A 7.8 magnitude tremor struck early Monday morning, 6 February 2023, near the city of Gaziantep in Turkey. Thousands have lost their lives and many more are injured, trapped and displaced. Muslims the world over are feeling the pain of their fellow brothers and sisters in Turkey.
CONDOLENCE AND HOPE FOR VICTIMS
Our heartfelt condolences go out to those affected by the tragedy, especially those who lost their dear ones. We pray for the quick recovery of those trapped and the injured. Suffering is veiled with blessings. When we exercise patience in adversity and find ourselves turning to Allah in prayers and repentance; it brings us closer to Allah; for which there is no greater blessing “And the pleasure of Allah is the greatest achievement.” (Surah Taubah - Verse 72)
A REMINDER OF OUR FRAGILITY
No one can predict or prevent an earthquake. Natural disasters are a reminder of how fragile and incapable we are. Events happen only by the Divine Decree of the All-Knowing, All-Wise, All-Powerful Creator. There is a divine call and message behind every disaster, and understanding that message enables us to cope with it.
For the believers who place their trust in Allah Ta’ala, human loss and suffering is a test of patience and submission to the Will of Almighty Allah. Such losses become a means of higher gain in the hereafter.
COLLECTIVE REPENTANCE AND REFORMATION
The need is to seek sincere forgiveness for ourselves and guidance for all of humanity. Pray for the reformation of everyone. This earthquake, like others before it, has brought on massive human suffering, and serves as an alarm bell of the mother of all earthquakes that will take place on the Day of Judgment. On that Day the whole earth will be shaken and no one will be spared the terror of that tremor. Before the major earthquake of Qiyamah, let us individually and collectively, repent and reform so we may be saved from the long term suffering of the hereafter.
SUPPORT RELIEF EFFORTS
Every form of support, through financial aid, messages of courage and hope, duas of goodwill and recovery, go a long way in easing the pain of those afflicted. The Muslim Ummah is likened to one body and we all should feel the pain of our fellow Muslims.
Darul Ihsan Media Desk