Calamity
Holy Qur'an 42/30
 

We wish all our viewers and audience peace, tranquility and prosperity with Arabic words Asalamoalekum Wa Rehmatullahi Wa Barakatohu.

 

It is an assurance that we harbor in our heart no ill-will, but a feeling of respect, dignity and good wishes for all mankind. We pray to the LORD of the Universe to shower HIS blessings and bounties on all HIS creatures on this earth! May the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe, guide all human beings to the right path! Aameen!
 

Now we come back to the Last Book of the LORD of humanity to reform and develop our actions, emotion and deeds as endorsed by our Creator in HIS Book of Guidance, the Holy Qur’an. It will not only make our life worthwhile on this earth but guarantees a grand reception in the hereafter. Professing and testifying the Oneness of our LORD, we strive for purification and perfection of our own life by emulating the character of the Last Messenger, Muhammad (s.a.w.s) who is the role model for the entire humanity.

 
Dear Viewers, No other course on this earth can promise a more comprehensive development of our personality than the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and the life of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s).
 
Today we shall ponder over verse 30 of chapter 42, and find out what information does it carry for us! May ALLAH guide us to the right path. Aameen!
 
 
 
 
Before rendering this verse into English, we want to make it clear that, the translation of the original Revelation that comes directly from ALMIGHTY GOD, the Most Gracious, is not at all possible in any language of the world. It is only an attempt to be close to what this verse denote. What message does it convey to mankind? May the LORD of the worlds help us in our humble efforts!
 
“Whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And for many a sins, GOD ALMIGHTY pardons much;”
 
In this verse, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful GOD declares that any adversity, big or small, any problem or calamity that we face is the reaction of our own actions. This is the secret that gives a severe blow to our pre-conceived ideas, that adversities and troubles are merely natural occurrences. Once a man realizes this truth, it sets in motion a desire to reform one’s own actions which brings change and an all round development of his personality.
 
Our LORD wants us to make an introspection of our previous deeds, or rather misdeeds, and then decide the future course of action. We should never be complacent with our present status, but continue the quest for better conduct. That would ensure a continuous development of our personality. A wise man is the one who learns from his past mistakes. Evaluation of our past errors and mistakes enhances our social and spiritual rankings. Any serious reader can draw this lesson from the Book of his LORD which induces every individual to analyze his actions critically and objectively.
 
It is easy for a man to blame others for any failure or anticlimax, while giving a clean chit to his own self. But this attitude impedes the growth and further development of his personality. Furthermore, it has a negative impact on his attitude, aptitude, and temperament. He forms an impression that he is perfect and hence there is no further development in need. Thus a man with an air of self-importance is neither able to serve the society, nor is loyal to his own self.
 

Nothing is permanent in this world. And so is the case with the human life. A man experiences many ups and downs, joy and sorrow, in his earthly life as destined by his LORD. Every day is followed by the night. If winter comes, the spring is not far behind. But this variety is what makes a human life meaningful and worth living. To be happy every day is to be not happy at all. Adversity teaches us the importance of prosperity. If a man adopts a positive attitude, he can make autumns as enjoyable as springs.
 
In verse 3/140 our Creator says:
 
“…..And these days of varying conditions WE alternate among mankind…..”
 
And such is the case with human nature. He realizes the value of day only after passing through the dark night. He understands the meaning of relief when he experiences the moments of anxiety. He feels the importance of happiness only after he has been through distressing situations. Even a small streak of joy gives tremendous relief to him if it comes after suffering a lot.
 
Our LORD teaches us how to control our feelings and emotion while facing adverse situations. Similarly we should not be overjoyed or filled with pride when receiving favors of our LORD. There should be no emotional outburst in either situation. This balanced approach will add elegance to our personality. If we successfully pass through these tests, our life will be purged of all infirmities.
 

If we become emotionally charged, when calamity strikes, it will not do any good. If we search for the cause of our misfortune, as our SUSTAINER has intimated us, we can hit upon some solution. We are encouraged to adopt a reasonable attitude, and develop an insight into the things and events, make an introspection of our past deeds. And this is an unfailing course of personality development.
 

The real test of a man lies in facing the extremely unfavorable conditions, when encountered by miseries and sorrows. Now how does he react to the challenge? How does he tackle the situation? How does it affect his behavior? How does he react to his own self and to his environment? And most of all, how faithful he remains to his Creator? Does he repent and turn to his LORD, or goes off the track only to hit the wrong targets?
 

