Lessons from Morocco's quake and Libya's floods

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds, and may peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions.

Contents

Precise determination: catastrophes and divine plan Silver lining in calamities Life is a test Expiation of sins Wiping of sins is good for believers Repentance and forgiveness in hardship humble the heart Calamities are a test of compassion Support in whatever way you can Make du’ā for the affected Action points Also read

On behalf of the Muslim community, we extend our deepest condolences to the people of Morocco and Libya, especially to those affected by the recent earthquake and floods that have brought devastation and loss to your communities.

The effects of these disasters uncover the sad realities about the readiness of such countries to face them.

It is devastating to know that millions of dollars are spent on war, sports, and entertainment, and yet the infrastructure is so poor, that it increases the impact of such calamities.

Precise determination: catastrophes and divine plan

Once we witness such catastrophes, we should immediately remember Allah.

Remember that these catastrophes happened according to His will and Qadr, as He (subḥānahu wa ta’āla) says,

“Indeed, We have created everything, perfectly preordained.” [1]

And He also says,

“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.” [2]

Silver lining in calamities

We should remind ourselves that there is a lot of wisdom behind them.

Here are three fundamental reasons:

Life is a test

It is definitely a test for all of us, especially for those who are affected by catastrophes. This life is a test.

“He is the One Who created death and life in order to test which of you is best in deeds. And He is the Almighty, All-Forgiving.” [3]

Expiation of sins

It is a means of the expiation of sins.

Abu Hurayrah (radiy Allāhu ‘anhu) reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) said,

“A Muslim does not encounter fatigue, tiredness, concern, sorrow, injury, or grief, or even a thorn which pricks him, without Allah expiating his errors for him by that.” [4]

Wiping of sins is good for believers

The expiation of sins is definitely a means of goodness for Muslims, as it will lead them to higher places in Jannah.

This confirms that such calamities are a mercy from Allah to His people.

Repentance and forgiveness in hardship humble the heart

All Muslims, especially those who were affected by the earthquake and the floods, should repent to Allah and ask Him for forgiveness. Allah wants this.

He (subḥānahu wa ta’āla) says,

“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].

“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.” [5]

Calamities are a test of compassion

These calamities are also tests for those who were not affected by them directly.

Allah (‘azza wa jal) wants to see what we do… are we going to help our brothers and sisters, or are we going to leave them alone?

“And if Allah had willed, He could have taken vengeance upon them [Himself], but [He ordered armed struggle] to test some of you by means of others.” [6]

Support in whatever way you can

It is a call for all of us to try our best to help our brothers and sisters in Morocco and Libya as much as we can.

Abu Hurayrah (radiy Allāhu ‘anhu) reported that the Messenger (ﷺ) of Allah said,

“Verily, Allah, the Exalted, and Glorious, will say on the Day of Resurrection,

‘O son of Adam, I was ill but you did not visit Me.’

He would answer,

‘O my Rabb, how could I visit you and You are the Rabb of the worlds?’

Thereupon, He (subḥānahu wa ta’āla) would say:

‘Did you not know that such and such a slave of Mine was ill, but you did not visit him? Did you not realise that if you had visited him (you would have known that I was aware of your visit to him, for which I would reward you), you would have found Me with him?

‘O son of Adam, I asked food from you, but you did not feed Me.’

He would submit,

‘My Rabb, how could I feed You and You are the Rabb of the worlds?’

He (subḥānahu wa ta’āla) would say,

‘Did you not know that such and such a slave of Mine asked you for food, but you did not feed him? Did you not realise that if you had fed him, you would certainly have found (its reward) with Me?

‘O son of Adam, I asked water from you, but you did not give it to Me.’

He would reply,

‘My Rabb, how could I give You (water) and You are the Rabb of the worlds?’

Thereupon, He (subḥānahu wa ta’āla) would say,

‘Such and such a slave of Mine asked you for water to drink, but you did not give it to him. Did you not realise that if you had given him to drink, you would have found (its reward) with Me?”‘ [7]

I call upon all Muslims to donate generously and tighten their spending a little bit, in order to be able to donate more for our brothers and sisters in Morocco and Libya.

Furthermore, I also call upon Muslim doctors to mobilise themselves or to make themselves available to help those devastated people.

Charities should mobilise as rapidly as possible to help people there.

Make du’ā for the affected

The minimum we can do is sincere du’ā for them.

We ask Allah to bestow His mercy upon the lost ones and to grant sabr and reward for their families and loved ones.

Action points

Remember Allah and that these catastrophes happen according to His will and Qadr.
Feel compassion for brothers and sisters as we are one body of believers.
Offer your assistance in whatever way, shape, or form possible; we must come together and pool our resources.