Shaikh al-Fawzaan: Natural Phenomenon or the Will of Allaah?!

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

In response to the question regarding the reasons for the earthquakes and if nature has any role in it, Shaikh Saaleh al-Fawzaan غفر الله له said:

❝There is no such thing as natural phenomenon ^[1], for these are from the statements of the atheists. Everything which happens is by Allaah’s Qadhaa and Qadar (Divine Will and Decree) and everything which takes place is by the Wisdom of Allaah جل وعلا. As for the earthquakes, Allaah تعالى decrees them so that He عز وجل can frighten His slaves ^[2] and to remind them to turn to their Lord in repentance. Indeed it is Allaah تعالى who {grasps the heavens and the earth lest they move away from their places} ^[3]. Allaah تعالى has grasped the heavens and the earth, and when He تعالى Wills, He shakes them to awakened His slaves and to warn them.❞

Source:

[(صحيفة المدينة) السبت 3 شعبان 1430هـ الموافق 25/7/2009م]

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[1] Definition of “natural phenomenon”: It is an observable event which is not man-made. Examples include: sunrise, weather, fog, thunder, tornadoes; biological processes, decomposition, germination; physical processes, wave propagation, erosion; tidal flow, and natural disasters such as electromagnetic pulses, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes.

The words like: Natural Phenomenon, Natural Disaster, and Mother Nature are used by the atheist to deny the existence of God or His role in controlling/causing them. The Muslims believe that nothing happens except by the Will of Allaah تعالى and everything has been recorded in Lauhal-Mahfoodh (the Preserved Tablet).

[2] Allaah تعالى says:

﴿وَمَا نُرْسِلُ بِالْآيَاتِ إِلَّا تَخْوِيفًا﴾

{And We sent not the signs except to warn, and to make them afraid.} [Surah al-Israa’ (17):59]

He تعالى also says:

﴿هُوَ الَّذِي يُرِيكُمُ الْبَرْقَ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا وَيُنشِئُ السَّحَابَ الثِّقَالَ * وَيُسَبِّحُ الرَّعْدُ بِحَمْدِهِ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ مِنْ خِيفَتِهِ وَيُرْسِلُ الصَّوَاعِقَ فَيُصِيبُ بِهَا مَن يَشَاءُ وَهُمْ يُجَادِلُونَ فِي اللَّـهِ وَهُوَ شَدِيدُ الْمِحَالِ﴾

{It is He who shows you the lightning, as a fear (for travellers) and as a hope (for those who wait for rain). And it is He Who brings up (or originates) the clouds, heavy (with water). And Ar-Ra`d (thunder) glorifies and praises Him, and so do the angels because of His Awe, He sends the thunderbolts, and therewith He strikes whom He wills, yet they (disbelievers) dispute about Allaah. And He is Mighty in strength and Severe in punishment.} [Surah al-Israa’ (13): 12-13]

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Verily the sun and the moon are the two signs among the signs of Allaah by which He frightens his servants and they do not eclipse on account of the death [or life]of any one of the people. So when you see anything about these signs, observe Salaah (prayer), and [hasten to remember Him, beseech Him and beg pardon from Him] till it is cleared from you.” [Saheehain and the extra wordings are from other narrations]

[3] Allaah تعالى says:

﴿إِنَّ اللَّـهَ يُمْسِكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ أَن تَزُولَا ۚ وَلَئِن زَالَتَا إِنْ أَمْسَكَهُمَا مِنْ أَحَدٍ مِّن بَعْدِهِ ۚ إِنَّهُ كَانَ حَلِيمًا غَفُورًا﴾

{Verily! Allaah grasps the heavens and the earth lest they move away from their places, and if they were to move away from their places, there is not one that could grasp them after Him. Truly, He is Ever Most Forbearing, Oft Forgiving.} [Surah Faatir (35): 41]