Lessons Often We Forget! “Natural Disasters have been Warning Legends to Check Humanity”

Lessons Often We Forget! “Natural Disasters have been Warning Legends to Check Humanity”. Natural disasters -Punishment or Test from God? Nothing happens without a reason. Whether you or a loved one is facing a natural disaster or coping with its aftermath. What Holy scriptures say, offering comfort, hope and reminders of God’s loving care. To achieve success, one must have a well-defined plan, and it must be implemented to be successful. Allah says, “O you who believe! Be careful of (your duty to) Allah and seek means of nearness to Him and strive hard in His way that you may be successful.” dr. fiaz fazili GAWAH EXPTREESS 23 FEB2023 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Throughout the passage of time, natural disasters have been attributed to some global disturbances of climatic changes and injudicious deforestation. Global warming can increase disaster risk in a variety of ways by altering the frequency and intensity of hazard events, affecting vulnerability to hazards, and changing exposure patterns deforestation affect the natural environment, the loss of trees and other vegetation can cause climate change, desertification, soil erosion, fewer crops, flooding, increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and a host of problems for indigenous people. Early warning systems – science or service first? Over those past few years many natural disasters like fast winds, floods, earthquakes, hurricanes snowstorms, landslide, and etc, and pandemics like covid have been occurring more frequently than before causing havoc to the life and property .Over the past 60 years as population has grown with increasing urbanization and economic activities have expanded with increasing diversity, society has had a greater demand for weather warning services to protect life and property against weather hazards. Partly in response to this demand and partly due to the advances in monitoring and prediction capabilities, early warning systems have developed and grown over the years in variety, covering such hazards as tropical cyclones, high winds, heavy rain, snow, thunderstorms, extreme temperatures, droughts and reduced visibility. National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) all over the world have an essential role to play in bringing about disaster reduction through delivery of quality public weather services, including the provision of weather forecasts, early warnings on hazardous weather, outreach activities to enhance public awareness of weather hazards, interpretation and use of the weather information, as well as collaboration with disaster relief organizations to minimize loss of life and property. Despite the advances, limitations in weather forecasting remain to this day, Warning systems have grown in complexity, with warnings often graded in levels, each triggering different response actions by the public. The time scale of warnings has also evolved from days to hours to minutes, in accordance with synoptic-scale, down to meso-scale or even to local-scale phenomena (such as tornadoes). Overall, these warnings have been effective in disaster prevention and reduction. However, weatherman Mr Sonam Lotus, or his colleagues often must, or are under pressure to, provide services even before the relevant science is established or the technology is available. What Does the Holy Scriptures Say About Natural Disasters? In various scriptures natural calamities are seen as,” Warning Legends to Check Humanity”. One can't completely brush aside these legendary stories in all religions, and civilizations easily, which are concerned with the supernatural power that controls the human world and the punishment incurred due to disobedience of humans. The top Bible verses about natural disasters mention about great destruction on the earth. Peter says that the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements (stoicheia) of the earth will burn up (2 Pet 3:10, 12). Jesus as Muslims call him Prophet Essa AS refers to earthquakes, famine, and pestilence (Luke 21:11; par. Matt 24:7; Mark 13:8). Classic discussions about the paradox of evil in the world, given the Bible’s claim that an omnipotent, omniscient, omnibenevolent Creator governs all things, generally proceed on the grounds that evil originates from one of two sources. Evil comes from wicked people and evil comes from so-called natural disasters. On this day, ironically, the attention of millions of people in our nation is riveted upon evil events from both sources. While we pause to remember and honour those who died at the hands of recent pandemic like Covid leaving a path of death and destruction in its wake. In some ways, the malevolent acts of wicked people are easier to explain than catastrophes of violent weather, shifting tectonic plates, and fatal diseases. From the very beginning of human existence, humankind has been in search of answers for the loss, grief and bereavement produced by these natural disasters. When the Prophet Muhammad (saw) heard thunder or a thunderbolt, he used to say: "My Lord, do not kill us with Your wrath and do not send us to perdition by inflicting suffering on us. Spare us all that, our Lord. Noted Islamic Scholar Dr.M.Sidiqui in light of the holy Quran and Hadiths concludes on three points, 1. Natural disasters are punishment of Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala for those people who are either disbelievers or cross His limits; 2. Natural disasters are a warning for the sinners;3. Natural disasters are a test for the believers. Further elaborating these inferences in the light of holy Quran and Hadith, we are given to understand that natural disasters are punishment of Allah for those people who are either disbelievers or cross His limits. On different instances in the holy Quran Allah SWT has clarified that natural disasters result from His disobedience. “And whatever misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much. (Ash-Shura 42:30).” And if Allah were to punish men for that which they earned, He would not leave a moving (living) creature on the surface of the earth, but He gives them respite to an appointed term, and when their term comes, then verily, Allah is ever all Seer of His slaves.” (Fatir 35:45).” Evil (sins and disobedience of Allah etc.) has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned (by oppression and evil deeds, etc.), that Allah may make them taste a part of that which they have done, in order that they may return (by repenting to Allah and begging His Pardon). (Ar-Rum 30:41).” And if the people of the towns had believed and had the Taqwâ (piety), certainly We should have opened for them blessings from the heaven and the earth, but they belied (the Messengers). So, We took them (with punishment) for what they used to earn (polytheism and crimes, etc.). (Al-A’raf 7:96)”. Natural Disasters: Punishment or Test from God? There are evils caused by human beings and there are natural disasters. There are sufferings for