Key lessons we can take from the LA fires

There are a number of facts that will help the Muslim to understand what happened in Los Angeles, and is continuing to happen, in relation to his or her position. [1]

BACKGROUND

Wildfires in Southern California have been raging since 7 January, with Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties affected
The largest of the fires, the Palisades Fire, has a perimeter of more than 37.1 square miles
63 square miles has already burnt; for comparison, Gaza is around 141 square miles in size
25 people have died and at least 24 remain missing, with over 200,000 evacuated and 12,401 buildings destroyed or damaged
Wealthy individuals including Hollywood actors and actresses reside in the area, with many holding a pro-Zionist stance
Actor James Woods made headlines while crying at the loss of his home; he had said of Gaza, 'no ceasefire, no compromise, no forgiveness, kill them all' and is now asking for the fire to cease

Nothing happens arbitrarily

Predestination

Everything happens by the will of Allah (jalla wa ‘ala), according to predestination.

This means, Allah willed that this raging fire would take place at this specific time, specific day, and specific location.

Allah (subḥānahu wa ta’āla) says in the Qur’ān,

إِنَّا كُلَّ شَىْءٍ خَلَقْنَـٰهُ بِقَدَرٍۢ

“Indeed, We have created everything, perfectly preordained.” [2]

And He says,

ٱلَّذِى لَهُۥ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَمْ يَتَّخِذْ وَلَدًۭا وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُۥ شَرِيكٌۭ فِى ٱلْمُلْكِ وَخَلَقَ كُلَّ شَىْءٍۢ فَقَدَّرَهُۥ تَقْدِيرًۭا

“[Allah is] the One to Whom belongs the kingdom of the Heavens and the Earth, Who has never had [any] offspring, nor does He have a partner in [governing] the kingdom. He has created everything, ordaining it precisely.” [3]

Therefore, whenever He wants something to happen, He (subḥānahu wa ta’āla) will decree that nature behave in a particular way, such that His Qadr manifests.

Environmental conditions

And as for all of the typical scientific factors that exist in any catastrophe, it is clear that Allah (jalla wa ‘ala) decrees that they all follow His command.

Indeed, meteorologists had observed that, prior to this fire, the United States had just experienced its fourth-hottest summer on record. [4]

In Los Angeles County, there had been an extremely unusual amount of rain since May 2024, with 0.16 inches or 4.1mm — eight months of drought or near-drought conditions. [5]

In addition, the winters of 2022 and 2023 had exceptional amounts of rain, with some arguing that this provided grasses with ample opportunity to grow before severe dry conditions emerged. [5]

A wildfire specialist at the University of California, Santa Barbara, Max Moritz, said,

“We haven’t had any substantial rain for hundreds of days.” [6]

Scientists are also observing that extremely strong seasonal winds in California — specifically referred to as the Santa Ana winds — have been exacerbating the situation. [6]

Such ferocious winds have been an obstacle in firefighting efforts.

Wisdom of Allah

Some are known; others are unknown

The divine wisdom behind any catastrophe is multifaceted.

There are different types of wisdoms — some of which we are aware of, and some of which we have no understanding.

If we do not know all of the wisdoms behind such an event, that is not to say that there is no wisdom! And it is not that we simply refer to the event as something that is “natural”.

Allah (jalla wa ‘ala) says,

وَمَا خَلَقْنَا ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا لَـٰعِبِينَ مَا خَلَقْنَـٰهُمَآ إِلَّا بِٱلْحَقِّ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

“And We did not create the Heavens and Earth and that between them in play. We did not create them except in truth, but most of them do not know.” [7]

We should remind one another that Allah (subḥānahu wa ta’āla) is al-Hakīm, al-Alīm, and al-Khabīr; He does not do anything without wisdom.

As much as Allah has gifted us intellect to comprehend our surroundings, we must seek to understand the wisdoms behind catastrophes.

Yes, we cannot confirm all of the wisdom behind such incidents with complete certainty — because this is related to the Unseen. However, by reviewing the Qur’ān and the Sunnah, we can imagine some of the wisdoms that Allah (jalla wa ‘ala) intended.

Reasons behind calamities

He (subḥānahu wa ta’āla) tells us that there are different types of wisdom behind catastrophes and calamities.

Allah says,

وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَآ إِلَىٰٓ أُمَمٍۢ مِّن قَبْلِكَ فَأَخَذْنَـٰهُم بِٱلْبَأْسَآءِ وَٱلضَّرَّآءِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَضَرَّعُونَ

“And We have already sent [messengers] to nations before you, [O Muhammad]; then We seized them with poverty and hardship that perhaps they might humble themselves [to Us].” [8]

And He says,

ظَهَرَ ٱلْفَسَادُ فِى ٱلْبَرِّ وَٱلْبَحْرِ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِى ٱلنَّاسِ لِيُذِيقَهُم بَعْضَ ٱلَّذِى عَمِلُوا۟ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ

“Corruption has appeared throughout the land and sea by [reason of] what the hands of people have earned so He [i.e. Allah] may let them taste part of [the consequence of] what they have done that perhaps they will return [to righteousness].” [9]

Where Allah (jalla wa ‘ala) mentions fasād, this includes both corruption and catastrophes.

