Guidance of Quran and Hadith regarding natrual disasters. What should be our response to natural disasters. What would Prophet Mohammad do in case of a natural disaster?

1. HOW WOULD
PROPHET
MOHAMMAD(SAW)
RESPOND

2. • What constitutes natural disaster?
• Types of natural disasters
• Devastation of natural disasters
• Worst natural disasters in recent history
• Explanation of scientists
• Human failings as cause of disasters
• Why should Allah(SWT) allow such disasters?
• 3 Reasons for the natural disasters
• How to deal with natural disasters?
• How would Prophet (SAW) respond?
• Follow the footsteps of the Prophet(SAW)

3. • Natural disaster is the massive loss of human life and
properties in the area affected as a consequence of
the power of the natural forces like
earthquake, tsunami, floods, hurricanes, tornado, wind
storms, fires.
• In more than 160 countries, over a quarter of the
population live in areas of high mortality risk from
natural disasters. (Report published by the World Bank)
• “As you put more and more people in [harm’s] way, you
make a disaster out of something that before was just a
natural event,” (Klaus Jacob of Columbia University)

5. • In a matter of seconds a cataclysmic natural
disaster can tear down what took decades or even
centuries to build, killing thousands of humans
• Earthquakes and Tornados irreparably alter once-
familiar landscapes
• Hurricanes sweep in from the open ocean and
demolish practically everything in their path
• Tsunamis and Flash Floods bury all vestiges of
human effort and existence under a terrifying wall
of water many feet deep.

6. • 1970 - Bhola cyclone, the deadliest tropical cyclone
ever recorded, struck East Pakistan (now
Bangladesh) and India's West Bengal killing an
estimated 500,000 people
• 1976 – The magnitude-8 Tangshan earthquake in
China is estimated to have killed somewhere
between 255,000 and 655,000
• Dec. 26, 2004 - The magnitude-9.3 Indian Ocean
earthquake and resulting tsunami is estimated to
have killed more than 225,000

7. • August 2005 - Hurricane Katrina killed more than 1,800
people and is the costliest hurricane in U.S. history
• 2010 – The death toll from the January 12th Haiti
earthquake is about 230,000
• 2012- Hurricane Sandy in NY, NJ coastal areas
Sandy wreaked havoc on parts of the U.S. East Coast. It
killed at least 125 people and is blamed for about $62
billion in damage and other losses. Sandy's pure kinetic
energy for storm surge and wave "destruction potential"
reached a 5.8 on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration's 0 to 6 scale, the highest measured.

8. • Climate change amps up basic factors that contribute
to big storms. Oceans have warmed, providing more
energy for storms. And the Earth’s atmosphere has
warmed, so it retains more moisture, which is drawn
into storms and is then dumped on us
• Human beings fail to prepare for these inevitable
events. It is not the shock wave of energy that causes
most deaths and injuries but collapsing buildings.
• Compare the recent magnitude 8.8 earthquake in Chile
(with less deaths) with the magnitude 7.0 quake in Haiti
and more deaths.

9. • Almost all floods are due to the acts of man.
• Man has paved thousands of acres of dirt preventing
rain water from soaking in.
• Man has drained wetlands, straightened rivers, and
built shoddy containment structures that fail
• Cancer is caused to a large extent by man-made
carcinogens in the environment.
• These same agents are a major cause of birth defects.
• Alcohol, smoking, and drug use are major contributors
to mental problems and physical problems in children

10. • It is a sad fact that much of the world's population
goes to bed hungry every night. The problem is not
that a deficiency in the earth's design produces a
shortage of food.
• It is man with his greed, selfishness, desire for
political power, and stupidity that is the cause of
hunger -- not the failure of God's system

11. • 1 – Guide to true submission and servitude
(‘Uboodiyyah) to Allah-
• And among mankind is he who worships Allah as it
were upon the edge (i.e. in doubt): if good befalls
him, he is content therewith; but if a trial befalls him he
turns back on his face (i.e. reverts to disbelief after
embracing Islam). He loses both this world and the
Hereafter. That is the evident loss” [al-Hajj 22:11]

