Peace be upon you. The Holy Quran asks believers to ponder on natural phenomenon to get and spread physical and spiritual benefits for humanity. It also points out that natural phenomemon can turn into misery and one should not overlook the reasons and seek protection of God: “In the creation of the heavens and the earth and in the alternation of the night and the day there are indeed Signs for people of understanding.----Those who remember Allah while standing, sitting, and (lying) on their sides, and ponder over the creation of the heavens and the earth: “Our Lord, Thou hast not created this in vain; (nay), Holy art Thou; save us, then from the punishment of Fire.” (3: 191,192). Since 1900 (plus / minus), new knowledge has been emerging, giving benefits to mankind.------- On the other hand, the calamities are also on th rise, showering from the skies and emerging from the earth at unprecented rate. These disasters may have different names (epidemics, world wars, local war, oily wars, bloody revolutions, murders on the name of God, fanaticism, hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, effects of deposits of wealth in few hands, false promises of equal distribution of the wealth, capturing the natural resources of poor countries, Godless societies etc. etc.) but they all come under the banner “punishment of Fire (3:191)” and they are on the rise in all parts of the world. These extraordinary activities in these times are linked with the signs of a period called The Latter Days (can be 1000 years era). These signs include the frequent earthquakes and deaths (Ref: Bukhari). The blessed Holy Prophet foretold that in that time when faith would ascend to Pleiades (i.e., would become weak), a promised faithful servant of him would restore it. (Ref: Bukhari). This Promised Faithful of blessed Holy Prophet warned in 1907: Think not that earthquake visited America and other continents but that your own country shall remain secure. Indeed, you may experience a greater hardship. O Europe, you are not safe and O Asia, you too, are not immune. And O dwellers of Islan, no fasle gods shall come to your rescue. I see cities fall and settlement laid waste. The One and the Only God kept silent for long. Heinous deeds were done before His eyes and He said nothing. But now He shall reveal His Face in majesty and awe……God is slow in His wrath. Repent that you may be shown mercy! He who does not fear Him is dead, not alive. It is correct that natural disasters occur due to the laws of nature. Earthquakes happen when the earth’s plate tectonics move. It is correct that New Zealand, Japan and many islands are located on plate tectonics and that is why they experience more earthquakes. However, it is also noteworthy that the one commissioned by God in the current age foretold earthquakes. (Ref: Friday sermon of Fifth Khalifah of The Promised Faithful Guide, March 18-th 2011, ww.alislam.org ) May God help the world to accept the promised solution for peace and restoration of faith, as foretold by Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). Amen.
People always knew that earthquakes are unsafe. And they knew that the more it happens, the crazier life gets. It doesn't take a prophet to believe that earthquakes would increase. It's something people would've suggested as a worse case scenario anyway.
