CALAMITY : TEST OR PUNISHMENT

Natural  disasters and calamities have been hitting different parts of the world through out the  human history. It befalls on every human being in one way or other. As such,it is a part of our lives. Some become its victim because of their sins and some to test their faith. In this way every one tastes it. 

Not to loose our emotions during trials ,we should be prepare for every trial and tribulation. We should always keep in mind that Allah will surely test us at any time. Calamities are a big lesson for a wise believer. It memorised us our sins ,gives us opportunity to repent and gets closer to our god. It teaches us that Allah will snatch everything from us within seconds. The worldly desires for which we live are nothing but merely a dust which disappears even after a slight wind. 

Calamities make us strong. It gives us inner strength to face all critical situations in the path of islam.  It memorised us the prophets ,how they were putted in great tests and remained staunched in their belief.  How prophet Abraham was tested,how Yunus was tested by the belly of fish,how Yusuf was tested by putting in jail ,how Ayyub was tested by serious illness,how yaqob was tested by the separation of his child and many more prophets by different ways. 

So calamity too,is a mercy for a believer. Perhaps it is more important than all of these details to note that the practical benefit that one should think about is that every calamity and test is good for him and will bring reward if he is patient and seeks reward with Allah and that every test and calamity is bad for him if he panics and gets angry. 

Calamity is a big test for our patience. But question is why these happen?

We need to seek guidance from the holy Quran and sunnah about these matters. When we read the holy Quran and Hadiths,we can conclude three parts. 

Natural disasters are punishment of Allah for those people who are either disbelievers or cross his limits. 

Natural disasters are warning for the sinners,

Natural disasters are test for the believers. 

Sins and acts of disobedience that the person has committed ,whether they constitute kufr or are no more than regular sins or are major sins. Allah will test  the one who committed them with calamity by way of requital and immediate punishment I. E in this world. 

Allâh says, “ But whatever of evil befalls you,is from urself”. Surah al nisa 4:79. The commentators said,I. E because of your sins. 

“And whatever of misfortune befalls you,it is because of what your hands have earned. And he pardons much”. Surah ash shoora 42:30 

“Evils ( sins and disobedience of Allah) 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).  Surah ar rum 30: 41. 

Natural disasters are warming for the sinners

And verily ,we will make them taste the near torment ie the torment in the life of this world ie,disasters,calamities,etc prior to the supreme torment in the hereafter ,in order that they may repent and return ie accept islam surah as sajdah 32 21

See they not that they are tried once or twice every year with different kinds of calamities,diseases,famine etc. yet,they turn not in repentance,nor do they learn a lesson from it surah al tawbah 9 126

Natural disasters are test for the believers. 

“And certainly,we shall test you with something of fear ,hunger ,loss of wealth ,lives and fruits,but give glad tidings to as Sabirin” surah al baqarah 2:155

“Do you think you will enter the paradise without such trials as came to those who passed away before you,they were afflicted with severe poverty and ailments and were so shaken that even the messenger and those who believed along with hi said,when will come the help of Allah,yes certainly the help of Allah is near”. Al baqarah 2: 214

“Do people think they will be left alone because they say we believe and will not be tested. And we indeed tested those who were before them. And Allah will certainly make it known the truth of those who are true,and will certainly make it known the falsehood of those who are liars,although Allah knows all that before putting them to test”. Ankabut 29:2 3

Prophet said’ if a certain status has previously been decreed by Allah for a person,and he does not attain it by his deeds,Allah afflicts him in his body or wealth or children. 

Prophet said,great reward comes with great trials. When Allah loves a people,he tests them and whoever accepts it attain his pleasure,whereas whoever shows discontent with it incurs his wrath. 

Al fadl ibn sahl said ,there is a blessing in calamity that the wise man should not ignore,for it erases sins,gives one the opportunity to attain the reward for patience,dispels negligence,reminds one of blessings at the time of health,calls one to repent and encourages one to give charity. 

I want to end my talk by quoting the verse of holy Quran, “And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to him,he will make a way for him to get out from every difficulty”. Surah talaq 65: 2

So if Allah puts us in any difficulty he also teaches us how to get rid out of this difficulty. First fear Allah and second keeps his duty to him. It means to quit every action which displeases Allah and follow each and every order of Allah mentioned in the holy Quran and Hadiths. This makes us such so that we remain patient in this world and will give us success in the hereafter.