Natural disasters mean challenging times for humanity
Words become inadequate and nothing is left to say at times. The wreckage of an earthquake breaks all pure hearts, the flame of a fire singes all sensitive hearts, and a flood or an epidemic opens heavy wounds on every intact conscience. From east to west, from north to south, millions of people from different geographies, faiths, languages, and colors come together with the same sentiment. The conscience of humanity becomes a single conscience. The most powerful universal language of humanity is the language of conscience, and pain is experienced again in every misfortune and calamity. In any disaster zone, the fact that people from different geographies of the world turn into a single heart with the same hope, sadness, and resolve reveals the most powerful resource to heal and beautify life.
Human beings think about, discuss, and question the meaning of life and the wisdom of existence more deeply following natural disasters
Human beings need a reasonable explanation of what is happening. At this point, first of all, it is necessary to consider human beings and the universe as a whole. As a matter of fact, the universe we are in, the Earth, the sky, and everything in between was created by Allah the Almighty with a divine order and infallible measure, based on a purpose and wisdom (Qamar, 54:49; Yunus, 10:5). Every created being has a mission in the universe, and every object has a wisdom in the context of the continuation of life. In the Holy Qur’an, it is stated that the Earth was created as a suitable ground for human life and that the mountains have a function that ensures the balance of the Earth (Naba, 78: 6-7). It is a fact that the features of nature that come to the fore in the context of natural disasters or the accumulation of energy under the ground have certain functions in terms of the balance of the Earth. For example, while rain is a great blessing for the Earth, it can cause major catastrophes as a result of deforestation and destruction of nature. The important point here, which should not be neglected, is that human beings should be aware of this reality when determining their relationship with nature.
The human being has a special position and duty in the world of existence
The most fundamental duty of human beings on earth—who are endowed with many superior qualities, especially the blessing of reason, and are subjected to divine guidance through revelation—is to realize the purpose and wisdom of their existence and to live in accordance with it. By sincerely believing in the Lord of the Worlds and under the guidance of revelation, is to be the guarantor of goodness, mercy, good morals, and justice on earth. In this context, human beings have responsibilities towards their Lord, themselves, their family, society, and nature. Human beings’ responsibility towards nature is to utilize its resources without destroying them, with the awareness that nature is a blessing and a trust. It is to take into account the characteristics of nature and the rules of its functioning. When this reality is neglected, many problems will arise, and human beings will be the losers.
Human beings are obliged to live in harmony with nature
In trying to understand natural disasters, we must first take into account whether we are acting in accordance with the natural laws that Allah has set in the universe. Of course, Allah is All-Powerful. He has the power to do whatever He wills in whatever way He wills. He can make non-existence out of existence and existence out of non-existence. There is nothing that can stand against His will. However, He regulates the functioning of the universe with the laws He has established and demands that human beings obey the laws He has imposed on the universe and nature. It is the command of Allah the Almighty to act with a sense of responsibility, to fulfill one's part in matters within one's power, and to take the necessary precautions (Baqarah, 2:195).
Precaution is what makestawakkul meaningful
Tawakkul, which means seeking refuge in Allah and trusting and relying on Him after taking all precautions, is one of the most important principles of Islam. Tawakkul means to surrender oneself to the will of Allah as the supreme power above all causes and measures after making thorough preparations. According to Islam, which regards both reason and intellect as important values and great blessings, human beings are obliged to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves from disasters.
Nothing in the universe can occur outside of Allah's knowledge and creation
Ultimately, everything, good or bad, difficult or easy, is a test for human beings. Human beings may be subjected to troubles and calamities, sometimes due to their own mistakes and sometimes against their will. They may face crises even though they have taken all precautions. All of these situations are processes that reveal their fortitude, patience, and gratitude. In the Holy Qur’an and the hadiths, there is a lot of information and declarations that human beings are tested with difficulties and blessings on Earth. Prophets, the most beloved servants of Allah, lived through the most trying circumstances and harshest trials. As a matter of fact, our beloved Prophet (saw), who was sent as the last prophet and mercy to the worlds, lost his father before he was born, his mother at a young age, his grandfather whom he took refuge with, and grew up experiencing the indescribable feelings of being an orphan. Six of his seven children passed away before him, and as a father who was devoted to his children, he experienced grief and longing in the marrow of his bones. He had to leave his beloved home for the sake of his faith.
When faced with natural disasters, calamities, and hardships, the main duty of believers is to act with patience, wisdom, and fortitude
The world is an arena of struggle. The believer struggles with patience in the face of adversity and responds with gratitude for blessings. In fact, patience does not mean internalizing, taking something for granted, or trivializing it; it means striving to overcome obstacles and eliminate troubles with perseverance, determination, and faith. Gratitude, on the other hand, is to share one's means, one's beloved property, and one's blessings with those in need without expecting anything in return, with the consciousness of faith and servitude, hoping only for Allah's pleasure. Therefore, hard times are also a test of conscience and morality for those who have the means. It is a time to come to the rescue of those in need, to help, and to share their pain and sorrow.
Seeking refuge in Allah through prayers and supplications in difficult times will heal and soothe heavy hearts
It will open paths from the vortex of loneliness and despair to confidence and hope. The realization of a supreme being who knows everything and has infinite mercy will strengthen spirituality. Prayer has a feature that heals the heart and brings peace. Prayer is taking refuge in the Lord of the Worlds. It is to present one’s state to Him. Allah, who has absolute power and might, says, “Invoke Me and I will respond to you.” (Ghafir, 40:60) On the other hand, the belief that the world is a temporary testing ground and that in the Hereafter, real life, everything will be recompensed in full and divine justice will be realized, is a great blessing that will comfort and strengthen people in their struggle against troubles, calamities, and misfortunes. As a matter of fact, those who are patient and struggle in the best way against the hardships and suffering in this world will have a great reward and eternal peace and prosperity in the Hereafter (Baqarah, 2:155). On the other hand, our sublime religion, Islam, considers those who lose their lives in natural disasters as martyrs. In one of his hadiths, our Prophet (saw) says that those who lose their lives “by burning, drowning, being trapped under debris” are martyrs (Nasa’i, Jihad, 48; Ibn Majah, Jihad, 17).
We are anguished and grieving as a country
We are going through an unprecedented calamity. We are waging an epic struggle as a nation against the aftermath of the catastrophic earthquakes, which is one of the most difficult circumstances that a country or nation can experience. In every house, neighborhood, street, and city of our country, there is a major collective effort to provide aid for the earthquake region. All institutions and non-governmental organizations have mobilized their means. The aid coming from all over the world is also an expression of how our nation extends its helping hand to all parts of the world. The patience, perseverance, and determination demonstrated by our great nation in the aftermath of the earthquakes have shown that we can overcome all adversities. Türkiye will undoubtedly heal its wounds, recover, and continue to move forward with hope.