12. 2 – Trials prepare the believers to prevail on earth-
Once Imam al-Shaafi was asked :
• Which is better, patience or tests or prevailing?
• He said: Prevailing is the level attained by the
Prophets, and there can be no prevailing except
after trials.
• If a person is tried he will become patient, and if he
remains patient he will prevail.
Trials Patience Prevalence

13. • 3 – Expiation of sins-
• The Prophet (SAW) said:
“Trials will continue to befall the believing man or
woman in himself, his child and his wealth until he
meets Allah with no sin on him.”
(Al-Tirmidhi)
• 4 – Attainment of reward and a rise in status –
Prophet (SAW) said:
“The believer is not harmed by a thorn or anything
greater, but Allah will raise him in status thereby, or
erase a sin thereby.”
(Muslim)

14. • 5 – Calamities provide an opportunity to think about
one's faults and shortcomings and past mistakes.
• 6 – Calamity is a lesson in Tauhid and builds faith and
trust in Allah-
• You realize that you are a weak slave, and you have no
strength and no power except with Allah. You then turn
to Allah
“When Allah wills good for His slaves, He gives him the
medicine of calamities and trials according to his
situation, so as to cure him from all fatal illnesses and
diseases, until He purifies and cleanses him, and then
makes him qualified for the most honorable position in
this world, which is that of being a true slave of Allah.”
(Zaad al-Ma’aad, 4/195 Ibn al-Qayyim)

15. • 7 – Calamities drive out pride and arrogance from
our hearts and bring us closer to Allah-”
• In battle of Hunain, Allah decreed that the Muslims
should first taste the bitterness of defeat, despite
their great numbers and adequate equipment and
strength, so as to humble some people who felt
proud as a result of the conquest of Makkah”
(Zaad al-Ma’aad)
• And that Allah may test (or purify) the believers
(from sins) and destroy the disbelievers. Ale
Imran,3:141)

16. • 8 – To demonstrate the true nature of people.
• There are people whose virtue is unknown until
calamity strikes.
• Al-Fudayl ibn ‘Iyaad (RA)said :
• “As long as people are doing fine, their true nature
is concealed, but when calamity strikes, their true
natures are revealed, so the believer resorts to his
faith and the hypocrite resorts to his hypocrisy.”

17. • 9 – Calamities strengthen person’s resolve-
“Did He not find you O Muhammad) an orphan and give
you a refuge?” [al-Duha 93:6)
• 10 – Calamities distinguish between true friends and
friends who only have their own interests at heart.
• 11 – Calamities remind you of your sins so that you
can repent and seek forgiveness.
• “And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because
of what your hands have earned. And He pardons
much.” [al-Shoora 42:30]

18. • 12 – Calamities show the true nature of this world
• “Verily, the home of the Hereafter that is the life indeed
, if they but knew”[al-‘Ankaboot 29:64]
• 13 – Calamities remind you of the great blessings of
good health and ease-
• 14 – Longing for Paradise-
You will never long for Paradise until you taste the
bitterness of this world.
“Based on this, everything that He does, we know that
there is wisdom behind it. This is sufficient for us in
general terms, even if we do not know the details.”
(Majmoo’ al-Fatawa, 6/128 Ibn Taymiyah)

19. • Nursi explains that God assigns to each element in
creation the capacity to produce many favorable effects
and a few unfavorable ones whenever its causes are
activated
• Humanity’s infringement on the rights of numerous
creatures needs to be reprimanded by letting the
detrimental effects of their crimes (cause) take their
due course
• Natural disasters can be seen as a means to Discipline
errant individuals and nations (4:147; 6:42-43; 7:94-96)
and as
• Examples to succeeding generations (2:66; 43:56).

20. • 1.Punishment
of Allah for those who reject the true message and
are either disbelievers or cross Allah’s limits
• 2.Warning
for those who are sinners
• 3.Test
for those who are believers.

