Society is currently plagued by crime, fear, murder, strife and dissension! Statistical records for theft, murder, drug addiction, crime and rape forecast an alarming and bleak future for man. Every day heralds greater turmoil, disaster and sorrow than the day before. Life has degenerated to moral, social and political disorder and chaos!

The Holy Qur’ân States: “Corruption has appeared on land and sea on account of the doings of man.” (Surah 30 – verse 4 1). This world is the abode of “cause and effect”. Man creates circumstances and Allah brings about the consequences.

Nabi sallallahu alayhi wasallam had said: “No harm, either small or great afflicts a man, except on account of sin. Yet what Allah forgives thereof (i.e. his sins) is far greater. He then recited the following verse of the Qur’ân “And whatever calamity afflicts you, it is on account of what your hands have earned and He forgives much more.” (Mishkât)

Calamities – As a Result of Sin

Abdullah bin ‘Umar radhiallahu anhu narrates: “I was among ten people who came to Nabi sallallahu alayhi wasallam from the muhajireen. He said. “0 Muhajireen, there are 5 things; I ask Allah’s refuge (lest) you fall prey to them.

When shamelessness becomes prevalent and the norm (among people), they would become entangled in plague and in such diseases that never existed during the time of their forefathers.

When a nation cheats in measure (practices fraud) they would be afflicted by drought, hardships and an oppressive ruler.

When a nation stops paying zakât they would be deprived of rain. If it were not for the animals it would never have rained.

When people break promises, Allah sets over them enemies from another nation, who will usurp their belongings.

When their leaders refrain from giving verdicts according to the commands of Allah, He subjects them to murder and civil strife. (Ibn Mâjah)

Disobedience to Parents

Nabi sallallahu alayhi wasallam had stated: “Allah forgives all sins of those whom He pleases, except disobedience to parents, its punishment is swiftly meted out to him in this world (prior to his death). (Ibn Mâjah)

Neglect of Enjoining Virtue and Forbidding Evil

Jabir radhiallahu anhu states that Nabi sallallahu alayhi wasallam had stated: “When an individual sins (openly) in a community and the community in spite of its authority over him does not prevent him from sinning, Allah’s punishment descends on them even before death. (Mishkât)

Calamities as a Spiritual Cleaning

Ayesha radhiallahu anhu states that Nabi sallallahu alayhi wasallam had said: “When the sins of a slave becomes excessive and he does not have (enough) deeds to compensate for them, Allah subjects him to sorrow, so that it may compensate for his (sins). (Mishkât)

Abu Said Al Khudri reported that Nabi sallallahu alayhi wasallam had stated that “No Muslim is ever afflicted with any calamity, pain, anxiety, sorrow, harm or disaster, upto the extent of a thorn that pierces him, except that Allah forgives his sins thereby. (Mishkât)

Calamities As A Sign Of The Love Of Allah

Anâs radhiallahu anhu reports that Nabi sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: ‘The magnitude of reward is in proportion to the magnitude of the trial. When Allah loves a people he subjects them to tests. Whoever is pleased (with the decree of Allah) for him shall be the pleasure of Allah and whoever is displeased, for him shall be the displeasure of Allah.

Ayesha radhiallahu anha states that “I did not see anybody experiencing more pain than Nabi sallallahu alayhi wasallam (i.e. because he was the closest to Allah Ta’âla). (Mishkât)

Appropriate Response

“It is those who believe and mix not their beliefs with wrong that are (truly) in security for they are on(right) guidance” (Surah 6 – verse 82)

Nabi sallallahu alayhi wasallam had stated: “Protect your possessions through the payment of zakât, treat your sick by giving charity and face the waves of affliction with supplication (du’â) and humility. (Abû Dawûd)

Display Gratitude – Shukr

Ingratitude displayed by greed, extravagance, stinginess and pride gives rise to fear, anxiety and poverty.

The Glorious Qur’ân States: “Allah sets forth a parable of a city that enjoyed security and contentment, it’s sustenance came to it abundantly from every place, yet it displayed ingratitude to the favours of AI1ah, so Allah made it taste the garb of poverty and terror, because of the (evil) which (its people) wrought”. (Surah 16 – Verse 112)

Halaal Rizq

Allah Ta’âla has declared war on those who indulge in Ribâ. The Holy Qur’ân states: “If you desist not (from usury) be informed of war (declared against you) by Allah and His Rasool. (Surah 2 – verse 279)

Nabi sallallahu alayhi wasallam had stated: “Most certainly a man is deprived of rizq on account of sins that he indulges in. (Mishkât)

Istighfâr

Nabi sallallahu alayhi wasallam had said – “A person who makes istighfâr excessively and habitually, Allah opens a way for him from every trial and hardship. He relieves him from worries and sorrows and grants him sustenance from a source beyond his imagination”.

Conclusion

No calamity or hardship occurs coincidentally. Nothing happens by chance or ill-luck. Everything that befalls a believer has a meaning, though it is often hard to grasp. Hardship and sorrow may well serve as a punishment, a spiritual cleansing or a means of elevation in the hereafter. We need to reflect on our life-styles, are we not inviting the wrath of Allah through extravagance, dealing in Ribâ, disrespecting our parents and encouraging immodesty and shamelessness in our homes?

How relevant is the law of Allah and His Rasool sallallahu alayhi wasallam in our lives?

Do we decide and resolve issues based on the teachings of the Qur’ân-e-Kareem and the Sunnah ?

What importance do we attach, to our promises ?

Do we deliberately deceive people and betray their trusts ?

Do we simply turn a blind eye to the vices perpetrated before us ?

Are we not obliged to enjoin virtue and prohibit evil ?

AllahTa’âla emphatically states : “Whatever good befalls you is as a result of the mercy (from Allah and whatever harm afflicts you is on account ( of the doings) of yourselves. (Surah 4 – verse 79)

He further states: “Those prior to them (the Mushriks) had also belied (the word of Allah) so the punishment came to them from avenues that they did not perceive. Allah made them taste “Disgrace” in the life of this world and most assuredly the punishment of the hereafter is very much more intense”

Our salvation depends on our A’mâl (deed) ! Our prosperity hinges on our taqwa (piety). Our very future is determined by our past. The “present’ is the time to repent and make amends.