Jumah Nugget: How Can You Determine if an Earthquake is a Sign of the Day of Reckoning?

Earlier in the week, the world witnessed a devastating earthquake of magnitude 7.5 which was said to be the deadliest in the history of existence. About eight countries were affected including Cyprus, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Armenia, Georgia, Syria, and Türkiye. However, the majority of the havoc covered by the media was focused on Syria and Türkiye as the most affected regions. The wreckage was much to the point that over twenty thousand people have been reported dead as of the time of this publication. Several hundred thousand others are injured and lots of buildings and properties have been lost.

As Muslims, we’re meant to show empathy for those affected one way or the other. At least, make dua’ that Allah eases their affair and grants them recovery. We ask our Lord to forgive the dead ones and shower His mercy on those that survived. Amidst all of this chaos, one thing that struck my mind was how this could be a prelude to events that will lead up to the great day of reality. We have shreds of evidence for this in our scriptures: the Qur’an and hadith.

A Trial for the Ummah

Without an iota of doubt, there’s no shocking disaster in history that has affected humanity to the extent that earthquakes have. They happen unpredictably, anywhere at any time. Even modern technology of the twenty-first century hasn’t been able to prevent it or limit its damage.

For sure, some people will say: Aren’t these Muslim lands with people who attest to faith? Why will Allah cause ruin to His worshipers? Or perhaps it’s because of their sins? Even the infamous Charlie Hebdo magazine mocked the Muslims with a cartoon insight: ‘we didn’t have to send the tanks’. First, it’s important to establish that what has been destined will surely come to pass. Allah does as He wills, His wisdom encompasses ours, and no one has the audacity to question His will. In addition, to give you further reassurance, our beloved Messenger peace be upon him had informed us fourteen hundred years ago about this occurrence thus:

Narrated Abu Musa: The Prophet Peace be upon him said: These people of mine is one to which mercy is shown. It will have no punishment in the next world, but its punishment in this world will be trials, earthquakes and being killed— Abu Dawud

In another narration, the prophet peace be upon him precisely mentioned these events happening in Ash-Sham and Yemen. This is an area covering the eastern Mediterranean which includes the modern countries of Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Israel, Jordan, Cyprus, and Turkey. Many of us can attest to the tribulations occurring in those regions for decades, especially Palestine and Syria. The hadith in reference is depicted below:

Narrated Ibn `Umar: The Prophet Peace be upon him said, “O Allah! Bless our Sham and our Yemen.” People said, “Our Najd as well.” The Prophet again said, “O Allah! Bless our Sham and Yemen.” They said again, “Our Najd as well.” On that the Prophet (ﷺ) said, “There will appear earthquakes and afflictions, and from there will come out the side of the head of Satan.” — Sahih Al-Bukhari

With that being mentioned, it suffices us as Muslims to accept this as a trial, make sincere repentance, and do our best to kindly support those who are affected. There are several Islamic Aid and humanitarian organizations out there giving help, you can also donate to support the cause.

Scenes from Türkiye and Syria

For us to understand further, the recent earthquakes in Syria and Turkey brought to light some salient points as mentioned in the Qur’an. A tragic scene was that of a pregnant mother who was trapped under a collapsed building in Aleppo. Owing to the torments of the devastating earthquake, she gave birth to her child under duress. However, she died before rescue workers arrived to help. May Allah forgive and have mercy on her soul. The good news is — the newborn was saved and going through recuperation. Allah gave us a similitude of this scenario in the following verses where He said:

The Day you shall see it, every nursing mother will abandon what she is nursing, and every pregnant woman will deliver her burden ˹prematurely˺. And you will see people ˹as if they were˺ drunk, though they will not be drunk; but the torment of Allah is terribly severe — Qur’an 22[Al-Hajj]:2

And in Turkey as well, we’ve seen several situations where people have been rescued from the rubble after days of the disaster. The majority of these are underaged children and animals who don’t even have a source of help. Thus, Allah is showing us His Might and Power that He’s able to do all things. He saves the life of His creatures as He wills and takes their life as He desires as well. In the end, He will give life back to all and to Him will be our final return.

That is because Allâh: He is the Truth, and it is He Who gives life to the dead, and it is He Who is Able to do all things. And surely, the Hour is coming, there is no doubt about it; and certainly, Allâh will resurrect those who are in the graves. — Qur’an 22[Al-Hajj]:6–7

More signs for Resurrection

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “The Hour (Last Day) will not be established until (religious) knowledge will be taken away, earthquakes will be very frequent, time will pass quickly, afflictions will appear, murders will increase and money will overflow amongst you.” — Sahih Al-Bukhari

From the above Hadith, we can deduce the following as apparent signs:

• The decline in religious knowledge: This is prominent through the death of scholars and the rise of ignoramuses causing chaos in society.
• Earthquake Frequency: Over the last decade, there’s been an average of eleven earthquakes per year. The degree of severity and magnitude differs from place and time.
• Quickness of Time: Time runs fast to the point that when you look back and count your days, you’d be reminiscing memories of decades.
• Presence of afflictions: Trials of pain and suffering have become the order of the day from the east to the west. There’s rarely a part of the globe that hasn’t tasted a fair share of tribulation.
• Rise in murderous cases: We live in a time where the one who is being killed doesn’t know the reason for which he’s was killed.
• Increase in wealth: Today, there’s abundant wealth beyond the thought of our forefathers. The earliest generation of Muslims barely had a loaf of bread to eat. In recent days, we eat to our fill and even have extra to waste.

And after all these proofs and pieces of evidence have been presented to the people, do not be surprised that some will still disbelieve or cast doubt about the veracity of the message. We leave them with these golden words from our Lord:

Have they not traveled throughout the land so their hearts may reason, and their ears may listen? Indeed, it is not the eyes that are blind, but it is the hearts in the chests that grow blind. They challenge you ˹O Prophet˺ to hasten the torment. And Allah will never fail in His promise. But a day with your Lord is indeed like a thousand years by your counting. — Qur’an 22[Al-Hajj]:46–47

On a Final Note

Beloved brethren, these earthquakes are a source of trial for humanity. In addition, they equally serve as a reminder for us to take heed and return back to our Lord in repentance before it’s too late. Finally, it’s a sign about the nearness of the day of certainty — a glimpse into the horror of what to expect.

Certain verses in the Qur’an point out the relationship between earthquakes and the End Times. The ninety-ninth chapter is called Suratuz-Zalzalah which means The Great Shaking or Earthquake. This Surah describes the violent shaking of the earth towards the end time as a preamble to the arrival of Judgment Day.

Allah buttresses it further in these verses below:

When the earth is shaken in its ultimate earthquake. And when the earth throws out ˹all˺ its contents. And humanity cries, “What is wrong with it?” On that Day the earth will recount everything, having been inspired by your Lord ˹to do so˺. On that Day people will proceed in separate groups to be shown ˹the consequences of˺ their deeds. So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it. And whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it. — Qur’an 99[Az-Zalzalah]:1–8

We ask Allah — The Most Merciful to save us from the trials of these turbulent times, grant us forgiveness, and shower His Mercy upon us. Amin!

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