Our LORD wants us never to lose heart and be always optimistic. Then only we can tide over any calamity. And HE is Oft-forgiving and Most Merciful, and redeems our sufferings if we turn to HIM and repent. Is this not a silver line bordering even the darkest clouds! These are the signs indicating that we must always remain positive and hopeful of HIS Benevolence.
 
And so Our LORD informs us in verse 64/11:
 
“No calamity can ever befall unless it be by ALLAH's leave. And anyone who trust in ALLAH, HE guides aright his heart, and ALLAH has aware of everything.”
 

Even a leave or any atom in the whole Universe cannot move but by the will of his Creator. So how can a Tsunami struck or an earthquake devastates a land until permitted by his LORD! The first reaction of a perfect person, in the presence of any adversity, should be to examine his actions, thoughts and feelings, and find out the faults. Secondly, he should have a strong desire to reform his misconduct. Thirdly he should not lose heart and be hopeful of GOD’s Mercy. And lastly, he should generate a will power to convert the calamity into an opportunity by invoking the Grace of the Most Gracious GOD. He should never be afraid of the planning of his adversaries. If he has full trust in his MASTER, things will work out in the end. In verse 9/51 our SUSTAINER describes the quality of the true believers:

 
 
“Say: Nothing will afflict us except what ALLAH has ordained for us! HE is our Protector, and on ALLAH, the men of conviction should rely!”
 
Would that we read the Book of ALLAH with an angel to receive guiding signals, we would know how to face crises, how to remain steadfast even in the face of worst happenings, how to remain in control of our own self, how to handle our comrades and the situation, patiently and peacefully during the panic hours. We learn this lesson when we come across the description of Prophet Moses in verse 26/61, 62. GOD ALMIGHTY says:
 
 


“And both the hosts sighted each other, the people of Mosses cried out: Surely we are being overtaken. Moses said: ‘Not at all! Surely my LORD is with me and HE will show me a way out!’”

 

With mighty army of Pharaoh behind and the deep sprawling ocean before, the composure and cool behavior of Prophet Moses stands as lesson to the faithful and an example worth emulating.
 

When the situation is volatile and out of control, even when the enemy is out to destroy us and we are visibly trapped, we should firmly put your faith in ALMIGHTY GOD, who can open ten other doors if one door is closed, provided the patience and trust is like that of the Moses and the hope that our LORD will find a way.
 
Our LORD demands one more development is our personality. That is, we should realize the value of this world and our own worth and place in it. The world and all that it contains is transitory. One day we will pass away to another world, and get a life that is everlasting and permanent, if we could pass the test of this life. Then a trouble free life with unending pleasures waits. There will be no sign of any misery or misfortune, only the Bounties and Blessings of the ALMIGHTY GOD. But all these favors are not unconditional. The man of perfection, who wishes to achieve this great success, must exercise restraint and patience in adversity. And this is what the verse 2/155 &156 in the Holy Qur’an teaches us:
 
 

“….. And give good news to those who keep patience in adversity, when misfortune strikes them, they say: Verily unto ALLAH do we belong and, verily, unto HIM we shall return.”
 
Now drawing lesson from this verse, whenever we are confronted with a minor problem, we must adopt the attitude of finding out our misdoings, and atone for it. Our CREATOR is full of kindness and compassion for all HIS creatures. It is only because of HIS Grace that we are walking on this earth. But when some one takes undue advantage of his dispensation, and challenges the Supremacy of the LORD, and invokes HIS wrath by questioning HIS authority, crosses every limit servility, GOD ALMIGHTY inflict light punishment in the shape of some hardship or trouble. Similarly the collective immorality of a community witnesses GOD’s fury in the form of flood, storms and earthquake. But even HIS chastisement is not without benevolence. HE gives us chances to repent and reform, and turn to HIM seeking his forgiveness. HE warns us in verse 9/126:
 
 

“Do they not realize that they are being tested once or twice every year! Neither do they repent nor take any lesson.”
 
We need to surrender ourselves, our preferences and all our aspirations before our MASTER, and mould our life, following the high moral standards set by HIS Prophet. We pray to our LORD to enable us to imbibe in our character, these golden principles of personality development as advised in HIS Book. These principles are the prerequisite for a successful life; if we make sincere attempts we can bring the desirable changes in our personality, which guarantees a bountiful life in this world and in the hereafter. May our LORD forgive all our sins and Grant us entry into the gardens of Paradise. Aameen!