And there are many other verses of the Qur’ān related to this principle — that Allah causes calamities and catastrophes so people might go back to Him (jalla wa ‘ala).

Responding with arrogance?

When such calamities take place, people should not behave in an arrogant way.

It is not right to characterise these events as “scientific incidents”. Such calamities also happen to believers. Take, for example, the 2023 twin earthquakes in Türkiye, which happened while it was supporting other Muslims.

As believers, we should go back to Allah (subḥānahu wa ta’āla), repent to Him, think about the kinds of sins we have committed, and ask people to do the same. Indeed, we offered the same advice when calamity struck Türkiye.

Different kinds of expectation

And now we say the same thing to the Americans — Muslims and non-Muslims — look at the types of sins you have committed, go back to your Lord, and reflect upon your lives.

It is true that Allah wants more of a response from non-Muslims, because they do not submit to Him, whereas with Muslims, they submit to Allah and He wants them to repent.

From both Muslims and non-Muslims, Allah (subḥānahu wa ta’āla) wants those affected by calamities to repent and reflect upon that. Non-Muslims should ultimately embrace Islam; Muslims should abandon sins and return to Him.

However, Muslims must also continue to prepare and seek the power to defeat their enemies, irrespective of the calamities that Allah brings to parts of the world. We should not rely upon His punishments in order to make progress against our enemies.

Calamities generally occur due to arrogance

In most cases, Allah delivers catastrophes to people when they act unjustly, and especially when they show arrogance.

Allah sees the sins people have committed, but at times He will delay calamities so that the people may return to Him.

However, He becomes severely angry when He sees people showing arrogance, and commit injustice against others, so He sends punishment to them.

This is why the Prophet ﷺ said,

مَا مِنْ ذَنْبٍ أَجْدَرُ أَنْ يُعَجِّلَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى لِصَاحِبِهِ الْعُقُوبَةَ فِي الدُّنْيَا – مَعَ مَا يَدَّخِرُ لَهُ فِي الآخِرَةِ – مِثْلُ الْبَغْىِ وَقَطِيعَةِ الرَّحِمِ

“There is no sin more fit to have punishment meted out by Allah to its perpetrator in advance in this world along with what He stores up for him in the next world than oppression and severing ties of relationship.” [10]

Why Muslims are afflicted by calamities

In the Qur’ān, Allah speaks about peoples that were destroyed due to their sinful ways.

For example,

وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَخْذُ رَبِّكَ إِذَآ أَخَذَ ٱلْقُرَىٰ وَهِىَ ظَـٰلِمَةٌ ۚ إِنَّ أَخْذَهُۥٓ أَلِيمٌۭ شَدِيدٌ

“And thus is the seizure of your Lord when He seizes the cities while they are committing wrong. Indeed, His seizure is painful and severe.” [11]

And He says,

وَلَقَدْ أَهْلَكْنَا ٱلْقُرُونَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَمَّا ظَلَمُوا۟ ۙ وَجَآءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ وَمَا كَانُوا۟ لِيُؤْمِنُوا۟ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ

“And We had already destroyed generations before you when they wronged, and their messengers had come to them with clear proofs, but they were not to believe. Thus do We recompense the criminal people.” [12]

While it is true that these verses speak about previous nations, the divine principle is still applicable to us.

Previous nations were destroyed completely, but the nation of Muhammad ﷺ and Ummat al-Da’wah — i.e. those invited to Islam but yet to accept — will not be subjected to the same fate. But there might be some level of destruction in parts, with the same wisdom.

Undoubtedly, when there are catastrophes, innocent people will be affected, but as the Prophet ﷺ said, they will be resurrected according to their intention.

Allah deals with oppressors when He chooses

US support of Zionist state

The American federal administration has been showing a lot of injustice and dhulm.

People had been asking Allah, what He is going to do to them. They asked, doesn’t Allah see?

Of course He sees! It is that — as He tells us in the Qur’ān — He delays in order that such people may go back to Him.

But at a certain point, He does not tolerate this injustice and arrogance, especially that shown by the American government for sending weapons to kill the innocent people of Gaza.

The Prophet ﷺ said,

“Verily, Allah gives respite to the oppressor. But when He seizes him, He does not let him escape.” [13]

Allah knows best when and how to respond, and the most appropriate scale of His response.

