Reflections on Earthquakes

The February 2023 earthquakes which struck Turkey and Syria saw over 52,000 people lose their lives. It is an opportune moment to answer some questions surrounding earthquakes and take some lessons.

Why do earthquakes occur?

Hazrat Anas radhiallahu anhu narrates that a person asked Hazrat Aeysha radhiallahu anha about the cause of earthquakes. She replied that when certain sins take placed openly then the earth is commanded to shake a little to give people a wake-up call. If they don’t repent, then it becomes more serious and the buildings are crushed on them.

Among the sins she mentioned was:

1. People commit adultery openly as though it is permissible. All sexual activities beyond the marriage scenario of husband and wife will fall in this category. Homosexuality, lesbianism, extra marital affairs, masturbation, looking at pictures of scantily dressed people, pornography and flirting are all aspects of adultery. There was a time within Muslim communities when sex outside marriage would be regarded as a serious matter. It is now brushed aside as though it is just one of those things.
2. People consume intoxicants. Alcohol consumption has crept into the Muslim community where previously it was relatively unheard of. Drugs have entrapped numerous good people and destroyed their lives and happiness.
3. People play on flutes and other musical instruments. Music has pervaded our lives on every corner and every device. It has exploded into society at all levels.

These are some of the reasons that cause earthquakes to occur.

The person then asked the next logical question and something we would naturally ask, “Is it then a punishment for the people afflicted with earthquakes?” Hazrat Aeysha radhiallahu anha replied, “No. In fact it is a lesson, mercy and blessing for a Muslim. It is a punishment for the disbeliever.” Hazrat Anas radhiallahu anhu said, “I have never experienced such joy from a Hadith of the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam after that as I experienced on hearing this particular Hadith.”

Another narration informs us that red winds, earthquakes, sinking of the earth and dreadful calamities will occur when Zakaat is taken as a penalty, and there is an abundance of music and intoxicating substances.

Earthquakes are a time for Muslims to reflect and take lesson.

1. Ibn Qayyim rahimahullah says, “Earthquakes are among the signs which Allah Ta’ala uses to make His slaves develop fear.” It should give a Muslim a jolt and an impetus to examine his or her life. This world is one of cause and effect. We are taught that tectonic plates collide to produce earthquakes. This natural cause does not negate the fact that there is a Creator, Who in His Wisdom sets the plates in motion due to certain factors such as sins.
2. There was an earth tremor in the time of the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam. He remarked that, “Your Sustainer wants you to turn to Him, so turn to Him in repentance.”
3. Umar ibn Abdul Aziz rahimahullah said that earthquakes are a manifestation of Allah Ta’ala’s retaliation so that the slave turns to Him in repentance.
4. This was also reflected in the words of Umar radhiallahu anhu that the earth shakes due to some new sin being committed.

The cause of earthquakes are the sins of man being committed openly on a global scale. The wisdom is to urge man to turn to Allah Ta’ala in repentance.

Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi rahimahullah explains that at times earthquakes might occur solely due to the natural cause and effect which Allah Ta’ala has put in place, while at other times they occur due to our sins.

Earthquakes are a mercy for the Muslim.

Losing one’s life in an earthquake by being crushed to death in a building is a means of attaining martyrdom. There are several things mentioned in the Hadith which grant a person the rank of martyrdom, among them drowning, dying due to a stomach illness, burning to death and being crushed by a building.

At times we might be unable to reach the highest ranks of Paradise through our deeds alone. These occurrences are the excuses to then allow us to reach those lofty heights. A martyr is allowed to fly around after death and even see Paradise before the day of Judgment.

Earthquakes either give us a wakeup call or gain us higher ranks in Paradise. Or we might happen to have some sins to our credit for which we have not asked forgiveness. In this case the earthquake becomes a means of wiping out those sins. “My nation is one which is shown mercy such that they will not be punished with everlasting punishment in the Hereafter. Rather, their punishment takes the form of trials, earthquakes and killings in this world.” (Abu Dawood)

Earthquakes were a means of eradicating stubbornly sinful nations of the past.

