In the name of Allaah, Most Beneficent and Most Merciful
Muslims and non-muslims alike find it very difficult and painful to digest the tragedy that happened in Japan. First the earthquake, then the tsunami, then the radio active leak from the nuclear power plants, and then the blizzard, all wreaking havoc in japan has made everyone to ask: “Why did that happen? What did the people do to deserve such a disaster?”
Atheists will just go to the extent of blaming the movement of tectonic plates for the cause of this disaster. For them everything in this universe occurred as a chance, coincidentally and still is occurring that way. In their eagerness to separate the control of church on the state, the west also separated the mention of God from their education system. The result was the belief set in the ancient greek philosophy, that though God is the Creator of the universe, the universe is running on its own without the involvement of God. Suddenly belief in God became a personal matter, not to be discussed when discussing the subjects related to the universe like physics, chemistry etc.
Many muslims also have succumbed to this idea of self-running universe and end up believing that all this just happened by accident. This idea is even propagated through the education system in many countries which try to maintain a secular character. The media also propagates atheism by not mentioning God so as to cater to all the viewers for profits. It replaces the mention of God with phrases like mother nature, forces of nature, weather gods etc.
In reality, Allah is the Creator of the whole universe and is in complete control of it. Nothing happens without the will of Allah. All the affairs of this universe return to Allah who decides about them. The power of Allah is absolute, Knowledge is all-encompassing, and Wisdom is perfect. Allah is All-Seeing, All-Hearing and All-Aware. The calamities happen only by the order of Allah. This is the reality as revealed in the Quran by Allah and explained by Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). So we have to turn to the revelation for the answers to the question: “why such disasters and calamities to fall upon people?”
Allah Says in the Quran:
- “And whatever calamity befalls you, it is due to your own doings and Allah forgives many of your shortcomings.” [42/30].
At another juncture:
- “Corruption has spread on water and land due to the doings of mankind. In order that Allah make them taste the penalty of some of their doings. Perhaps they may retract. (from their disobedience)” [30/41].
- Say: “Travel through the earth and see what was the end of those before (you): Most of them worshipped others besides Allah.” [30/42]
At another juncture:
- Why would Allah punish you if you were grateful and believed. And Allah is Most appreciative, All-Knowing. [4/147].
- “If the people of the locality had believed and adopted taqwa (piety), We would have opened upon them the blessings of the heavens and the earth, but they denied and falsified, thus We seized them due to their actions.” [7/96].
All these verses clearly indicate that the disasters and calamities that befall mankind are due to the own doings of Mankind. When the mankind denies Allah, turns rebellious inspite of so many bounties bestowed by Allah, Allah’s wrath descends on them. However, as Allah is most merciful, Allah gives time to mankind to turn to Him, repent and mend their ways before the divine punishment. But when they turn more rebellious, then Allah decrees His divine punishment.
Allah narrates the stories of few nations among many nations that were destroyed because of their disbelief and rebelliousness. Nation of Prophet Noah (Peace be upon him), Nation of Aad, Nation of Thamud, Nation of Sabah, Nation of Prophet Lut (Peace be upon him), Nation of Prophet Shuaib (Peace be upon him), People of Qariah (described in Surah Yaseen) and People of Firaun are some of them.
Japan is the third largest economy in the world and a leader in technology, machinery and research. It has a GDP per capita of $34000. Leading a luxurious life and enjoying so many bounties of Allah, they have as a nation failed to recognize and worship the true creator. 84% of the Japanese claim no personal religion. 64% do not believe in God (Wikipedia: Religion in Japan).It is high time for the Japanese people and mankind at large to recognize their creator and be obedient to Him.
These calamities should serve as a wakeup call for those who witness these calamities and survive to recognize Allah, His power and to turn towards him in repentance. If we repent to Allah and mend our ways, then Allah will remove the calamity and bestow His blessings as was done in the case of People of Prophet Yunus (Jonah) (Peace be upon him). Allah will give us a blissful life here and in the hereafter.
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