OF EARTHQUAKES ..

For those in the process of discovering the religion, perhaps what to make of the natural catastrophes can be seen in the light of recent events.

With more than 15 earthquake recordings off the Sumatera coast upto 930pm yesterday and readings up to 8.6, we are reminded of the fears of the consequences of natural disasters.

* وَڪَأَيِّن مِّنۡ ءَايَةٍ۬ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ يَمُرُّونَ عَلَيۡہَا وَهُمۡ عَنۡہَا مُعۡرِضُونَ *

And how many Signs in the heavens and the earth do they pass by? Yet they turn (their faces) away from them!

[Surah Yusuf verse 105 English translation by Yusuf Ali]

In fact, many verses in the Quran that describes the beginning of the end of the earth that leads to the day of judgement is one of a big earthquake. The day of judgement is when humans will have their report card of what they have done on earth. Maybe the small earthquakes we see now is each a reminder..

(1) إِذَا زُلۡزِلَتِ ٱلۡأَرۡضُ زِلۡزَالَهَا

(2) وَأَخۡرَجَتِ ٱلۡأَرۡضُ أَثۡقَالَهَا

(3) وَقَالَ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنُ مَا لَهَا

(4) يَوۡمَٮِٕذٍ۬ تُحَدِّثُ أَخۡبَارَهَا

(5)بِأَنَّ رَبَّكَ أَوۡحَىٰ لَهَا

(6) يَوۡمَٮِٕذٍ۬ يَصۡدُرُ ٱلنَّاسُ أَشۡتَاتً۬ا لِّيُرَوۡاْ أَعۡمَـٰلَهُمۡ

When the Earth is shaken to her (utmost) convulsion, (1) And the Earth throws up her burdens (from within), (2) And man cries (distressed): `What is the matter with her?' (3) On that Day will she declare her tidings: (4)For that thy Lord will have given it inspiration. (5) On that Day will men proceed in companies sorted out, to be shown the Deeds that they (had done). (6)

[Surah Az-Zalzalah verses 1-6 English translation by Yusuf Ali]

Wallahualam.

THE LIGHT SHONE ON ME

Dawn came and went. Another new day.

Just as I had always ignored the beginning of a new day as an insignificant event, so had I on the faith I had been born into.

All these years I have stumbled upon my blessed brethren that had become muslims. "Embrace" is the usual term used although to my lofty thinking it is too presumptious of a word but is consistent with the requirement of having good thoughts on others.
Being born into the faith makes me insensitive to the awareness of choice of faith. Oblivious to the thinking, emotions and the experience of "embracing" Islam.

Looking out to the sky with a squint and a frown, it is nearly noon.
Alhamdulillah I whispered. Indeed, Alhamdulillah.

Andri