When Disaster Strikes!  

The world is full of strife, conflict and disasters. There have not been many years in history when one country or another was not at war. Apart from volcanoes, earthquakes there are diseases, which can now spread much faster due to increased international travel. The recent plague in India is one example. In Bombay alone more than 3000 people were affected and the bubonic plague has sent panic reactions around the world with some countries banning flights from India.

In many places in the Quran God tells us how He destroyed communities because of their unbelief. Could it be possible that the misfortunes we consider to be 'natural' are in fact punishment from God?

The Quran firmly states: "You shall uphold the honorable revelations from you Lord, before the retribution comes to you suddenly..." (Al-Zumar 39.55).

Many people will be shocked at any suggestion that their faith in God is weak but as the Quran says "If you ask them `Who created the heavens and the earth, and subdued the sun and the moon, they will answer "God". How come they deviate". It's not only the ones who are obviously astray that need to worry but also those who think their belief is firm.

The Estonian passenger ferry capsized and sank in stormy seas 20 miles off the Finnish coast. Survivors said that it took only minutes for the ferry to go under. Almost 1,000 people died in this incident. The chilling horror, which affected numerous families, was similar to the tragedy of 1987 when the Herald of Free enterprise sank killing 193 people.

Another sign for them is that we carried their ancestors in the loaded ark. Then we created similar vessels for them to ride. Whenever we will, we can drown them, without a chance to scream or get saved. It is a mercy from us that we assign for them a predetermined life span. (Ya Seen 36.41-44).

One person who escaped death was reported to have said that he survived because he had too much to live for. Perhaps he did not know:

God is the one who moves you on the land and the sea. Thus, when they ride the sea, and the ships are driven with good wind, they rejoice. But when violent wind blows, and waves surround them and they think they lost all hope, they remember God and sincerely implore Him alone, "If You save us from this one, we will be appreciative." However, as soon as He saves them, they transgress throughout the land. O people, your transgression is only against yourselves. You temporarily live in this world, then you return to us, and then we will inform you of everything you did. (Yoonus 10.22-23).