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The Mystery of Creation, Destruction,
and Natural Calamities:
an exposition in light of science and the Qur’an
By S.M. Zakir Hussain (Bangladesh)
Part 1.6
(Author’s e-mail: smzhussains@yahoo.com)
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Table of Contents
Chapter |
Page |
Summary of the Book |
1 |
1. An Introduction to Creation, Destruction and Calamities |
4 |
1.1. What do the sciences say about natural calamities? |
4 |
1. 2. Whom God Does not Destroy |
6 |
1. 3. The Philosophy of Natural Calamities in Light of Science |
8 |
1. 4. The Causes of Poverty and Famine in Light of Economics |
9 |
1. 5. The Causes of Natural Calamities in Light of the Qur’an |
10 |
1. 6. Why We Cannot Learn to Be Wise Even after Losing a Lot |
11 |
2. The Theory |
15 |
3. Some Instances of Mass Destruction and their Causes |
37 |
1. 6. Why We Cannot Learn to Be Wise Even after Losing a Lot:
As we have said already, when we pollute our own judgment by cherishing false notions, we start liking our own way of judging and thus become too blunt to be useful to ourselves. However, occasionally, especially when we find ourselves helpless, we start using our reasoning power to find the causes of our suffering in our own activities. God says:
10:12. And if misfortune touches a man he cries to Us, (while reclining) on his side, or sitting or standing, but when We have relieved him of the misfortune he goes his way as though he had not cried to Us because of a misfortune that afflicted him. Thus is what they do made (seeming) fair to the prodigal.
6:63. Say: Who delivers you from the darkness of the land and the sea? you call upon Him humbly and in secret, (saying): If we are saved from this (fear) we truly will be of the thankful.
6:64. Say: Allah saves you from this and from all affliction. Yet you attribute partners to Him.
6:65. Say: He is able to send punishment upon you from above you or from beneath your feet, or to bewilder you with dissension and make you taste the tyranny one of another. See how We display the revelations so that they may understand.
The mind itself knows who it is appealing to when it is in danger. A frightened mind looks at the right God. And until the mind becomes wise enough, God sends the fruit of our own activities to us in the form of inflictions.
31:31. Have you not seen how the ships glide on the sea by Allah's grace, that He may show you of His wonders? Lo! therein indeed are portents for every steadfast, grateful (heart).
31:32. And if a wave enshrouds them like awnings, they cry to Allah, making their faith pure for Him only. But when He brings them safe to land, some of them compromise. None denies Our signs except every traitor ingrate.
10:22. He it is Who makes you to go on the land and the sea till, when you are in the ships and they sail with them with a fair breeze and they are glad therein, a storm-wind reaches them and the wave comes to them from every side and they think that they are overwhelmed therein; (then) they cry to Allah, making their faith pure for Him only: If You save us from this, we truly will be of the thankful.
Why do we become stupid when we are rescued from a storm or a quake? Because we have learned to think that calamities are essential phenomena and they have no relationship with our morality.
Our doubt, which helps us in acquiring knowledge, makes us act without having to think when we face it toward something we do not like. And that is why we cannot trace the correct causes of events. Even prophets used to have doubt about the revelations they received, which, however, gradually faded away:
10:94. And if you (Muhammad) are in doubt concerning that which We reveal to you, then question those who read the Scripture (that was) before you. Certainly the Truth from your Lord has come to you. So be not you of the waverers.
10:71. Let not your course of action be in doubt for you. Then have at me, give me no respite.
Therefore let us listen to the voice of Truth, so that we do not have to repent in the near future:
7:204. And when the Qur'an is recited, give ear to it and pay heed, that you may obtain mercy.
80:12. So let whosoever will pay heed to it.
64:16. So keep your duty to Allah as best you can, and listen, and obey, and spend; that is better for your souls. And whoso is saved from his own greed, such are the successful.
5:83. When they listen to that which has been revealed to the messengers, you see their eyes overflow with tears because of their recognition of the Truth. They say: Our Lord, we believe. Inscribe us as among the witnesses.
67:10. And they say: Had we been wont to listen or have sense, we had not been among the dwellers in the flames.
2:75. Have you any hope that they will be true to you when a party of them used to listen to the word of Allah, then used to change it, after they had understood it, knowingly?
6:25. Of them are some who listen to you, but We have placed upon their hearts veils, lest they should understand, and in their ears a deafness. If they saw every token they would not believe therein; to the point that, when they come to you to argue with you, the disbelievers say: This is nothing else than stories of the men of old.
3:102. O you who believe! Observe your duty to Allah with right observance, and die not save as those who have surrendered (unto Him)
Author of:
Secret Knowledge of the Qur'an