Donald Trump’s arrogance

The arrogance demonstrated by President-elect Donald Trump is arguably even worse than the current administration.

On 7 January — the day the fires began — he said, if the Gazan people do not surrender to what he wants, “all hell will break out in the Middle East.” [14]

SubhānAllah!

From reflecting upon the Qur’ān and Sunnah, we can see that Allah (jalla wa ‘ala) showed Trump that He is the One who owns the fire of Hell, and He showed Trump that He is the One who can cause Hell on Earth.

Allah (subḥānahu wa ta’āla) could send other catastrophes, but as the Prophet said,

“…no-one punishes with fire except the Lord of fire.” [15]

American non-Muslims are reflecting on US policies

It is a fact that this catastrophe has led to non-Muslims beginning to reflect on their federal government’s unjust policies, particularly in regard to Gaza.

Some have already made a direct link between the fires and Gaza, based on the federal government’s aiding and abetting of the Zionist regime.

In addition, there is the evolving news of a possible deal between the genocidalist regime of Israel and the resistance, and of Trump applying pressure on Israel to accept such an agreement, especially because, after this devastating fire, the US does not have the economic stability to support them.

We must all submit to the power of Allah

Be assured that Allah is monitoring everything that happens on this Earth, He is Mudabbir al-Akwān, the Disposer of the Universe.

Allah says in the Qur’ān,

وَمَكَرُوا۟ وَمَكَرَ ٱللَّهُ ۖ وَٱللَّهُ خَيْرُ ٱلْمَـٰكِرِينَ

“And they [i.e. the disbelievers] planned, but Allah planned. And Allah is the best of planners.” [16]

And He says,

وَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَـٰفِلًا عَمَّا يَعْمَلُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ ۚ إِنَّمَا يُؤَخِّرُهُمْ لِيَوْمٍۢ تَشْخَصُ فِيهِ ٱلْأَبْصَـٰرُ

“And never think that Allah is unaware of what the wrongdoers do. He only delays them [i.e. their account] for a Day when eyes will stare [in horror].” [17]

Allah has His own plans. We need to show Him that we have utmost confidence and trust in Him, that we rely upon Him, that we beg him to help us.

In the meantime, we must do whatever we can to help our brothers and sisters in Gaza, and all Muslims who are suffering from oppression around the world.

Contemplate over the fire of Hell

The ongoing fire in Los Angeles and all other calamities that befall this world should act as a reminder for us to accept the power of Allah (subḥānahu wa ta’āla).

We cannot afford to show an ounce of arrogance, nor to challenge His rule over everything in this world.

And this fire is a clear call for all of us to remember the Hereafter, particularly the fire of Hell.

Try and put the following into perspective: if this is the fire of the Dunya, what will the fire of Hell be like?

As Allah warns us,

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ قُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَكُمْ وَأَهْلِيكُمْ نَارًۭا وَقُودُهَا ٱلنَّاسُ وَٱلْحِجَارَةُ عَلَيْهَا مَلَـٰٓئِكَةٌ غِلَاظٌۭ شِدَادٌۭ لَّا يَعْصُونَ ٱللَّهَ مَآ أَمَرَهُمْ وَيَفْعَلُونَ مَا يُؤْمَرُونَ

“O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones, over which are [appointed] angels, harsh and severe; they do not disobey Allah in what He commands them but do what they are commanded.” [18]

And as He also says,

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا سَوْفَ نُصْلِيهِمْ نَارًاۖ كُلَّمَا نَضِجَتْ جُلُودُهُم بَدَّلْنَـٰهُمْ جُلُودًا غَيْرَهَا لِيَذُوقُواْ ٱلْعَذَابَۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًا

“Indeed, those who disbelieve in Our verses — We will drive them into a fire. Every time their skins are roasted through, We will replace them with other skins so they may taste the punishment. Indeed, Allah is ever Exalted in Might and Wise.” [19]

May Allah (jalla wa ‘ala) protect us from the Hellfire, forgive us of our sins, and allow us to return to Him before we return to Him.

Source: Islam21c

Notes

[1] https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/la-fires-california-map-live-palisades-damage-wind-warning-b2679025.html

[2] al-Qur’ān, 54:49

[3] al-Qur’ān, 25:2

[4] https://www.noaa.gov/news/us-sweltered-through-its-4th-hottest-summer-on-record

[5] https://earth.org/3-facts-about-californias-climate-that-explain-the-la-fires/

[6] https://www.nbcnews.com/weather/wildfires/what-fueled-la-fires-dry-conditions-wind-rcna186801

[7] al-Qur’ān, 44:38-39

[8] al-Qur’ān, 6:42

[9] al-Qur’ān, 30:41