Author: Abu Ayesha
Earthquake from the Perspective of Islam and a Critique of the Objector’s Doubts (Part 15)
A Question for Those Who Attribute Events to Nature! (Continuation)
Second Example
The second example is that of the owners of a beautiful garden filled with fruits and produce—because its fruits were so excellent in quality, it was called a Jannah (paradise-like garden). The owners of this garden lived in a village and would visit it every morning. When the fruits ripened and the time for harvesting arrived, they did not think about taking out the zakāh of their fruits to give in charity to the poor and the needy. Instead, they gathered one night and agreed among themselves to harvest all the fruits during that very night. They planned to pick everything early in the morning before people left their homes, so that the poor and the destitute would not find out, would not come to them, and would not demand zakāh or charity from them.
When they went to their garden early in the morning, they were extremely shocked, because they saw that the garden had been completely burned and turned into ashes; its darkness and charred state resembled a black night.
The disbelievers, hypocrites, and those who follow their path and object to the actions of Allah the Exalted call this great event and astonishing occurrence a natural disaster. They say that the cause of the burning and destruction of the garden was a violent thunderbolt accompanied by a scorching wind that ruined and annihilated everything.
But Allah the Exalted has informed us that no affliction or calamity occurs without the permission and will of Allah (SWT). All creatures are soldiers of Allah, glorified be His Majesty. These soldiers never act on their own; rather, they carry out all their actions by the command of Allah the Exalted and He alone is the One Who restrains them. Fire itself is one of the creations and soldiers of Allah (SWT); therefore, without His permission and will, it can never harm anyone’s garden or possessions. [1]
Allah the Exalted says regarding this matter: “وَلِلَّهِ جُنُودُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۚ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا [2] ” Translation: “And to Allah belong the soldiers of the heavens and the earth, and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.”
In another place He says: “وَمَا يَعْلَمُ جُنُودَ رَبِّكَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۚ وَمَا هِيَ إِلَّا ذِكْرَىٰ لِلْبَشَرِ [3] ” Translation: “And none knows the soldiers of your Lord except Him, and this is nothing but a reminder for mankind.”
Allah the Exalted subjected the fire to their garden because of their sin and disobedience, just as Allah the Exalted Himself says regarding this story:
“إِنَّا بَلَوْنَاهُمْ كَمَا بَلَوْنَا أَصْحَابَ الْجَنَّةِ إِذْ أَقْسَمُوا لَيَصْرِمُنَّهَا مُصْبِحِينَ وَلَا يَسْتَثْنُونَ فَطَافَ عَلَيْهَا طَائِفٌ مِنْ رَبِّكَ وَهُمْ نَائِمُونَ فَأَصْبَحَتْ كَالصَّرِيمِ فَتَنَادَوْا مُصْبِحِينَ أَنِ اغْدُوا عَلَىٰ حَرْثِكُمْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ صَارِمِينَ فَانْطَلَقُوا وَهُمْ يَتَخَافَتُونَ أَنْ لَا يَدْخُلَنَّهَا الْيَوْمَ عَلَيْكُمْ مِسْكِينٌ وَغَدَوْا عَلَىٰ حَرْدٍ قَادِرِينَ فَلَمَّا رَأَوْهَا قَالُوا إِنَّا لَضَالُّونَ بَلْ نَحْنُ مَحْرُومُونَ قَالَ أَوْسَطُهُمْ أَلَمْ أَقُلْ لَكُمْ لَوْلَا تُسَبِّحُونَ قَالُوا سُبْحَانَ رَبِّنَا إِنَّا كُنَّا ظَالِمِينَ فَأَقْبَلَ بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ يَتَلَاوَمُونَ قَالُوا يَا وَيْلَنَا إِنَّا كُنَّا طَاغِينَ عَسَىٰ رَبُّنَا أَنْ يُبْدِلَنَا خَيْرًا مِنْهَا إِنَّا إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا رَاغِبُونَ كَذَٰلِكَ الْعَذَابُ ۖ وَلَعَذَابُ الْآخِرَةِ أَكْبَرُ ۚ لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ[4] “
Translation: “Indeed, We tested them just as We tested the owners of the garden, when they swore that they would surely harvest it in the early morning, and they did not make any exception [saying: If Allah wills]. So a disaster from your Lord encompassed it while they were asleep, and it became like a field harvested bare.
Then in the morning they called out to one another: ‘Go early to your crop if you are to harvest it.’
So they set out, whispering among themselves: ‘Let no poor person enter upon you into it today.’
And they went early, assuming they had full power over it.
