By
Bilal Naeem – Hiba’s team writer
The aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria brought forward a spate of heartbreaking pictures, videos and stories. The images and sounds of children screaming for their parents, parents holding onto their children, lifeless bodies of young ones – hard for any heart to bear.
These haunting images can sometimes bring us to ask ourselves why Allah (swt) would allow this to happen or we may have to answer this question posed by a non-muslim or a curious child. It’s important for the strengthening of our Iman to unravel the question of why such destruction would happen and what is our role in them.
At the first instance, we must ask ourselves who do we think has been wronged? Are we worried about those that have passed away?
By the grace of Allah (swt) we have the belief that those who pass away in a catastrophe such as an earthquake are martyred and so have a very special station. Not only have they felt the pain of death merely as the bite of a flea but their suffering and test has been cut short. After all, death is better than the Fitnah and trials of this world. Allah (swt) has been generous to them and has taken them from this world to a better place.
This is not to say that feeling sad for those that have passed away contradicts the perspective that they have gone to a better place. Instead, this is the mercy that should remain in the heart of the believer, in spite of knowing the broader truth.
Are we worried about those left behind?
People who went through hardships and they exhibited Sabr and Tawwakul upon their Rabb, would have a greater reward on the day of Judgment. We see that in the case of the messengers of Allah (swt) who always had to bear the worst of hardships, trials and tribulations. They never found Allah (swt) to be unjust or their worldly life to be unfair. Simply because they knew that they were mere travellers passing through this world to reach their blissful destination Jannah, in Aakhirah.
Similarly, if we pay closer attention to the people suffering through this devastation, we do not see them questioning their faith or the wisdom behind their loss instead we find their Imaan strengthened. We find people buried in rubble for days asking for water for Wudu, we find people praying, doing Tasbeeh, asking for a Hijab before coming out of the rubble worried about their Haya.
This philosophical issue seems to be a luxury for the privileged people sitting comfortable in their homes but the survivors of these catastrophes don’t need our philosophy, they need our empathy. Ignorance about Allah (swt), His attributes and Deen, breed pessimistic and hopeless thoughts in the mind.
As for their loss and their suffering, the Prophet (sa) also said in a profound tradition: “The most devastated person in this world—from the people of Paradise—will be brought forward on the Day of Resurrection and dipped a single dip in Paradise. Then it will be said: ‘O son of Adam, have you seen any hardship? Did you experience any distress?’ He will say: ‘No, by Allah, my Lord! I did not experience any distress; I did not see a single hardship.’”
Allah (swt) Al Kareem, The Most Most Gracious, will erase the painful memories from their minds to enable them to only live a life of desires and joys in Jannah.
When we understand that the trials and tribulations of this world are nothing when compared to what awaits us beyond this life, their importance is immediately diluted and made clear to us. We are reminded of the insignificance of this world and how blessed we are. In our limited minds, we cannot grasp the deeper wisdom of such occurrences just as Prophet Musa (as) did not understand the wisdom behind the actions of Hazrat Khizr (as)as narrated in the story of Surah Al Kahf. What does that explain? That a parallel unseen world runs next to our seen material world, even today.
This unseen world of Allah (swt) is much bigger and grand commands descend for execution and management of our material world. These orders are based on Allah’s (swt) absolute Mercy, Wisdom, Knowledge and Justice. they are carried out meticulously by the angels round the clock. People who do not have or have lost the idea of an afterlife and unable to realize the temporal nature of this mortal world are devastated more, by death and destruction. It was never part of their self-perceived perfect and beautiful life. They desire Paradise in the imperfect and weak material world that will be destroyed completely one day, eventually.
It is not our place to question the wisdom behind such events but a reminder for all of us to get back on track. We need to leave Allah Al Hakeem’s wisdom to Him and hope to achieve Allah Ar Raoof’s mercy.
What this should trigger in us is a moment of introspection. Is it possible that this earthquake was a punishment from Allah (swt)? and what is our responsibility in such a situation? Why have we been spared? To question Allah (swt) more or to submit, obey, reform and repent for a purposeful life ahead?
Earthquakes have been referred in the Quran as a means of punishment but such punishments may also serve as a means of mercy and purification for some. So it means a different end for everyone as per his or her knowledge of faith and practice of Islam.
The Prophet (sa) said that his nation would have a special mercy from Allah (swt) to be punished in this world rather than the next. At the same time, punishment may also be a means of recourse, especially for those left behind. If we are following this pattern of thinking our focus should be internal rather than external, meaning we should be concerned about our actions and our sins and whether they have contributed in a broader punishment for the Ummah.
We must not let such discussions or thoughts distract us from doing our part. This may be in the form of spreading information about the humanitarian needs of the people who have suffered through such a situation, raising funds, helping financially or at the very least making Dua for their ease and happiness. On a personal level we should take our worship and work (duties and roles as a muslim) more seriously and build Taqwa (Mindfulness about Allah (swt) especially now that Ramadan is approaching which can be an excellent starting point for reform.
It depends on our individual capacity and what Allah (swt) has made easy for us in our hearts, there is something we can all do if we truly have the intention to contribute.
Lastly, we should remain humble, especially in our assumptions about how Allah (swt) has chosen the world to function. We should not be so arrogant to try to find fault in it, nor should we sit in company that perpetuates such useless discussions merely for intellectual purposes. Instead, we should aim to gain greater knowledge and strengthen our Iman lest the following verse of the Quran rings true for us:
“And there are some people who worship Allah on the verge of faith: if they are blessed with something good, they are content with it; but if they are afflicted with a trial, they relapse into disbelief, losing this world and the Hereafter. That is truly the clearest loss” [Al Hajj 22:11].
Note: This post draws significantly from the discussion in the podcast by Yaqeen institute, Earthquake in Türkiye & Syria: “Why didn’t God stop it?” between Sh. Mohammad Elshinawy and Mohamad Zaoud.
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