The Blessings of Natural Disasters

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The underlying meaning of natural disasters. Why do they happen?

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The true nature of Natural Disasters

The blessings of Natural Disasters

The title of this lecture is somewhat controversial. The increasing number of natural disasters over the last decades most people perceived more as calamities or catastrophes and not so much as blessings. Not only that natural disasters devastate the lands but thousands lose their lives, whole families are whipped out and even more families lose everything they own, their livelihood, in short the situation of whole nations is reshaped by natural disasters within minutes. Modern medias share the images of the events instantly with the whole world and scores of scientists go head over heels immediately to explain the magnitude of this disaster, what exactly happened, why it happened and more important why scientists cannot prevent them from happening. Nevertheless they offer us a lot of advice on how to prepare ourselves for the event of such disasters, may it be a better disaster management, higher dams, earthquake proof construction or better drainage systems. They are the most qualified people available to deal with these calamities, the experts on natural disasters. No word about how to prevent theses disasters, but lots of advice on how to reduce the consequences of natural disasters and how to make them more manageable. They are the experts in their field, the smartest. No, they are not smart, but foolish. They are fools for not even trying to understand the main cause for all the calamities inflected on mankind. They are fools and they mislead many. Natural disasters are nothing new; they are not a scientific phenomenon of the last 200 years. The best known of all natural disasters, the evergreen of the natural disasters so to say, is the flood that destroyed the people of the Prophet Nuh. What was the reason for their destruction? Global warming? Insufficient dams? Poor disaster Management? “Noah said: “My Lord! They have disobeyed me, and followed one whose wealth and children give him no increase but only loss. They have plotted a mighty plot….” (71:1-4) “So it was until when Our command came and the oven gushed forth (water like fountains from the earth)” (11:40)

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The true nature of Natural Disasters Because of their sins they were drowned, then were made to enter the fire and they found none to help them instead of Allah.” (71:25) For their sins they were drowned. The people of Nuh were destroyed for their disobedience towards Allah (s.t.), for nothing else. That was and still is the main cause for all catastrophes inflicted on mankind, and there is no helper against the decree of Allah (s.t.). “And whatever misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. Yet he pardons much.” (42:30) There can be no doubt that disobedience towards Allah (s.t.), sinful behavior and rejecting His guidance are the main causes for all the calamities and natural disasters that befall us every now and then and it seems that the number and severity of these disasters is increasing. Corruption has appeared throughout the land and sea by [reason of] what the hands of people have earned so He may let them taste part of [the consequence of] what they have done that perhaps they will return [to righteousness]. (30:41) Of course in a superficial way scientist can help us in dealing with the consequences of such natural disasters, but they can never ever protect us from such calamities. The main reasons for natural disasters are the conduct of mankind and the will of Allah (s.t.). “What! Do the people of the towns then feel secure from Our punishment coming to them by night while they are asleep? What! Do the people of the towns feel secure from Our punishment coming to them in the morning while they play? What! Do they feel secure from Allah’s plan? But none feels secure from Allah’s plan except those who shall perish.” (7:97-99) No nation before us which rejected the guidance of Allah (s.t.) and the guidance of the Prophets (p.b.u.them all) was spared the punishment of Allah (s.t.). Not the people of Nuh (a.s.), not the people of Lut (a.s.), not the people of Salih (a.s.), not the people of Firaun and definitely not the nation of the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.). The main cause for all disasters that befall mankind is the will of Allah (s.t.) and it would be blasphemous to attribute these disasters to any other force besides Allah. He is the Creator of everything, the One who oversees everything and nothing happens except by his will and his command. It is Allah who has created seven heavens and of the earth, the like of them. [His] command descends among them so you may know that Allah is over all things competent and that Allah has encompassed all things in knowledge. (65:12) Page 2 Tahseen Abu Djihad Kramer

The true nature of Natural Disasters Do you not know that Allah knows what is in the heaven and earth? Indeed, that is in a Record. Indeed that, for Allah, is easy. (22:70) It is by the command of Allah (s.t.) that disasters happen and nobody can change His command. No disaster strikes except by permission of Allah. And whoever believes in Allah - He will guide his heart. And Allah is Knowing of all things. (64:11) Then do you feel secure that He will not cause a part of the land to swallow you or send against you a storm of stones? Then you would not find for yourselves an advocate. (17:68) The flood, earthquakes, Tornados, severe storms, droughts, volcano eruptions, you name it and it is there. All kind of natural disasters are mentioned in the Glorious Quran to punish the disobedient. So, is mankind doomed to endure natural disasters every now and then, helpless, subject to the will of Allah? Is there no way to avoid or delay the punishment of Allah (s.t)? Are the scientists right when they claim we cannot avoid it, we can only prepare ourselves much better to deal with the consequences of such disasters? It seems that no nation is spared, not even the most powerful ones. Nobody can protect himself, not from a cyclone, not from a tornado, an earthquake or a drought. “And how many a generation before them did We destroy who were greater than them in [striking] power and had explored throughout the lands. Is there any place of escape?” (50:36) By that We repaid them because they disbelieved. And do we (thus) repay except the ungrateful? (34:17) Allah (s.t.) is not unjust, He is the most just. He would never punish a nation for no reason at all. It is in our hands. And Sufficient is your Lord as an All-Knower and All-Beholder of the sins of

His slaves. “(17: 16-17)
“And whatever misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. Yet he pardons much.” (42:30) “What would Allah gain from your punishment if you are grateful and believe? (4:147) And We sent not the signs except to warn, and to make them afraid (of destruction).” (17:59) “And never would We punish until We have sent a Messenger (to give warning). (17:15) Allah (s.t.) is not punishing us randomly, unjust, without a chance for us to avoid his punishment; Page 3 Tahseen Abu Djihad Kramer

The true nature of Natural Disasters but the only way to avoid the punishment of Allah is through obedience and by calling others to obey Allah (s.t.) and to obey His (s.t.) commands. Doesn’t it cross our mind that all these disasters all this destruction are just warnings by Allah (s.t.) to change our ways? Allah (s.t.) is trying his outmost to remind mankind of its true obligation, of what Allah (s.t.) expects us to do: And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me. (51:56) But Indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience. (103:2-3) Mankind needs to understand that we are on the wrong way; that Allah (s.t.) is not pleased how things are going, He (s.t.) is upset with our way of disobedience. Corruption has appeared throughout the land and sea by [reason of] what the hands of people have earned so He may let them taste part of [the consequence of] what they have done that perhaps they will return [to righteousness]. (30:41) The chance to understand the corruption mankind is spreading on earth and the chance that “perhaps they will return to righteousness” is the blessing of natural disasters, of all calamities that befall mankind. That is the true blessing behind all the struggling; all the hardship people have to go through during the times of disasters. The blessing of a reminder that we are going astray, reminding us of our true obligation in life and the chance to change our ways, our conduct. And let there be [arising] from you a nation inviting to [all that is] good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, and those will be the successful. (3:104) So, how do we deal with disasters, with calamities the right way? How can we prevent them from happening over and over again? How can we invite “to all that is good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong”? The first thing we need to realize is that everything is from Allah (s.t.), may it be good or bad, and that it was decreed on us by Allah (s.t.). We need to remind ourselves and others constantly, that Allah (s.t.) is sending all these signs of His as a warning and as a reminder to put fear into us so that we may wake up, realize our faults, repent and change our ways.

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The true nature of Natural Disasters We cannot question the fairness or wisdom behind it or get caught in blaming Allah (s.t.) for the loss and calamity, as many people do in the event of catastrophe. Islam teaches us that we need to be patient and that we have to trust in the mercy of Allah (s.t.) to offer us a second chance, to forgive us. Not patient in a way that we just accept it, phlegmatic, without any action from our side. Not patient in a way that we feel helpless, with no chance to change our fate. Allah (s.t.) expects a patience from us that acknowledges the true source of all the calamities, that it was ordained on us by Allah (s.t.), why it was ordained on us and that we cannot avoid the punishment of Allah (s.t.), but that we do have a chance to avoid it in the future. The Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) said: “Allah does not decree any matter for the believer except that it is good for him:  If any blessing befalls him, he is thankful to Allah (s.t.) and that is good for him.  If any harm comes over him, he is patient and that is also good for him. This is a bounty exclusively for the believers. We need to show an active patience, acknowledging that it is a punishment, a trial we brought on ourselves for misbehavior and we have to see the chance and grab it to avoid this punishment in the future by changing our behavior and be persistent and patient in following the right way and calling others to it. That is the patience Allah (s.t.) is talking about; not inactive, passive enduring and lamenting about our fate, but active, positive patience in Allah (s.t.), his wisdom behind all of this and our obligation to understand the signs of Allah (s.t.) and to follow them. “And remember when your Lord proclaimed: “If you give thanks (by accepting faith and worshipping none but Allah), I will give you more (of my blessings); but if you are thankless (disbelievers), verily my punishment is indeed severe.” (14:7) “Every soul will taste death. Then to Us you will be returned. And those who have believed and done righteous deeds – We will surely assign to them of Paradise elevated chambers beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally. Excellent is the reward of the righteous workers who have been patient and upon their Lord rely.” (29:57-59) There is no need to discuss all the different sins people are committing, there are too many and this problem is bigger. Look at all the sins committed by the previous nations and you can find them in these days. It is not about some minor sins, but about abandoning the faith of Allah (s.t.) in total.

