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Earthquakes are, in fact, signs from Allah Most High. A Muslim has to reflect on Allah’s creation and always be mindful of His signs. By earthquakes, Allah Almighty tests the faith, patience, cooperation, helpfulness, and brotherhood of His servants. Therefore, Muslims should hasten to help and aid the afflicted areas through all possible means. Moreover, Allah Almighty may warn His servants against committing sins and violating His laws. Thus, it is our duty to repent to Allah, to seek His forgiveness, to do good, and to avoid the prohibited.
Our hearts bleed for the suffering and pains of our brothers and sisters—Muslims and non-Muslims—in south Asian countries who are victims of the recent devastating earthquake and tsunami. We ask Allah, from the depth of our hearts, to alleviate their suffering and remove their pains.
As for the recent earthquakes and disasters, they are not necessarily a type of punishment. Allah Almighty always decrees what is for the benefit of His servants, though we may not grasp its significance and fruits.
Earthquakes are signs of Allah. People should reflect over these signs and return back to their Creator, the All-Powerful, the All-Merciful: (We will show them Our Signs in the universe, and in their own selves, until it becomes manifest to them that this (the Qur’an) is the truth. Is it not sufficient in regard to your Lord that He is a Witness over all things?) (Fussilat 41:53).
By such disasters, Allah Almighty tests the faith, brotherhood, sincerity, helpfulness, and so on, of His servants. In times of crises, true servants of Allah hurry to help and aid the afflicted people. A Muslim should precede others in helping and aiding disaster victims. Islam even commands Muslims to be kind and helpful to animals, let alone humans. Let’s reflect on the following wonderful hadith:
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) related to his Companions the story of a man who found a dog panting with thirst. The man went down into a well, filled his shoes with water and offered it to the dog to quench its thirst. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Then Allah was grateful to him and forgave him his sins.” The Companions asked, “O Messenger of Allah! Is there a reward for us with relation to animals?” He replied, “There is a reward with (relation to) every living creature.”
Pondering over the message of the above hadith, Muslims should not hesitate in helping their brothers and sisters who are afflicted by such disasters, since Muslims are commanded to be kind to every living creature.
It goes without saying that a religion that commands its followers to be kind and merciful to animals does not tolerate or accept leaving alone disaster victims without giving them a helping hand.
Finally, it should be clear that the recent disaster that afflicted our brothers and sisters in South Asia cannot be simply interpreted as a punishment from Allah, since Allah alone is the One Who knows His exact will of such a disaster.
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