely cold, and the structure of this body cannot exist without this combination, just as the human body itself contains all these states.
Changes such as heat and cold, softness and hardness, also occur on and beneath the surface of the earth. These variations require a balancing mechanism to maintain stability, and by the permission and will of Allah Almighty; earthquakes occur as part of that system of balance.[7]
Furthermore, in the trembling and movement of the earth, there are other profound wisdoms that scholars and researchers have mentioned in their books; and for now, this explanation suffices.
To be continued…
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References:
- Surah Al-Mulk, verse 14.
- Al-‘Aqil, Aqil bin Abdullah, Shubuhāt ḥawl az-zalāzil wal-barākīn wal-kawārith (Doubts Regarding Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Disasters), 1431 A.H., p. 12.
- Surah Saba, verse 2.
- Surah Al-An‘am, verse 59.
- Surah An-Naml, verse 75.
- Surah Al-Hadid, verse 22.
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Al-Humayd, Abdul Karim bin Saleh, At-tafakkur wal-i‘tibār bi-āyāt al-kusūf waz-zalāzil wal-i‘sār (Reflection and Contemplation on the Signs of Eclipses, Earthquakes, and Storms), 1426 A.H., p. 123.
