Author: Abu Ayesha
Earthquake from the Perspective of Islam and a Critique of the Objectors’ Doubts (Part 13)
The Problem of Unawareness Regarding the Life of the Hereafter
The Being who created the earth and everything within it and placed humankind upon it, has informed—truthfully, seriously, and without any doubt—that human existence on this earth is a very brief and limited stage before the Lord of the Worlds. It is a stage in which human beings undergo tests and trials in this insignificant worldly life that is filled with pain, sorrow, hardship, conflict, jealousy, and the influence of devils. Every person completes the short period that has been decreed for them by the Lord of the Worlds, then they die and are transferred to another realm—one completely different from this earthly abode. It is a realm in which its inhabitants remain alive as long as Allah wills. That realm is the eternal and everlasting abode where death does not approach anyone. It is the abode of blessings, honor, and Paradise through which Allah rewards and honors His obedient servants and those who successfully pass the test of worldly life. Or it is an abode of humiliation, disgrace, and punishment for those who fail the test of this world, disobey their Lord, follow their desires, and are deceived and misguided by Satan. [1]
Allah the Exalted says: “لا یغرنك تقلب الذین کفروا في البلاد متاع قلیل ثم مأواهم جهنم وبئس المهاد لکن الذین اتقوا ربهم لهم جنات تجری من تحتها الأنهار خالدین فیها نزلا من عندالله وما عندالله خیر للأبرار”[2] Translation: “Let not the movement (prosperity and travel) of those who disbelieve throughout the land deceive you. It is but a small enjoyment, then their refuge is Hell—what an evil resting place. But those who fear their Lord will have gardens beneath which rivers flow; they will remain therein forever. This is hospitality from Allah, and what is with Allah is better for the righteous.”
Allah the Exalted says: “اعلموا أنما الحیاة الدنیا لعب ولهو وزینة وتفاخر بینکم وتکاثر في الأموال والأولاد کمثل غیث أعجب الکفار نباته ثم یهیج فتراه مصفرا ثم یکون حطاما وفي الأخرة عذاب شدید ومغفرة من الله ورضوان وما الحیاة الدنیا إلا متاع الغرور سابقوا إلی مغفرة من رّبکم وجنة عرضها کعرض السماء والأرض أعدت للذین آمنوا بالله ورسله ذلك فضل الله یؤتیه من یشاء والله ذوالفضل العظیم”[3] Translation: “Know that the life of this world is but play, amusement, adornment, boasting among you, and competition in wealth and children—like rain whose growth pleases the farmers, then it dries and you see it yellow, then it becomes debris. And in the Hereafter there is severe punishment or forgiveness and pleasure from Allah. The worldly life is nothing but a deceiving temporary enjoyment. Race toward forgiveness from your Lord and toward a Paradise whose width is like that of the heavens and the earth, prepared for those who believe in Allah and His messengers. That is the grace of Allah; He grants it to whom He wills, and Allah is the possessor of great bounty.”
Allah the Exalted says: “وبشر الذین آمنوا وعملوا الصالحات أن لهم جنات تجري من تحتها الأنهار کلما رزقوا منها من ثمرة رزقا قالوا هذا الذي رزقنا من قبل واتوا به متشابها ولهم فیها أزواج مطهرة وهم فیها خالدون”[4] Translation: “Give glad tidings to those who believe and do righteous deeds that they will have gardens beneath which rivers flow. Whenever they are provided with fruit from them, they will say: This is what we were provided before; and they will be given similar (but better). For them are purified spouses, and they will remain therein forever.”
Allah the Exalted says: “إن المتقین في جنات و نهر في مقعد صدق عند ملیک مقتدر”[5] Translation: “Indeed, the righteous will be in gardens and rivers, in a seat of truth before a Sovereign, Perfect in Ability.”
Lack of Awareness of the Wisdom of Allah the Exalted and His Decree on Earth
Belief in Allah as Lord, Creator, and the One worthy of worship necessitates belief in His wisdom in everything He decrees and decides. A servant’s faith is not complete until he believes in destiny—its good and its bad. We have full conviction that whatever occurs on this earth happens by the knowledge, command, and will of Allah the Exalted. Nothing—whether good or bad—happens without His knowledge, command, and wisdom, even if from the human perspective it appears as calamity or crisis. Yet in reality, it holds benefit either immediately in this world or later in the Hereafter. It is impossible for anything to occur without the will and permission of Allah the Exalted, and this is what makes Him the True Deity, deserving of worship and servitude.[6]
Allah the Exalted says: “إنا کل شیء خلقناه بقدر”[7] Translation: “Indeed, we have created everything according to a precise decree.”
And in another verse, He says: “وما أصاب من مصیبة إلا بإذن الله ومن یؤمن بالله یهد قلبه والله بکل شیء علیم”[8] Translation: “No calamity befalls except by the permission of Allah. And whoever believes in Allah—He guides his heart. Allah is Knowing of all things.”
Calamities and disasters are punishments that Allah sends upon disbelievers and hypocrites when He wills. Through these trials, Allah increases the reward of the believers and forgives their sins. Such punishments may come from above, such as storms, rains, or lightning; or from beneath the earth, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and landslides; or among the people themselves through division, conflict, and strife—until some destroy others. Allah clearly mentions this in His Noble Book, where He says: “قل هو القادر علی أن یبعث علیکم عذابا من فوقکم أو من تحت أرجلکم أو یلبسکم شیعا ویذیق بعضکم بأس بعض انظر کیف نصرف الآیات لعلهم یفقهون(65) وکذب به قومک وهو الحق قل لست علیکم بوکیل لکل نبأ مستقر وسوف تعلمون”[9] Translation: “Say: He is able to send upon you a punishment from above you, or from beneath your feet, or to divide you into factions and make you taste the violence of one another. Look how We diversify the signs so that they may understand. And your people have denied it, though it is the truth. Say: I am not a guardian over you. Every news has its appointed time, and soon you will know.”
In conclusion, those who are unaware of these matters raise doubts and object to the actions of Allah the Exalted. But whoever understands these truths will never dare question or criticize the decrees of Allah.
Continues…
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References:
[1]. Al- ‘Uqayl, ‘Uqayl ibn ‘Abdullah. Shubuhāt Hawla az-Zalāzil wal-Barākīn wal-Kawārith, 1431 A.H., pp. 18–19.
[2]. Surah Aal ‘Imran, verses 197–198.
[3]. Surah Al-Hadid, verses 20–21.
[4]. Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 25.
[5]. Surah Al-Qamar, verses 54–55.
[6]. Al-‘Uqayl, ‘Uqayl ibn ‘Abdullah. Shubuhāt Hawla az-Zalāzil wal-Barākīn wal-Kawārith, 1431 A.H., p. 19.
[7]. Surah Al-Qamar, verse 49.
[8]. Surah At-Taghābun, verse 11.
[9]. Surah Al-An‘ām, verses 65–67.
