The world has suddenly been hit by many earthquakes in the last so many days. The earthquakes leave us with a feeling of sadness and awareness simultaneously. As a Believer, we are to prepare for the days to come. Here is what we can do during another earthquake that may hit us or the world when we least expect it.
- Repent and Seek Forgiveness
Allah Almighty has commanded His servants to repent.
وَتُوبُوا إِلَى اللہِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed.
[An-Nur: 31]
In another verse, Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) says:
أَوَلَا يَرَوْنَ أَنَّهُمْ يُفْتَنُونَ فِي كُلِّ عَامٍ مَّرَّةً أَوْ مَرَّتَيْنِ ثُمَّ لَا يَتُوبُونَ وَلَاهُمْ يَذَّكَّرُونَ
Do they not see that they are tried every year once or twice but then they do not repent nor do they remember?
[At-Tawba: 126]
- Engage in Good Deeds
The solar eclipse, lunar eclipse, and earthquakes are signs of Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) through which He reminds us of His punishment so that we may turn away from misdeeds and sins. Therefore, on such occasions, it is important to increase repentance, seeking forgiveness, supplications, and charity. As narrated by Abu Musa in the hadith of eclipse:
The sun eclipsed and the Prophet (ﷺ) got up, being afraid that it might be the Hour (i.e. Day of Judgment). He went to the Mosque and offered the prayer with the longest Qiyam, bowing and prostration that I had ever seen him doing. Then he said, “These signs which Allah sends do not occur because of the life or death of somebody, but Allah makes His worshipers afraid by them. So when you see anything thereof, proceed to remember Allah, invoke Him and ask for His forgiveness.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari: 1059)
In another hadith, mention is made of supplication, Takbeer, prayer and charity. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The sun and the moon are two signs against the signs of Allah; they do not eclipse on the death or life of anyone. So when you see the eclipse, remember Allah and say Takbir, pray and give Sadaqa.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 1044)
Hafiz Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) writes in his commentary on this Hadith:
“This indicates that the command to hasten in remembrance, supplication, seeking forgiveness, and other acts is not specific to two eclipses because the verses are more general.”
(Fath Al-Bari: 2/546)
Thus, it is evident that the command to hasten in remembrance, supplication, seeking forgiveness, etc. is not specific to solar and lunar eclipses only, as the signs are not limited to them.
- Be Kind to the Poor and Needy
During disasters, calamities, floods, and earthquakes, show special mercy and compassion towards the poor and needy. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Have mercy on others and you will be shown mercy. Forgive and Allah will forgive you. Woe to those who stubbornly insist on saying what they have done, and who knowingly persist in wrongdoing.”
(Al-Silsilah al-Sahihah 482, Sahih al-Jami’ 897)
Abdullah bin ‘Amr (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“The merciful are shown mercy by Ar-Rahman. Be merciful on the earth, and you will be shown mercy from Who is above the heavens.
(Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1924)
- Helping those in Distress
It is also our great responsibility to help our afflicted brothers and spare no effort for their rehabilitation, as it is our religious and moral duty, and there is a great reward and recompense with Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) for doing so. It is also necessary to arrange for supplications for forgiveness for the women and men who have passed away. Since these people have suffered sudden and accidental deaths, according to a saying of the Prophet ﷺ, they are among the martyrs. It is their right to receive prayers for forgiveness and elevation of their status, and we should remember them in our prayers.
- Helping Humanity
Helping suffering humanity in times of distress is an act most loved by Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ). The Prophet ﷺ instructed us:
“Among the most beloved of people to Allah is the one who is most beneficial to people, and the most beloved of deeds to Allah is to bring happiness to a fellow Muslim, or to relieve him of distress, or to pay off his debt or to do away with his hunger.”
(Al-Targheeb wa’l-Tarheeb: 2623)
Therefore, we must stand with our brothers in Syria and Turkey, as they are faced painful and difficult times.
We should share their pain and suffering and offer them every possible assistance during this critical and challenging time. We can also extend our support to them through financial contributions.
- Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) Never Disgraces Those Who Help in Times of Trouble
Remember that Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) never disgraces those who help in times of trouble. As Umm al-Mu’minin Khadijah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْھَا) had said to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ at the beginning of revelation:
“Nay! But receive the good tidings! By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you, for by Allah, you keep good relations with your Kith and kin, speak the truth, help the poor and the destitute, entertain your guests generously and assist those who are stricken with calamities.
(Sahih al-Bukhari: 4953)
In another hadith, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever brought his (Muslim) brother out of a discomfort, Allah will bring him out of the discomforts of the Day of Resurrection.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 2442)
- Prioritize Supplication
During earthquakes, it is important to prioritize seeking forgiveness, repentance, and consistent supplication. Especially, one should be diligent in reciting the morning and evening supplications that include supplications for protection. Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ never failed to utter these supplications in the evening and in the morning:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْعَافِيَةَ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْعَفْوَ وَالْعَافِيَةَ فِي دِينِي وَدُنْيَاىَ وَأَهْلِي وَمَالِي اللَّهُمَّ اسْتُرْ عَوْرَتِي وَآمِنْ رَوْعَاتِي اللَّهُمَّ احْفَظْنِي مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَىَّ وَمِنْ خَلْفِي وَعَنْ يَمِينِي وَعَنْ شِمَالِي وَمِنْ فَوْقِي وَأَعُوذُ بِعَظَمَتِكَ أَنْ أُغْتَالَ مِنْ تَحْتِي
O Allah, I ask You for security in this world and in the Hereafter: O Allah! I ask You for forgiveness and security in my religion and my worldly affairs, in my family and my property; O Allah! Conceal my fault or faults, and keep me safe from the things which I fear; O Allah! Guard me in front of me and behind me, on my right hand and on my left, and from above me: and I seek in Your greatness from receiving unexpected harm from below me.”
(Sunan Abi Dawud 5074)
Abu Dawud said: Waki’ said that the word “an-ughtaala-min-tahti” in this supplication refers to swallowing by the earth.
This is a comprehensive prayer that includes requests for personal well-being in this life and the Hereafter, prayers for the well-being of loved ones, seeking refuge from the evil that comes through the creation, and prayers to be safe from Allah’s punishment.
- Give Charity
Whatever you offer to your brothers and sisters in times of trouble, you will receive great rewards in return. Helping those in need also protects us from suffering and problems. Therefore, the Prophet ﷺ advised us to give charity and do good deeds to alleviate the suffering of others:
“Good deeds protect one from evil consequences, and giving charity in secret appeases the anger of the Lord.”
(Sahih al-Jami’ 3796)
اللَّهُمَّ انْصُرْعِبَادَكَ الْمُوَحِّدِيْنَ، اللَّهُمَّ فَرِّجْ هَمَّ الْمَهْمُومِيْنَ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِيْنَ، وَنَفِّسْ كَرْبَ الْمَكْرُوبِيْنَ، وَاقْضِ الدَّيْنَ عَنِ الْمَدِينِيْنَ، وَاشْفِ مَرْضَاهُمْ، وَاغْفِرْ لِمَوْتَاهُم.اللَّهُمَّ آمِنَّا فِي أَوْطَانِنَاوَأَصْلِحْ وُلَاةَ أُمُورِنَا، اللَّهُمَّ إِنَا نَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْوَبَاءِ وَالْغَلَاَءِ، وَالرِّبَا والزِّنا، وَنعوذُ بك من الزَّلَازِلِ وَالْمِحَنِ وَسُوءِالْفِتَنِ مَا ظَهَرَمِنْهَا وَمَا بَطَنَ
O Allah, help your monotheistic servants, O Allah, relieve the distress of the concerned among the Muslims, alleviate the suffering of the afflicted, settle the debts of the indebted, cure the sick, and forgive their deceased. O Allah, make us secure in our homelands and reform our leaders, O Allah, we seek refuge in You from pandemics, high prices, usury, and adultery, and we seek refuge in You from earthquakes, calamities, and evil trials, both apparent and hidden.
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