21. And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He
pardons much. (Ash-Shura 42:30)
Mischief has appeared on land and sea because of (the reasib) that the hands of men have
earned that (Allah) may give them a taste of some of their deeds: in order that they may turn
back (from Evil) (Rome,30:41)
And if the people of the towns had believed and had the Taqwâ (piety), certainly, We should
have opened for them blessings from the heaven and the earth, but they belied (the
Messengers). So We took them (with punishment) for what they used to earn (polytheism and
crimes, etc.). (Al-A'raf 7:96)

22. And fear the Fitnah (affliction and trial, etc.) which affects
not in particular (only) those of you who do wrong (but it
may afflict all the good and the bad people), and know that
Allâh is Severe in punishment. (Al-Anfal 8:25)
• Some times natural disasters are very intense and crush
even the innocents living in the affected area.
• These innocent people will get reward of Allah (swt) on
the day of judgment for the affliction they faced.

23. :-
•
The people of Nûh (Noah) denied (their Messenger) before them, they rejected Our
slave, and said: "A madman!" and he was insolently rebuked and threatened. Then
he invoked his Lord: "I have been overcome, so help (me)!" So We opened the gates
of heaven with water pouring forth. And We caused the earth to gush forth with
springs. So the waters met for a matter predestined. And We carried him on a (ship)
made of planks and nails, Floating under Our Eyes, a reward for him who had been
rejected! And indeed, We have left this as a sign, then is there any that will
remember ? Then how (terrible) was My Torment and My Warnings?
(Al-Qamar 54:9-16)

24. • People of Aad were also indulged in polytheism and
rejected their messenger Hood(AS) .
• They used to claim that they were the super power.
•
"Who is mightier than us in strength?" See they not that
Allâh, Who created them was mightier in strength than
them. And they used to deny Our Ayât (proofs, evidences,
verses, lessons, revelations, etc.)! (Fussilat 41:15)

25. 'Aad (people) belied (their
Prophet, Hood), then how (terrible) was
My Torment and My Warnings? Verily, We
sent against them a furious wind of harsh
voice on a day of evil omen and continuous
calamity. Plucking out men as if they were
uprooted stems of date-palms. Then, how
(terrible) was My Torment and My
Warnings? (Al-Qamar 54:18-21)

26. We also sent Lot (as a prophet): behold he said to his people "Do ye
do what is shameful though ye see (its iniquity)? "Would ye really
approach men in your lusts rather than women? Nay ye are a people
(grossly) ignorant!" But his people gave no other answer but this:
they said "Drive out the followers of Lot from your city: these are
indeed men who want to be clean and pure!" But We saved him and
his family except his wife: her We destined to be of those who lagged
behind. And We rained down on them a shower (of brimstone): and
evil was the shower on those who were admonished (but heeded
not) (Naml 27:54-58)

27. And indeed We punished the people of Fir'aun
(Pharaoh) with years of drought and shortness of
fruits (crops, etc.), that they might remember (take
heed). (Araaf, 7:130)
So We sent on them: the flood, the locusts, the lice, the
frogs, and the blood: (as a succession of) manifest signs, yet
they remained arrogant, and they were of those people who
were sinners.(Araaf, 7: 132)

28. So We took retribution from them. We drowned them in the sea,
because they belied Our Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons,
signs, revelations, etc.) and were heedless about them. (A'raf 7:136)
And We made a people considered weak (and of no account)
inheritors of lands in both east and west lands whereon We sent down
our blessings. The fair promise of the Lord was fulfilled for the
children of Israel because they had patience and constancy and We
leveled to the ground the great works and fine buildings which
Pharaoh and his people erected (with such pride) (Araaf 7:137)

29. Verily Qarun was of the people of Moses; but he acted insolently
towards them: such were the treasures We had bestowed on him that
their very keys would have been a burden to a body of strong men:
Behold his people said to him: "Exult not for Allah loves not those
who exult (in riches). (Qasas,28:76)
Then We caused the earth to swallow him up and his house; and he
had not (the least little) party to help him against Allah nor could he
defend himself. (Qasas,28:81)