1. The people of Madyan were destroyed in an earthquake which took their lives. “But they rejected him (Prophet Shuaib alaihis salaam), so an overwhelming earthquake struck them and they fell lifeless in their homes.” (Noble Quran, 29:37)
2. 70 people from the nation of Musa alaihis salaam were struck by an earthquake: Noble Quran, 7:155.
3. The people of Prophet Salih alaihis salaam were destroyed in an earthquake: Noble Quran, 7:78.
4. The towns of Prophet Loot alaihis salaam were overturned which meant that the earth shook for them as well.

Earthquakes are a sign of the Last Day.

1. There will be three earthquakes in Madinah Munawwarah during the time of Dajjal. The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said, “There will be no town which Dajjal will not enter except Makkah and Madinah, and there will be no road (of both) but the angels will be standing in rows guarding it against him. Then Madinah will shake with its inhabitants thrice (i.e., three earthquakes will take place) and Allah will expel all the nonbelievers and the hypocrites from it.” (Bukhari)
2. The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said, “The Last Day will not come until 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.” (Bukhari) The National Earthquake Information Center (USA) now locates about 20,000 earthquakes around the globe each year, or approximately 55 per day. These have shown a marked increase in the past 40-50 years.
3. The Day of Resurrection will see the earth and mountains destroyed by earthquakes: “On the Day the earth and mountains will shake violently, and mountains will be reduced to dunes of shifting sand.” (Noble Quran, 73:14) The land will become flat without any valleys or mountains.
4. The Noble Quran details the horrors of the Day of Resurrection, “O mankind! Fear your Lord! Verily, the earthquake of the Hour is a terrible thing.” (Noble Quran, 22:1)

The positives from the recent earthquakes.

What was evident in the recent earthquakes was the level of faith of the people. An old lady was asking for a scarf to cover her head before she could be pulled out of the rubble. A man was pulled out after some days while reciting the Noble Quran. An old man was asking for water to make Wudhu to read Salaah even while still stuck among the concrete slabs.

This is a lesson for us to never write off anyone. This is even more applicable to Turkey where the signs of Islam were suppressed in the secularist agenda from the 1920’s.  Adnan Menderes was the Prime Minister of Turkey from 1950-60. He was tried and hanged by the army for legalising the Athan which had been banned, reopening thousands of Masjids across the country and saying that there would be no problem in restoring the Khilafah if the people wished.

Today the tables have been turned and the resurgence of Islam in public life in Turkey is evident everywhere. Where once there was little sign of Islam it is now flourishing. You can never know how a person can change their life for the better, so never write anyone off.

What should be our response?

1. Turn to Allah Ta’ala.

“Then why, when Our punishment came to them, did they not humble themselves? But their hearts became hardened, and Satan made attractive to them that which they were doing.” (Noble Quran, 6:43)

“Turn passionately towards your Lord and submit to Him before the punishment comes to you, after which you will not be helped.” (Noble Quran, 39:54)

“And follow the best of what has been sent down to you from your Lord before the punishment comes to you suddenly when you do not even expect.” (Noble Quran, 39:55)

2. Engage in Salaah.

“If the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam was distressed by anything, he would pray.” (Abu Dawood). The Ulama state that if any natural occurrences like excessive rain, snow, lightning occur, one should engage in Salaah.

3. Have concern for those suffering.

Umar ibn Abdul Aziz rahimahullah encouraged people to give charity when earthquakes occurred. We should assist in any way possible and not judge those affected. Make Dua for them.

4. Appreciate.

Earthquakes should cause us to appreciate the normal times when the earth is still and we can go about our activities with ease. “Allah is the One who made for you the earth a place to live.” (Noble Quran, 40:64)

5. Accept the Divine Decree.

Once a person accepts that Allah Ta’ala wants that particular occurrence for him at that time, it becomes a means of attaining mercy from Allah Ta’ala.

Some noteworthy earthquakes.

1. Aleppo in 1138 in the rule of Nuruddin Zangi rahimahullah experienced an earthquake that took 230,000 lives making it the seventh deadliest in history after the recent Tsunami. Ibn Kathir rahimahullah described it as though the last day had occurred.
2. In 808 the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem was severely damaged in an earthquake an in 1015 it collapsed in another.
3. In 1927 an earthquake struck Palestine. The left wing attached to the Qibly Masjid in Aqsa came crashing down and was never rebuilt to this day.