The Cause of Earthquakes –Imaam Muqbil Bin Haadee Part 1

PART - 1

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

The People differ (in their views) concerning earthquakes. Some say that it is a natural phenomenon and it has nothing to do with religion; others say that it (occurs) by Allaah’s decision and pre-decree and it has nothing to do with the sins (of the people); and others say that it is warning for (the slaves to fear Allaah’s punishment) and it has nothing to do with (their sins); and others say that it (occurs) as a result of the sins (of the people)?

The answer to this is: It may occur as a warning, a decision and pre-decree of Allaah and as a result of the sins (of the people). Earthquakes can occur as a warning for those who are witness it and are alive. He سُبحانه وتعالى said:

وَإِنْ مِنْ قَرْيَةٍ إِلَّا نَحْنُ مُهْلِكُوهَا قَبْلَ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ أَوْ مُعَذِّبُوهَا عَذَابًا شَدِيدًا ۚ كَانَ ذَٰلِكَ فِي الْكِتَابِ مَسْطُورًا
وَمَا مَنَعَنَا أَنْ نُرْسِلَ بِالْآيَاتِ إِلَّا أَنْ كَذَّبَ بِهَا الْأَوَّلُونَ ۚ وَآتَيْنَا ثَمُودَ النَّاقَةَ مُبْصِرَةً فَظَلَمُوا بِهَا ۚ وَمَا نُرْسِلُ بِالْآيَاتِ إِلَّا تَخْوِيفًا

“And there is not a town (population) but We shall destroy it before the Day of Resurrection, or punish it with a severe torment. That is written in the Book (of our Decrees); And nothing stops Us from sending the Ayat (proofs, evidences, signs) but that the people of old denied them. And We sent the she-camel to Thamud as a clear sign, but they did her wrong. And We sent not the signs except to warn, and to make them afraid (of destruction).”

(Al-Israa: 58-59)

As for it being the decision and pre-decree of Allaah, He سُبحانه وتعالى said:

مَا أَصَابَ مِنْ مُصِيبَةٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي أَنْفُسِكُمْ إِلَّا فِي كِتَابٍ مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ نَبْرَأَهَا ۚ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى اللَّهِ يَسِيرٌ

“No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but is inscribed in the Book of Decrees (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz), before We bring it into existence. Verily, that is easy for Allah”.

(Al-Hadeed:22)

And He سُبحانه وتعالى also said:

مَا أَصَابَ مِنْ مُصِيبَةٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ ۗ وَمَنْ يُؤْمِنْ بِاللَّهِ يَهْدِ قَلْبَهُ ۚ وَاللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ

“No calamity befalls, but with the Leave [i.e. decision and Qadar (Divine Preordainments)] of Allah, and whosoever believes in Allah, He guides his heart [to the true Faith with certainty, i.e. what has befallen him was already written for him by Allah from the Qadar (Divine Preordainments)], and Allah is the All-Knower of everything.” 
(At-Taghaabun:11)

(Source: Al-Makhraj Minal Fitan: page:161)

.. To be continued ...