Page 84 - The Truth of the Life of This World

As is stated in the verse, all people, believers and disbelievers, are test-
ed in many ways: sometimes by natural disaster, at other times by some-
thing happening in our daily lives, a disease or an accident that befalls us.
Such misfortunes strike individuals as well as societies and cause material

loss along with spiritual suffering. A wealthy man may become bankrupt,
a girl with good looks may receive a severe injury on the face, or a city
may be reduced to rubble by an earthquake. These incidents are all clear
demonstrations of how, at any moment, events can alter our lives.
People should be able to draw lessons from these events. No doubt,
Allah does not create anything without a purpose; each disaster is a
reminder for human beings whose purpose is to save humans from the
perversity they are in. In the Qur'an, Allah says that without His leave,
nothing can occur on earth:
No kind of calamity can occur, except by the leave of Allah: and if anyone
believes in Allah, (Allah) guides his heart (aright): for Allah knows all things.
(Surat at-Taghabun: 11)
Nor can a soul die except by Allah's leave, the term being fixed as by writ-
ing. If any desires a reward in this life, We shall give it to him; and if any
desires a reward in the hereafter, We shall give it to him. And swiftly shall We
reward those that (serve Us with) gratitude. (Surah Ali-'Imran: 145)
Another lesson one draws from disasters is that man, assuming himself
to be mighty on earth, realises that he is simply weak and actually does
not have the strength to cope with disasters, which happen in a moment
by the will of Allah. Man can provide no help either to himself or to any-
one else. Surely Allah is Omnipotent. This is stated in the following verse:
If Allah touch you with affliction, none can remove it but He; if He touch you
with happiness, He has power over all things. (Surat al-An'am: 17)
In this chapter, a comprehensive account of types of disasters affecting
the earth will be given. The purpose is to remind people that this world is
not a place for which to feel blind affection. These incidents indicate how
desperately we need Allah's guidance and help. This desperation is a clear
statement that people are impotent before Allah. As is said in the verse;
"and nor have you, besides Allah, any protector or helper." (Surat al-
'Ankabut: 22)

82 Natural Hazards and Disasters