30. • Polytheists of Makkah brought a big army against
Prophet (SAW) in battle of Ahzab. Allah (SWT)
helped Muslims by sending windstorm which
pushed back that army.
O ye who believe! Remember the Grace of Allah (bestowed) on you
when there came down on you hosts (to overwhelm you): but We sent
against them a hurricane and force that ye saw not. But Allah sees
(clearly) all that ye do. (Ahzab, 33:9)

31. Narrated Aisha:
• Whenever he saw clouds or winds, signs of deep concern
would appear on his face.
• I said, "O Prophet of Allah! When people see clouds they
usually feel happy, hoping that it would rain, while I see
that when you see clouds, one could notice signs of worry
on your face."
• He said, "O 'Aisha! What is the guarantee for me that there
will be no punishment in it, since some people were
punished with a wind? Verily, some people saw (received)
the punishment, but (while seeing the cloud) they
said, 'This cloud will give us rain.‘
"(Sahih Bukhari : Book 6 , Volume 60 ,Hadith 353)

32. • 1.And verily, We will make them taste of the near
torment (i.e. the torment in the life of this
world, i.e. disasters, calamities, etc.) prior to the
supreme torment (in the Hereafter), in order that
they may (repent and) return (i.e. accept Islâm).
(As-Sajdah 32:21)

33. 2. See they not that they are tried once or twice every year
(with different calamities)? Yet, they turn not in repentance, nor
do they learn a lesson
(Tawbah,9:126)
3.And indeed We punished the people of Fir'aun (Pharaoh) with
years of drought and shortness of fruits, that they might
remember.
(A'raf 7:130)

34. • 1.And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger,
loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to the patient
ones. (Al-Baqarah 2:155)
• 2.Or think you that you will enter Paradise without such (trials) as
came to those who passed away before you? They were afflicted
with severe poverty and ailments and were so shaken that even
the Messenger and those who believed along with him said,
"When (will come) the Help of Allah?" Yes! Certainly, the Help of
Allah is near! (Al-Baqarah 2:214)

35. 3.Do people think that they will be left alone because
they say: "We believe," and will not be tested. And
We indeed tested those who were before them. And
Allâh will certainly make (it) known (the truth of)
those who are true, and will certainly make (it) known
(the falsehood of) those who are liars. (Al-'Ankabut
29:2-3)

36. • Quran and Hadith also tell us the methods to deal
with the natural disasters and calamities. Some of
these ways are as follows:
• 1. Taqwah or Piety
• 2. Taubah or Repentance
• 3. Sabr or Patience

37. • When some one becomes pious Allah(SWT) resolves his
problems and opens doors of blessings
• 1. And whosoever fears Allâh and keeps his duty to
Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every
difficulty). (At-Talaq 65:2)
• 2. And if the people of the towns had believed and had
the Taqwâ , certainly, We should have opened for them
blessings from the heaven and the earth.(A'raf 7:96)

38. • When some one repents Allah swt takes away his
torment.
• And He will not punish them while they seek (Allâh's)
Forgiveness. (Al-Anfal 8:33)
•
• Was there any town that believed (after seeing the
punishment), and its Faith saved it? - Except the
people of Yûnus (Jonah); when they believed, We
removed from them the torment of disgrace in the life
of this world, and permitted them to enjoy for a while.
(Yunus 10:98 )

39. • If they face the natural disaster with patience then they
will get reward for it.
• And certainly, We shall test you with something of
fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give
glad tidings to the patient ones.When afflicted with
calamity, say: "Truly! To Allah we belong and truly, to
Him we shall return." They are those on whom are the
blessings from their Lord, and His Mercy, and it is they
who are the guided-ones. (Al-Baqarah 2:155-157)

