Question: I have seen on TV many of the calamities that have befallen the Muslim Ummah, in Palestine our wounds are bleeding; in Chechnya our bodies are cut; in Afghanistan our houses are destroyed; in the Philippines and in Kashmir… and now in Iraq. Tomorrow only Allaah knows who will be meet this fate… [Syria’!] Are these calamities and are there things to learn from these calamities?
Answer: Praise be to Allaah. Disasters and calamities have been created for a reason, which none can fully comprehend but Allaah. Some of the things that Allaah has shown to us indicate this. Disasters and calamities are a test of the believer's patience. Allaah says:
"Or think you that you will enter 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 him said, 'When (will come) the Help of Allaah?'Yes! Certainly, the Help of Allaah is near!"(Q2[Baqarah]:214)
This is a sign of man's weakness and his need for his Lord, and shows that he cannot succeed unless he realizes his need for his Lord and starts beseeching Him. Calamities are a means of expiation of sin and raising one's status. The Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhiwa sallam) said:
"There is nothing that be calls a believer, not even a thorn that pricks him, but Allaah will record one good deed for him and will remove one bad deed from him." (Muslim)
Calamities warn against falling short!
It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (RA) said: The Messenger of Allaah (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Trials will continue to befall the believing man and woman, with regard to themselves, their children and their wealth, until they meet Allaah with no sin on them." (Saheeh Tirmidhi)
He also said:
"On the Day of Resurrection, when people who had suffered affliction are given their reward, those who were healthy will wish their skins had been cut to pieces with scissors when they were in the world." (Saheeh Tirmidhi)
One of the greatest reasons behind calamities and trials is to warn against falling short in some matters, so that man can make up for the areas in which he has fallen short. This is like the warning that is issued to an employee or student who is falling short. The purpose behind "it is to make him make up for his shortcomings. If he does that, then all well and good, otherwise he deserves to be punished.
The evidence for that includes the verse:
"Verily, We sent (Messengers) to many nations before you (o Muhammad). And We seized them with extreme poverty (or loss in wealth) and loss in health (with calamities) so that they might humble themselves (believe with humility). When Our Torment reached them, why then did they not humble themselves (believe with humility)? But their hearts became hardened, and Shaytaan (Satan) made fair-seeming to them that which they used to do"(Q6[An'aam]:42)
Calamities as Punishment!
Another reason ... is as a punishment for those who were previously warned, but did not benefit from the warning and mend their ways, and persisted in their sin. Allaah says:
“...so We destroyed them for their sins ...” (Q8[AnfaaI]:54)
And Allaah says: "
And when We decide to destroy a town (population), We (first) send a definite order (to obey Allaah and be righteous) to those among them [or We (first)increase in number those of its population1 who lead a life of luxury. Then, they transgress therein, and thus the word (of torment) is justified against it (them).Then We destroy it with complete destruction"(Q17[lsra']:16)
Ibn Taymiyah (RAH) said: "Grief may be accompanied by that for which a person will be rewarded and praised, so it may be good in that sense, not that grief is good in and of itself, such as one who feels sad for falling short in religious matters or for calamities that befall the Muslims. In this case a person will be rewarded for what is in his heart of loving good and hating evil, and so on. However, grief in itself, if it leads to failure to do that which is enjoined, namely patience, jihad, seeking benefits and warding off harm, is forbidden, but if the person does not give it up, and it is not recorded as a sin for him then he is fine."
Calamities result from Disobedience and Sins!
And Allaah says:
"Evil (sins and disobedience to Allaah) has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned (by oppression and evil deeds), that He (Allaah) may make them taste a part of that which they have done, in order that they may return (by repenting to Allaah, and begging His Pardon)"(Q30[al-Room]:41)
al-Sa'di interprets the word Fasaad (translated here as "evil")as referring to the disasters that develop on land and sea, which are making people's lives difficult and causing a lot of problems with regard to their livelihood and wellbeing. And the disasters that befall them themselves, such as diseases, plagues and the like, which happen because of the things their own hands have wrought of evil deeds that can only lead to bad consequences.
This phrase "that He (Allaah) may make them taste apart of that which they have done" means, so that they might know that Allaah is requiting them for their deeds, so He gives them a foretaste of the recompense of their deeds in this world, "in order that they may return (by repenting to Allaah, and begging His Pardon)" i.e., repent from their deeds that have had this bad effect on them, and set their affairs straight. Glory be to the One Who blesses by means of His punishment, for if He were to make them taste all that they have done, no living creature would be left alive on earth.
Calamities & Worship
Worship at times of hardship and tribulation has a special flavour and a special reward. It was narrated from Ma'qil ibn Yasaar that the Prophet (sallaallaahualayhi wa sallam) said:
"Worshipping at times of tribulation and confusion is like migrating to join me."(Muslim).
The reason why worship at such times is of such great virtue is that people become negligent about worship and are distracted from it, and no one focuses on worship except a few." AI-Qurtubi said:"Tribulation and great hardship will happen until the matter of religion is taken lightly and people will care about nothing but their worldly affairs and how to earn a living. So worship becomes very important at times of tribulation.”
Blessings that come after pain, hardship and calamity are more precious to people. So then they appreciate the blessings of good health and safety as they should be appreciated. Calamity may remind the person to whom it happens and others of the blessings of Allaah. So when a person sees one who is insane, he appreciates the blessing of sanity; when he sees one who is sick, he appreciates the blessing of sound health. When he sees a Kaafir [unbeliever] who is living like cattle, he appreciates the blessing of faith. When he sees an ignorant man he appreciates the blessing of knowledge. Only the one whose heart is open will feel this. Those who have no heart do not give thanks for the blessings of Allaah, rather they are arrogant towards the creation of Allaah.