individuals and there are those that involve many people. Sometimes, natural disasters are very intense and crush even the innocent or apparently good noble pious people living in the affected area. An intriguing question can baffle anyone like me who has poor understanding of Allome Quran and Usoole Hadith, will these obedient people get reward of Allah SWT on the Day of Judgment for the affliction they faced? Allah SWT has warned in the holy Quran about such trials and tribulations which don’t hit specifically disobedient people. Allah SWT says: “And fear the Fitnah (affliction and trial, etc.) which affects not in particular (only) those of you who do wrong (but it may afflict all the good and the bad people) and know that Allah is Severe in punishment. (Al-Anfal 8:25 Allah SWT has also narrated the incidents of different tribes and people who were hit by natural disasters. The question remains why Allah allows suffering which involves even noble, pious obedient servants too. Obedience to God’s commands is the true sign of your love for God, and the only way you can know if you are obeying God is by knowing his word. Bible Verses talk about obedience and help Christians learn how you can love him. Study and memorize Scriptures about obeying God. Biblic verse, PSA 43:1,%2:9 speaks ,”Judge me, O God, And plead my cause against a nation not pious, From a man of deceit and perverseness Thou dost deliver me.As Muslims we believe that Allah is wise and everything that Allah does is right, just, and fair. We must submit and surrender to His will. The Qur'an has not given us all the details about Allah's will, but it has enlightened us with the guidance that is useful and sufficient for us. In Quran chapter Surah Al-Mu'minun, Allah says, “then did you think that We created you without purpose, and that you would not be returned to us?” Exalted is Allah, the True King! There is no god 'worthy of worship' except Him, the Lord of the Honourable Throne. Whoever invokes, besides Allah, another god - for which they can have no proof they will surely find their penalty with their Lord. Indeed, the disbelievers will never succeed. Say, 'O Prophet,' “My Lord! Forgive and have mercy, for You are the best of those who show mercy.” (115-118) The problem of the existence of evil in this world is a complex one and there is no one simple answer for it. There are several points that we must keep in our mind to understand this issue: However, we must keep in mind that only Prophets of Allah, who had access to the Revelation (wahi), could inform us whether a disaster was a punishment of Allah or not. After the coming of the Last Prophet Muhammad - peace and blessings of Allah be upon him- no one has access to any new Divine Revelation and hence no one is allowed to say that a particular disaster or difficulty is the punishment of God to a person or to a group as many of ignorant had attached earthquake which hit Turkey and Syria recently as punishment From Allah the Almighty. Suffering can also be a test and trial for some people. Allah allows some people to suffer to test their patience and steadfastness. Even Allah's Prophets and Messengers were made to suffer. Prophet Ayyub (AS) is mentioned in the Qur'an as a Prophet who was very patient. Good people sometimes suffer but their sufferings heal others and bring goodness to their communities. People learn lessons from their good examples. “Be sure We shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere. Who say, when afflicted with calamity: "To Allah we belong, and to Him is our return" They are those on whom (descend) blessings from their Lord, and Mercy, and they are the ones that receive guidance. (Al-Baqarah 2:155-157).Whenever we encounter suffering, we should ask ourselves, "Have we broken any law of Allah?" Let us study the cause of the problem and use the corrective methods. “Could it be a punishment?" Let us repent and ask forgiveness and reform our ways. "Could it be a test and trial for us?" Let us work hard to pass this test with patience if we are suffering; or with charity and kindness if we see others are in difficulty. The world, however, is not all evil. Beside all these negative things still goodness is the rule and evil is the exception. Virtue is the norm and sin is the aberration. Suffering for some people could be a test for others who did not suffer. Whether we understand or not the reason why some people went through a disaster, our responsibility is to help them. When we see a person who is sick, poor or needy, or when we see a whole community gone through some disaster, actually we are also tested by Allah. It is wrong to leave them alone saying that "if Allah wanted, He would have saved them." Allah mentions with disapproval the saying of some people: And when they are told, "Spend of (the bounties) with which Allah has provided you, Sufferings occur to teach us that we must adhere to Allah's natural and moral laws. Sufferings are sometimes to punish those who violate Allah's natural or moral laws. Suffering of the righteous people also becomes a healing and liberation for others. Those who patiently bear their pain and suffering are also promised great blessings from Allah. Sufferings of some people are a test for other people's commitment to human values and charity. In the suffering of those people our faith and charity are tested. When we see a person in pain and in difficulty, we should pay extra attention. It is possible that Allah is there to see what our response is. Believers face the sufferings with prayers, repentance, and good deeds.Allah is Ever Well Acquainted with what you do" (Al Qura’an4:135). Allah the Almighty has prescribed ordinances, which should not be neglected. He has outlined some limits which should not be contravened and has forbidden some things which He deemed inviolable. If a believer doesn’t have correct religious knowledge, the probability that his steps may wander aside is high, and he easily can be deviated by Satan towards the dark alleys of unlawful things and temptations. Finally, where does that standard of morality come from? If only we could look through the horizon of morality and accountability that awaits us beyond this life, we can be truthful with compassion by realizing that we all come from the same source, and we are destined to return to the same source. When we allow ourselves to be microscopically honest with our truths, I love the truth... your truth... my truth.... but I always try to hear it. Fair enough, why can't we tell the truth without making a,“turn round ”attitude In this world, almost without exception, we must learn to work together without”Tarangari,”in mutual trust ,respect as teams. Are we all really that open minded these days, or do we just say we are too. Promising are Things We Hope For, Things We Hope In. May Allah keep us on the right path. May Allah guide us in our difficult ethical and moral decisions.\ameen. .(Dr Fiaz Fazili is Surgeon specialist and has a Diploma in Islamic studies. His work has been published in local and international Journals.) -- --