[S.T.D.]

I'm sure we've seen the extent of the disaster in Japan, and remember the great flood in Pakistan and the 2004 tsunami.

I also recall a big earthquake in Pakistan some years ago. Or was it Afghanistan?

So... what is the proper Islamic attitude regarding natural disasters?

Some areas are more susceptible to certain types of disasters. Indonesia near the Ring of Fire has many many volcanoes, and has earthquakes, Bangladesh is prone to flooding due to its flatness and great rivers, Pakistan has great rivers and situated near the Himalayas, so flooding and earthquakes are common.

I don't think the frequency of disasters actually indicates the anger of Allah, otherwise Japan and Pakistan are under a perpetual curse simply due to location in danger zones.

Maybe it's a test, maybe it's an opportunity to display charity and heroism for the sake of Allah?

Am I wrong?

[texprofi]

I'm sure we've seen the extent of the disaster in Japan, and remember the great flood in Pakistan and the 2004 tsunami.

I also recall a big earthquake in Pakistan some years ago. Or was it Afghanistan?

So... what is the proper Islamic attitude regarding natural disasters?

Some areas are more susceptible to certain types of disasters. Indonesia near the Ring of Fire has many many volcanoes, and has earthquakes, Bangladesh is prone to flooding due to its flatness and great rivers, Pakistan has great rivers and situated near the Himalayas, so flooding and earthquakes are common.

I don't think the frequency of disasters actually indicates the anger of Allah, otherwise Japan and Pakistan are under a perpetual curse simply due to location in danger zones.

Maybe it's a test, maybe it's an opportunity to display charity and heroism for the sake of Allah?

Am I wrong?

I have recently gone through an Article of a Pious Scholar Shaykhul Hadith Mawlana Abdul Malek Saheb (DB). He has pointed out the attitudes vividly in light of Quran and Sunnah. I wish to translate it InshaAllah into English. Just one point I clearly remember, Shaykh mentioned that the calamities are NOT ALWAYS due to the sins of the particular region. It is often rather an eye opener for the people of rest of the world. Shaykh warned that every Muslim should blame himself for the disaster and calamities. This was one point - I again mention. Pls pray Allah Taala provides me Tawfeeq to present you this article soon. In the meantime do read this: http://www.4shared.com/document/GH3U...e_of_Natu.html

[texprofi]

Alhamdulillah, South Africa's Pious Scholar, Mufti Ibraheem Salijee (DB) has delivered a lecture on this issue recently! Here's the link:
http://alhaadi.org.za/index.php?opti...=59&Itemid=108

[texprofi]

http://www.alameenlibrary.com/yunus_patel.html

Find this on the page:
Reason for natural disasters
(Tsunamis, Earthquakes, Flooding etc....)

CHANNEL ISLAM Telephonic Interview. 15 March 2011

Duration: 91 minutes