Every year earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, floods, storms, and other natural disasters cause thousands of deaths and destroy the natural environment. Such tragedies stress the importance of Islam's all-embracing view of all inhabitants in the world. Islam considers all human beings to be members of one single family. If any member of the family suffers, all the other members feel the pain and rush to help alleviate it.

In this folder, you will find answers to juristic questions relevant to earthquakes and other natural disasters. What does Islam say about them? How can Muslims help the victims? What role should governments play when such disasters occur? Can zakah be paid to help the victims?

Here we have collected a number of juristic questions and answers issued by Muslim scholars concerning the attitude of Islam towards natural disasters and the role that Muslims should play when disasters occur. This folder clarifies the greatness of Islam and its mercy not only toward human beings but toward all living creatures.

Fate of Children Who Die in Quakes Those Muslim children who died in that disaster are considered martyrs, and they will, in sha’ Allah, lead their parents to Paradise. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said... More>> Dr. Rif`at Fawzi `Abd Al-Muttalib

Liability to Pay for Apartment Demolished by Earthquake If the construction has collapsed because of some structural defects that the seller did not know about or he knew but did not tell the buyer about, then the buyer does not have to pay the price of the second flat…... More>> Sheikh Hani ibn `Abdullah Al-Jubair

Who Should Be Evacuated First in Disasters? In times of calamities, the protection of the living people takes precedence. Also we evacuate the people that we can easily access. For example, if there are people lying on the streets and others are trapped in a building… More>> Sheikh `Abdel Khaliq Hasan Ash-Shareef & Sheikh Muhammad Iqbal Nadvi

Paying Zakah to Earthquake Victims Earthquakes are surely among the natural disasters that affect great numbers of people. It is surely permissible for rich Muslims to pay a part of their zakah to help alleviate the sufferings of those afflicted by the earthquakes… More>> Sheikh Ibn Baz & Sheikh `Abdel Khaliq Ash-Shareef

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