Spirit of Islam, Sept-Oct 2022

We cannot attribute calamities and afflictions to mere chance. There is a divine plan behind them. Such calamities arise from human beings’ misuse of freedom granted to them by God. The Plagues of Egypt are mentioned in the Quran thus: We afflicted Pharaoh’s people with shortages of food and famine so that they might take heed. (7: 130) It becomes clear that we cannot attribute calamities and afflictions to mere chance. There is a divine plan behind them. Such calamities arise from human beings’ misuse of freedom granted to them by God. Human beings consider this temporary and limited freedom absolute and without consequence. They forget that they are accountable for every deed they do. Moreover, they forget their Creator and fail to acknowledge His blessings. Thus, there are two lessons that we need to learn from such adverse events. First, these calamities may arise due to our deviations while using God-granted freedom and natural resources. Additionally, these test our faith in God. In adverse situations, we are compelled to review and scrutinize our mode of living and our beliefs. This is mentioned in the Quran: And most surely, We will make them taste a lesser punishment before the greater punishment so that perhaps they may return to Us in repentance. (32: 21) Do they not see that they are tried every year once or twice? Yet they do not repent, nor would they be admonished. (9: 126) The calamities serve the signal purpose of waking us up from our slumber of forgetfulness. We would have learnt our lesson well if we mended our ways, removed all negativity from our hearts, cultivated well-wishing for all, and acknowledged the bounties and blessings God has bestowed on us. o Prof Farida Khanam