Calamities & Benefits
One of the benefits of tribulations and hardships is purification. Hardships reveal how people really are, and distinguish the good from the bad, the true from the false, the believer from the hypocrite. Allaah says of the Battle of Uhud and what happened to the Muslims on that day, explaining part of the wisdom behind this trial:
"Allaah will not leave the believers in the state in which you are now, until He distinguishes the wicked from the good" (Q3[Aal-lmraan]:179).
So the true nature of all things is shown dearly.
When Muslims help those Muslims who have been afflicted by calamity, they will be rewarded for that. The Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wa salla/am) said:
"The likeness of the believers in their mutual love, mercy and compassion is that of the body; when one part of it suffers, the rest of the body joins it in staying awake and suffering fever." (Bukari).
And he also said:
"None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself" (Muslim)
-At times of hardship and war we see the true meaning of the words of Allaah:
"Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety)"(Q5[al-Maa'idah]:2).
Ways of cooperating in Da'wah and supporting Islam include: waging jihad against the kuffaar and hypocrites for the sake of Allaah, joining with the people of Islamic Da'wah in fighting the followers of kufr and misguidance, and preparing all means and tools for Jihad for the sake of Allaah.
Du'aa' at times of Calamities!
The Prophet (sallaallsaahu alayhi wa sallam) used to seek refuge with Allaah a great deal from trials and tribulations, and he said:
"Seek refuge with Allaah from trials and tribulations, both visible and hidden."(Muslim).
Also, he said that Allaah said:
"o Muhammad, when you pray, then say: 'Allaahummainni as'aluka fi'l al-khayraat wa tark al-munkaraat, wahubb al-masaakeen wa an taghfira li wa tarhamaniwa tataaba 'alayya wa in aradta bi 'ibaadika fitnatan faqbidni ilayka ghayra maftaan (O Allaah, I ask You (to enable me) to do good deeds and avoid evil deeds and to love the poor and (I ask You) to forgive me have mercy on me and accept my repentance. If You will that some trial should befall Your slaves then take me to You [i.e.cause me to die] without having subjected to that trial)."(Tirmidhi, saheeh)
The Prophet
(sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) used to seek refuge from trials and tribulations because when they come they befall everyone and not the wrongdoers only. It is a good idea to acquaint ourselves with the Ahaadeeth that mention Dhikrs[remembrances] which have to do with trials and tribulations and disasters, so that we may call upon Allaah with these words and spread this knowledge and memorize whatever we can of them ... and understand their meanings so that we can worship Allaah by means of them. Abu Burdah ibn 'Abd-Allaah narrated from his father that when the Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) was afraid ofsome people he would say:
"Allaahumma innanaj'aluka fi nuhaarihim wa na'aadhu bika minshuraarihim (O Allaah, we place You before them and we seek refuge in You from their evil)." (Saheeh Abu Dawood)
The Messenger of Allaah (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) used to say at times of distress:
"Laa ilaaha illa-Allaah al-'Azeem al-Haleem laa ilaaha illa-Allaah Rabb al-'Arsh al-'azeem laa ilaaha illa-Allaah Rabb ul-samawaatiwa Rabb ul-ard wa Rabb ul-'Arsh il-kareem (There is no god but Allaah, the All-Powerful, the Forbearing, there is no god but Allaah, Lord of the mighty. Throne; there is no god but Allaah, Lord of heaven. Lord of earth, and Lord of the noble Throne)."(Bukhaari).
He also said:
"The words of relief are: Laailaaha illa-Allaah al-'Azeem al-Haleem, laa ilaaha illa-Allaah Rabb al-'Arsh al-'azeem laa ilaaha illa-Allaah Rabbul-samawaati wa Rabb ul-ard wa Rabb ul-'Arsh ilkareem (There is no god but Allaah, the All Powerful, the Forbearing; there is no god but Allaah, Lord of the mighty Throne; there is no god but Allaah, Lord of heaven. Lord of earth and Lord of the noble Throne)." (Saheeh al-Jaami' al-Sagheer)
The Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Shall I not tell you of something that if any worldly calamity or disaster befalls any man among you and he says these words, he will be relieved of it. (It is) the du'aa' of Dhu'l-Noon: 'Laa ilaaha illa anta subhaanaka inni kumu minal-zaalimeen' (None has the right to be worshipped but You (o Allaah). Glorified (and Exalted) be You[above all that (evil) they associate with You]! Truly. I have been of the wrongdoers)."
According to another report: "No Muslim man says this du'aa' concerning anything but Allaah will answer his prayer."(Saheeh al-Jaami' al-Sagheer)
The Messenger of Allaah (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "The du'aa' of the person who is in distress is:
'Allaahumma rahmataka arjaafalaa takilni ilaa nafsitarfat ‘ayn wa aslih li sha'ni kullahu laa ilaaha ilia anta (O Allaah, for Your mercy I hope, so do not leave me in charge of my affairs even for the blink of an eye, rectify all my affairs. There is no god except You)” (Saheeh Abi Dawood)
Finally, we should be content with that which has been narrated in authentic reports from the Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam), for that is sufficient and we have no need for reports that are not sound. And Allaah knows best.
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited