by Zainib Ahmad

Created on: May 23, 2008

It is usually painful to watch the news. Recently, images of corpses swirling in the water and ravaged villages had not faded from our minds when China's massive earthquake shook us once more. I struggled to control my tears as I watched people collapse with grief, desolate at the loss of their precious children. My mind swirls with fear and horror as I ask for Allah's mercy and forgiveness. These are times when such disasters have become all too common. How does a person come to terms with such catastrophes? Is it simply the will of Allah, that has come to pass, or is it the wrath of Allah that has led to misery and destruction on a tremendous scale? Is it even worthwhile wondering?

Before we debate things among ourselves, Allah has some bigger questions to ask us. "Do you feel secure that He Who is in the Heaven will not make the earth to swallow you up? Then lo! It will shake. Or do you feel secure that He Who is in the Heaven will not send on you a violent wind? Then you shall know how truthful was My warning! And certainly those before them denied, then how (terrible) was My disapproval!" (67:16-18).

This is a crucial discussion because as we watch calamities around the world, we could very well be next. When we read the Quran, it becomes clear to us that in earlier times, towns were destroyed by storms, floods, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes when their people rejected the message and the messenger sent to them. The Quran clearly mentions the life history of Prophets so we may learn from them. The rule with Allah is that when people persist in transgressions, and cross the limits after having wasted one too many chances, a sudden severe punishment may overtake them. Clearly Allah warns us of similar punishments, otherwise there is no point in mentioning those facts of history. We are also told that whatever ill befalls us is due to ourselves and Allah does not wrong anyone. Isn't it true that some of these disasters are not so natural', having been precipitated by climate change and environmental destruction wrought by human hands?

It is also true that Allah afflicts his true followers with trials and tribulations to test their faith and to separate the firm from the shaky. Only Allah knows who those blessed ones are. Calamities would be perceived as trials by those who were already leading lives of submission to Allah. For the rest of mankind, it is a slap in the face, a sharp rebuke by a Benevolent, Loving God whom we so often forget.

Allah is always

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