As I wrote this Hurricane Sandy is bearing down on North-East US and experts are predicting this to be deadly in terms of damage to property and loss of wealth because of the unique atmospheric conditions and unusually warm water temperatures.
North-East US also has a large and vibrant Muslim Diaspora along the coast so if this hurricane does make landfall it is likely to cause financial damage to Muslim businesses etc. At times of calamities we should reflect upon the following verse of the Quraan:
When (and if) Hurricane Sandy hits Muslims and Non-Muslims may be affected in equal measure as the ferocity of winds and fury of water will seem to have a mind of its own except that we know that all those whom Allah (SWT) wills will be spared and protected!
The agnostic and the materialist will simply shrug his shoulders and say I cant change the future so lets bunker down, setup defences and protect as much as I can.
But the who one believes in Allah (SWT) should say lets repent (make Taubah) turn to Allah (SWT), ask for his Mercy and then bunker down, setup defences and protect as much I we can.
The agnostic and the materialist assumes that events are cyclic, a series of cause and effect; once set in motion they cant be changed or altered.
But the who one believes in Allah (SWT) should say I know that Allah (SWT) is the Creator and Controller and not a leaf falls down without the will, permission and consent of Allah (SWT).
The agnostic and the materialist will look at the weather patterns and baton down the hatches and assume the inevitable.
But the who one believes in Allah (SWT) should know that dua can change the future and continuously engage in sincere dua before, during and after he batons down the hatches.
The agnostic and the materialist will look at approaching clouds and huge waves and know that there is no escape.
But the who one believes in Allah (SWT) should remember that when the signs of Allah (SWT)'s punishment appeared on the horizon, Sayyidina Yunus (AS) left the city certain that calamity is about to befall BUT his people repented sincerely and they were spared and emerging calamity with manifest signs was reversed.
The size and intensity of calamity is irrelevant, its our reaction which is of paramount importance.
When we have sickness, marital problems, family problems, financial problems or mere absence of peace and contentment in our heart do we ever STOP and THINK that Allah (SWT) has given us the most powerful weapon of dua which can turn the tide of (calamities) change the direction of emerging storms and deliver us to safety?
Allah (SWT) saved Sayyidina Ibraheem (AS) from the fire, Allah (SWT) saved the people of Sayyidina Musa (AS) from Firaun, Allah (SWT) saved the people of Sayyidina Yunus (AS) from the storm, Allah (SWT) saved Sayyidina Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) & Sayyidina Abu-Bakr (RA) in the cave so why cant the same Allah (SWT) save us and solve our problems?
If we believe that the Power of Allah (SWT) hasnt diminished then we must ACCEPT that the problems lies with us, our Eemaan and our actions.
Fortunately, the Mercy of Allah (SWT) has neither weakened nor diminished as Allah (SWT) has categorically stated in the Quraan:
So those who believe in Allah (SWT) turn to such a Merciful Lord (SWT) who is looking to Forgive & Forget and turn the tide in your favour and take away your problems, troubles and anxieties. In the words of the Qur'aan:
Remember, that our problems and calamites are PETTY compared to the Mercy & Benevolence of Allah (SWT)!