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The true nature of Natural Disasters Such is Allah, your Lord! La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Creator of all things. So worship Him (Alone), and He is the Wakil (Ruler, Trustee, Disposer of affairs, Guardian, etc.) over all things. (6:102) "It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision." (33:36) 'Whatever the Prophet gives you accept it and whatever he forbids you refrain from it.' (59:7) 'Whoever obeys the Prophet obeys Allah.' (4:80)

How many Nations are left that truly follow the guidance of Allah (s.t.)? How many Nations are left that truly follow the teachings of Tawhid, accepting Allah (s.t.) as the supreme power in all their affairs? How many Nations are left that truly follow the signs of Allah (s.t.) the law he ordained on mankind, the sharia? How many Nations, Muslim and Non Muslim alike, choose disbelieve over belief, Taghut over Tawhid? And they were covered with humiliation and poverty and returned with anger from Allah [upon them]. That was because they [repeatedly] disbelieved in the signs of Allah and killed the prophets without right. That was because they disobeyed and were [habitually] transgressing. (2:61) There is no reason for us to be surprised by natural disasters, by the reminders and signs of our Lord Allah (s.t.). We were given the warning, we ignored it and we brought it on ourselves. We should not complain at all, but regret and try to change our ways. Allah (s.t.) made it very clear in his book, the Glorious Quran what he expects from the believers, he gave us very clear instructions: The believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and establish prayer and give zakah and obey Allah and His Messenger. Those - Allah will have mercy upon them. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise. (9:71) The moment we stop calling one another to whatever is good and refraining from whatever is wrong, doesn’t matter if it is in our family, our neighborhood or in a whole state Immorality and disobedience towards Allah (s.t.) will become a widespread disease. If there is no guiding call, no control, no punishment, people will start to follow their whims and desires and they will be proud of their misbehavior and not afraid to commit all kind of evil and shirk. They are not afraid any longer of committing haram, khufr and shirk. It is normal these days to see all this widespread and in public. People are not even ashamed anymore of public indecency and immorality. Alcohol, sina, prostitution, riba, corruption, theft, oppression and many other things are practiced widespread in public and people are proud of it. Page 6 Tahseen Abu Djihad Kramer

The true nature of Natural Disasters Today it is not a sin anymore, it is just business. Today it is not a sin anymore, it is self determined sexuality. Today it is not a sin anymore; it is fashion and having fun. But Allah has warned us that the punishment would not be restricted to those who commit these evil actions, but that it might inflict those who ignore and tolerate it: And fear a trial which will not strike those who have wronged among you exclusively, and know that Allah is severe in punishment. (8:26) Cursed were those who disbelieved among the Children of Israel by the tongue of David and of Jesus, the son of Mary. That was because they disobeyed and [habitually] transgressed. They used not to prevent one another from wrongdoing that they did. How wretched was that which they were doing. You see many of them becoming allies of those who disbelieved. How wretched is that which they have put forth for themselves in that Allah has become angry with them, and in the punishment they will abide eternally. (5:78-80) It is quite clear that just changing our personal ways is not enough, it is just a starting point. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that the messenger of Allah said, "Whoever amongst you sees an evil, he must change it with his hand; if he is unable to do so, then with his tongue; and if he is unable to do so, then with his heart; and that is the weakest form of Faith". (Reported in Sahih Muslim). After comforting the people in their tough situation in disaster areas, making sure that their basic human needs, like water, food, shelter, medical attention are taken care of, it is our obligation to remind them of their Creator, the way he has ordained for us and invite them to all that is good. Otherwise all the effort would be in vain, useless. Where is the benefit of helping people without warning them that this may occure again. If people do not understand why they were punished, how can they change, how can they save themselves? This is the obligation of the believers, to remind people of the way of Allah. It is not the best way of disaster management to show people how to built stronger dams, how to built more sufficient drainage systems or how to drill deeper dwells in case of a drought. And We have sent the fertilizing winds and sent down water from the sky and given you drink from it. And you are not its guardians. (15:22) Have those who disbelieved not considered that We made from water every living thing? Then will they not believe? (21:30) Say, "Have you considered: if your water was to become sunken [into the earth], then who could bring you flowing water?" (67:30)

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The true nature of Natural Disasters Allah made it very clear to us in these short verses of the Quran that all our approaches to cope with natural disasters is in vain as long as we do not accept the reality of life: That Allah (s.t.) is our Creator, our Lord and that we need to obey him. The only way to deal with any kind of disaster is by repenting to Allah (s.t.), to change our ways and to ask those around us to change their ways. Be a reminder, be a Warner, invite people to the straight path; that is the best way to help them for the future and to help ourselves. Whenever the punishment of Allah (s.t.) occurs, all the sudden and from a side we did not expect, than it is too late. Say, "O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah . Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful." And return [in repentance] to your Lord and submit to Him before the punishment comes upon you; then you will not be helped. And follow the best of what was revealed to you from your Lord before the punishment comes upon you suddenly while you do not perceive, Lest a soul should say, "Oh [how great is] my regret over what I neglected in regard to Allah and that I was among the mockers." (39:53-55) But yes, there had come to you My verses, but you denied them and were arrogant, and you were among the disbelievers. (39:59)

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The true nature of Natural Disasters

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Tahseen Abu Djihad Kramer

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