CALAMITIES --- WHY?

Jamiat Ulema, South Africa      

Society is currently plagued by crime, fear, murder strife and dissension. Statistical records for theft, murder, drug addiction, crime and rape forecast an alarming and bleak future for man. Every day heralds greater turmoil, disaster and sorrow than the day before. Life has degenerated to moral, social and political disorder and chaos.

The Holy Quraan states:
“Corruption has appeared on land and sea on account of the doings of man” (30:41). This world is the abode of “cause and effect”. Man creates circumstances and Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) brings about the consequences. The Prophet Mojammad (SalAllaho alaihe wa sallam) had said “No harm, either small or great afflicts a man, except on account of sin. Yet what Allah forgives thereof (i.e. his sins) is far greater. He then recited (a verse of the Quraan, which is translated as) “And whatever calamity afflicts you, it is on account of what your hands have earned and He forgives much more”. (Mishkaatul Masaabeeh)

Calamities - As a Result of Sin
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Umar narrates: “I was among ten people who came to the Prophet (SalAllaho alaihe wa sallam) from the Muhajireen (Migrants for the cause of Allah, Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa). The Prophet (SalAllaho alaihe wa sallam) said:

“O Muhajireen! There are five things. I ask Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa)’s refuge (lest) you fall prey to them.
1. When shamelessness becomes prevalent and the norm (among people), they would become entangled in plague and in such diseases that never existed during the time of their forefathers.
2. When a nation cheats in measure (practices fraud), they would be afflicted by drought, hardships and an oppressive ruler.
3. When a nation stops paying Zakaah (obligatory charity), they would be deprived of rain. If it were not for the animals it would never have rained.
4. When people break promises, Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) sets over them enemies from another nation, who will usurp their belongings.
5. When their leaders refrain from giving verdicts according to the commands of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa), He subjects them to murder and civil strife. (lbne Maajah)

Disobedience to Parent
The Prophet (SalAllaho alaihe wa sallam) stated: “Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) forgives all sins of those whom He wants to, except disobedience to parents. Its punishment is swiftly meted out to him in this world (prior to his death). (lbne Maajah)

Neglect of Enjoining Virtue And Forbidding Evil
Hadhrat Jaabir states that the Prophet (SalAllaho alaihe wa sallam) had stated, “When an individual commits sins (openly) in a community and the community in spite of its authority over him does not prevent him from sinning, Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa)’s punishment descends on them even before death. (Mishkaatul Masaabeeh)

Calamities as a Spiritual Cleaning
Hadhrat Aayishah states that the Prophet (SalAllaho alaihe wa sallam) had said: When the sins of a slave becomes excessive and he does not have (enough) deeds to compensate for them, Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) subjects him to sorrow, so that may compensate for his (sins). (Mishkaatul Masaabeeh)

Hadhrat Abu Saeed al Khudri reported that the Prophet (Sal-Allaho alaihe wa sallam) had stated:

“No Muslim is ever afflicted with any calamity, pain, anxiety, sorrow, harm or disaster, up to the extent of a thorn that pierces him, except that Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) forgives his sins thereby. (Mishkaatul Masaabeeh)

Calamities as a Sign of the Love of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa)
Hadhrat Anas reports that the Prophet (SalAllaho alaihe wa sallam) said:

“The magnitude of reward is in proportion to the magnitude of the trial. When Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) loves a people He subjects them to tests. Whoever is pleased (with the decree of Allah, Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa)) for him shall be the pleasure of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) and whoever is displeased, for him shall be the displeasure of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa).

Hadhrat Aayishah states:
“I did not see anybody experiencing more pain than Prophet (SalAllaho alaihe wa sallam) (i.e. because he was the closest to Allah, Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa).” (Mishkaatul Masaabeeh)

Appropriate Response
“It is those who believe and confound not their belief with wrong doing. These! theirs is the security and they are the guided.” (6:82)

The Prophet Mohammad (SalAllaho alaihe wa sallam) stated:
“Protect your possessions through the payment of Zakaah, treat your sick by giving (Sadaqah (voluntary charity) and face the waves of affliction with Du’aa (supplications) and humility. (Aba Dawood)

Display Gratitude — Shukr
Ingratitude displayed by greed, extravagance, stinginess and pride gives rise to fear, anxiety and poverty.

The Holy Quraan states:
“Allah sets forth a parable of a city that enjoyed security and contentment, it sustenance came to it abundantly from every place yet it displayed ingratitude to the favors of Allah, so Allah made it taste the garb of poverty and terror, because of the (evil) which (its people) wrought”. (16:112)

Clean Sustenance — Halaal Rizq
Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) has declared war on those who indulge in Ribaa (interest & usury). The Holy Quraan states:

“If you desist not (from Ribaa) be informed of war (declared against you) by Allah and His Messenger. (2:279)

The Prophet (SalAllaho alaihe wa sallam) has stated:
“Most certainly a man is deprived of Rizq (sustenance) on account of sins that he indulges in. (Mishkaatul Masaabeeh)

Repentence – Taubah & Istighfaar
The Prophet (SalAllaho alaihe wa sallam) has been said as saying that a person who makes “Istighfaar” excessively and habitually. Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) opens a way for him during every trial and hardship. He relieves him from worries and sorrows and grants him sustenance from a source beyond his imagination. 

Conclusion
No calamity or hardship occurs coincidentally. Nothing happens by chance or ill-luck. Everything that befalls a believer has a meaning, though it is often hard to grasp. Hardship and sorrow may well serve as a punishment, a spiritual cleansing or a means of elevation in Aakhirah (the Hereafter). We need to reflect on our lifestyles, are we not inviting the wrath of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) through extravagance, dealing in Ribaa, disrespecting our parents and encouraging immodesty and shamelessness in our homes?

How relevant is the law of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) and His Prophet (SalAllaho alaihe wa sallam) in our lives? Do we decide and resolve issues based on the teachings of the Holy Quraan and the Sunnah (Tradition of Holy Prophet, SalAllaho alaihe wa sallam).

What importance do we attach, to our promises? Do we deliberately deceive people and betray their trusts?

Do we simply turn a blind eye to the vices perpetrated before us? Are we not obliged to enjoin virtue and prohibit evil?

Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) emphatically states:
“Whatever good befalls you is as a result of the mercy (from Allah and whatever harm afflict you is on account of the doings) of yourselves. (4:79)

He further states:
“Those prior to them (the Polytheists — Mushriks) had also belied (the word of Allah) so the punishment came to them from avenues that they did not perceive. Allah made them taste “Disgrace” in the life of this world and most assuredly the punishment of the hereafter is very much more intense.” (39:25,26)

Our salvation depends on our actions and deeds. Our prosperity hinges on our Taqwaa (piety). Our very future is determined by our past. The “present’ is the time to repent and make amends.

SUGGESTED DU’AAS

Duaa when leaving home:

Hadhrat Anas has stated that the Prophet (SalAllaho alaihe wa sallam) said:

“Whoever recites the above Du’aa when leaving home, it is said to him (by the angels), ‘You shall be guided, you (i.e. your needs) shall be taken care of and you will be protected. Shaitaan (Satan) then flees from him. (Tirmizi)

Dua when terrified or fearful of a person

“O Allah! Grant us safety against him as you please.” (Muslim)

Dua For Protection
Hadhrat Muhalla bin Abi Sufura states that a Sahaabi (companion) heard the Prophet (SalAllaho alaihe wa sallam) saying (whilst in Jihad), “If you are attacked read:

(Abu Dawood, Tirmizi)
O Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa)! Save us from every “Balaa” (tests and calamities) of this world and the punishment in the Aakhirah. Aameen!