40. • Prophet Muhammad’s main job for 13 years in
Makkah was to fill the hearts with love, fear and
knowledge of the oneness of God.
• He taught courage through trust and reliance in
God.
• He cultivated the love of God in the hearts and
minds of the new believers and
• He used wisdom and compassion to solve the
problems of the people and help them in their
needs and hardships

41. • In the U.S. the Prophet (SAW) would invite everyone to
submit to their Creator, one Almighty Allah with
wisdom, beautiful preaching and best dialogue.
• He would use his dynamic leadership to unite the
Muslims on basics of Islam and its mission of Dawah
Ilallah.
• He would clearly aim to do away with sectarian
differences and would bring everyone together under
one banner— “Submission to One God”
• Prophet would certainly continue on strengthening
their beliefs through teaching the Quran and his own
wisdom.
• He would build their character on highest morals and
prepare them as a team to do work of Dawah Ilallah.

42. • He would present true message of Islam to all and
invite them to live in love, fear and hope in God
• Prophets of the past mentioned numerous times in
both the Bible and the Quran, we notice that many
would spend their lifetime to warn and many with
limited success
• Succeeding prophets strove to warn, educate and
guide their people. Their job was only to warn, but
they knew that the final guidance comes from God

43. • First, out of his vast kindness, Prophet
Muhammad would express compassion and
solidarity with those adversely affected by
the tragedy, Muslims and non-Muslims.
• He would do his utmost to help those in
need
• As for the Muslims, he would plead with
them to help one another and fellow
citizens. He is reported to have said:
"Whosoever relieves from a believer some
grief pertaining to this world, Allah will relieve
from him some grief pertaining to the
Hereafter."
(Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

44. • Prophet Muhammad would warn people to take
such disasters as a warning similar to those of the
past
• Prophet Muhammad would of course warn
Muslims not to curse the wind as it is a creation of
God. In it and through it are goodness, mercy,
fertilization as well as disasters, like Sandy, which
may be a sign from God.
• A Muslim should seek refuge in God from its evil.
We have stories of nations being destroyed for not
paying heed to the warnings of their messengers.
The people of Prophet Hud is one example.

45. • He would urge to take precautions to reduce
damage and save lives. He would remind that no
one is able to stop or avert it once it is set to occur
except Allah (SWT) the most high.
• Therefore, he will urge to turn to Allah(SWT) with
true Iman and repentance and seek His Help.
• Prophet Muhammad would also remind people
about the events taking place prior to the Day of
Judgment, the gravity of which is nowhere close to
huge disasters that are afflicting the population of
the earth in recent years.

46. • The Prophet would also warn those nations who
think they have power over people and oppress,
that there is a power much greater than theirs!
So that you might know that Allah has power over
all things and that Allah encompasses all things in His
knowledge.} (At-Talaq 65: 12)
• Finally, the Prophet might remind his nation to
ponder on one of the greatest verses of the Quran,
called “the verse of the throne”

47. • ICNA Relief's Disaster Response Team deployed on the ground after
seawater left affected cities.
The call ICNA Relief made for volunteers was extremely successful.
• Hundreds of volunteers responded to the call.
• ICNA Relief has established an Information & Referral Center and
Point of Distribution at Brighton Beach, Brooklyn.
• In addition, four Points of Distribution were established in 1) Long
Beach 2) Far Rockaway, 3) Staten Island and 4) Atlantic City, NJ.
• More than 1000 families are helped in one way or another.

48. Served/
# Items
Distributed
1 Warm Meals 9,075
2 Blankets & Comfortors 1,560
3 Coats 54
4 Heaters 544
5 Roll up Mattresses 100
6 Thermals & Undergarments 1,250
7 Donated Cleaning Supplies 200
8 Free Medical Camps in 3 Cities 300
Tree Removal and Clean-up
9 50
operations
10 Cash & Rental Assistance 40
11 Case Work and Referrals 250
12 Volunteer Hours 4,500
13 Canned Food 5,500
14 Contractor Trash Bags 600