But when they saw it, they said: ‘Indeed, we are lost!’
‘No rather, we have been deprived!’
The most reasonable among them said: ‘Did I not tell you: Why do you not glorify Allah?’
They said: ‘Glory be to our Lord! Indeed, we have been wrongdoers.’
Then they turned to one another, blaming each other.
They said: ‘Woe to us! Indeed, we were transgressors.
Perhaps our Lord will give us something better in its place; indeed, we turn to our Lord with hope.’
Such is the punishment, but the punishment of the Hereafter is greater, if only they knew.”
Third Example
The third example is of the people of a town who live in luxury and blessings. Security has spread its wings over that village; goodness and blessings pour upon them from every direction. Their markets are flourishing, their trade is prosperous, and their businesses are active. Suddenly, ruinous and devastating wars break out among them. These wars may occur among the people of the town themselves, as they clash with their rulers, causing them to split into multiple factions and groups, leading to deadly conflict and fighting among them. Or an external enemy may come upon them, destroying them and turning their town into ruins.
After living in luxury and comfort, they are faced with hunger, poverty, and hardship. After having security and peace, they are confronted with fear and terror. And after enjoying ease and well-being, they come to struggle with misery and calamities. [5]
At this point, the ignorant and those unaware of the wisdoms of Allah (Glorified is He) appear. They attribute the causes of what has happened to them solely to immediate and purely material factors. They see no involvement, command, planning, knowledge, or awareness from Allah the Exalted in what occurs within His dominion. According to their assumption and understanding, it is as if there is no All-Knowing and All-Aware Deity who manages and controls, commands and forbids. They do not consider disobedience and rebellion against Allah the Exalted to be among the causes of what has befallen them.
But Allah Himself has informed His servants that this is a principle and an example for all towns and villages: every town or city whose condition changes from good to bad, it is due to disobedience and rebellion against the Creator and abandoning His Law. [6]
Allah the Exalted has beautifully illustrated the condition of this town, and regarding this He says: وَضَرَبَ اللَّهُ مَثَلًا قَرْيَةً كَانَتْ آمِنَةً مُطْمَئِنَّةً يَأْتِيهَا رِزْقُهَا رَغَدًا مِن كُلِّ مَكَانٍ فَكَفَرَتْ بِأَنْعُمِ اللَّهِ فَأَذَاقَهَا اللَّهُ لِبَاسَ الْجُوعِ وَالْخَوْفِ بِمَا كَانُوا يَصْنَعُونَ [7] Translation: “And Allah presents an example of a town that was secure and at ease; its provision came to it in abundance from every place, yet it disbelieved in the favors of Allah, so Allah made it taste the garment of hunger and fear for what they used to do.”
Now, after presenting these examples of those who attribute all events solely to nature, we ask: what is your view regarding these verses? Here it is clearly stated that Allah afflicted them with these calamities and events so that they might awaken, realize, and turn back to their Lord. Earthquakes are among such events.
In a treatise attributed to Mawlana Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani, after mentioning the tragic and painful earthquake that occurred in Pakistan, it is stated: “Thousands of people were killed in this earthquake, but if a person has true faith, they understand that every event that occurs is according to the will of Allah, and in it there is wisdom and benefit, even if we are unaware of it. Allah the Exalted awakens people and warns them through such events. In the past, when people went astray, Allah made them aware of Himself through calamities. Those whose hearts are enlightened understand that this is a sign of the wrath of Allah, which has descended due to the sins of the people and occurs according to Divine wisdom. Therefore, those who are reflective take heed from it.” [8]
To be continued…
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References:
- Al-‘Aqeel, ‘Aqeel bin Abdullah, Shubuhat Hawla al-Zalazil wa al-Barakin wa al-Kawarith (Doubts Regarding Earthquakes, Volcanic Eruptions, and Disasters), 1431 AH, p. 21.
- Surah Al-Fath, Ayah 7.
- Surah Al-Muddaththir, Ayah 31.
- Surah Al-Qalam, Ayat 17–33.
- Al-‘Aqeel, ‘Aqeel bin Abdullah, Shubuhat Hawla al-Zalazil wa al-Barakin wa al-Kawarith, 1431 AH, p. 21.
- Al-‘Aqeel, ‘Aqeel bin Abdullah, Shubuhat Hawla al-Zalazil wa al-Barakin wa al-Kawarith, 1431 AH, p. 21.
- Surah An-Nahl, Ayah 112.
- Usmani, Muhammad Taqi, Zalzala Ani Mein Hikmat (Wisdom in Sudden Earthquakes), n.d., p. 138.
