5 things you have to take heed upon facing Natural Disasters.
- A Sign Of Reminder For The Living To Repent
“There is not a ˹wicked˺ society that We will not destroy or punish with a severe torment before the Day of Judgment. That is written in the Record. Nothing keeps Us from sending the ˹demanded˺ signs except that they had ˹already˺ been denied by earlier peoples. And We gave Thamûd the she-camel as a clear sign, but they wrongfully rejected it. We only send the signs as a warning.“
Surah Al-Isra’, Ayah 58 – 59
When the ummah afflicted with calamities, it is for the believers to take heed and repent. As there are no assurance that it wouldn’t befall upon us tomorrow.
2. Signs Showing The Hour Is Near
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “The Hour (Last Day) will not be established until (religious) knowledge will be taken away (by the death of religious learned men), earthquakes will be very frequent, time will pass quickly, afflictions will appear, murders will increase and money will overflow amongst you.”
Sahih al-Bukhari
Most of the minor signs are apparent, Allah knows best when the major signs will occur.
3. Glorifying Allah By Making Continuous Dua, Dhikr & Istighfar
“Had he not ˹constantly˺ glorified ˹Allah˺, he would have certainly remained in its belly until the Day of Resurrection.”
Surah As-Saaffat, Ayah 133 – 144
“But Allah would never punish them while you ˹O Prophet˺ were in their midst. Nor would He ever punish them if they prayed for forgiveness.”
Surah Al-Anfal, Ayah 33
Best response upon facing calamity is to glorify Allah and seek HIS repentance, be optimistic of whatever outcome we face, as HE is the most deserving to be glorified and the provider of all solutions.
4. Provide Aid For The Afflicted Families
Abu Hurairah R.A narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “If anyone relieves a Muslim believer from one of the hardships of this worldly life, Allah will relieve him of one of the hardships of the Day of Resurrection. If anyone makes it easy for the one who is indebted to him (while finding it difficult to repay), Allah will make it easy for him in this worldly life and in the Hereafter, and if anyone conceals the faults of a Muslim, Allah will conceal his faults in this world and in the Hereafter. Allah helps His slave as long as he helps his brother.”
Sahih Muslim.
Don’t underestimate every little effort that we do, it could mean a whole world to the afflicted person.
5. Enjoining Good & Forbid evil
“The disbelievers among the Children of Israel were condemned in the revelations of David and Jesus, son of Mary. That was for their disobedience and violations. They did not forbid one another from doing evil. Evil indeed was what they did!”
Surah Al-Ma’idah, Ayah 78 – 79
There should be a fine balance between enjoining good and forbidding evil, if forbidding evil is no longer performed, then evil will be part of the societal norms. (May Allah safeguard us all from any evil that might harm us)
