Komashisha
Human beings and this vast universe are created by Allah. Allah created men and genes only for his worship. But they forget the obligations to Allah and do evil deeds. When they cross the limit, Allah often send natural disasters to warn them about their duties. Flood is one of the disasters which come from Allah for warning the sinner and testing the believers.
About 25 lakh people in the country have become affected by floods. According to a report, some 3,93,496 families have been affected by the devastating floods in 19 districts. Many flood-affected people have taken shelter in schools and cyclone shelters. They need emergency food items including rice, pulse, sugar, salt, oil and saline. Thousands of hectares of cropland are under water. Around 800 educational institutions have been closed. About 500 kilometres of roads have become badly damaged. Many roads have gone under water snapping all types of vehicular movement in the flood-affected districts.
In different verses of the Holy Qur’an Allah has clarified this point many times that floods, earthquakes and natural disasters are punishment for disbelievers and transgressors and warnings for sinners but sometimes they do come to test the believers and pious people as well. Tribe of the Prophet Noah (AS) was indulged in polytheism. These polytheists did not accept the message of Noah (AS) and, as a result, they had to face the punishment of Allah in the form of a devastating and widespread flood. Sometimes natural disasters are warning for sinners who cross the limit. Allah says in the Holy Qur’an: “And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much.” (Sura Shura: Ayat 30).
Natural disasters are the tests for both who are affected and not-affected. If affected people have patience they will be closer to Allah. Allah, the almighty, says in the Holy Qur’an: “And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to Sâbirin (the patient ones, etc.).” (Sura Baqarah: Ayat 55). Flood is the test for the people who are not flood victims. By this test Allah certainly knows those who stand beside the affected people with necessary help and those who don’t. Who stand beside flood victims will certainly pass the test and be rewarded in the life Hereafter. Those who don’t will be punished for not passing the test. Abdullah bin ‘Amr (Ra.) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) said: “The merciful are shown mercy by Rahman. Be merciful on the earth, and you will be shown mercy from Who is above the heavens. The womb is named after Rahman, so whoever connects it, Allah connects him, and whoever severs it, Allah severs him.” (Jame Tirmiji).
The victims of flood have lost almost everything; their homes and their belongings including livestock and even standing crops. There is an immediate need to provide them with shelters, foods, pure drinking water, medicines and worm clothes. Whoever extends their helping hands to the flood victims, Allah will give them back returns on the Day of Judgment. Narrated Abu Sayeed Khudri (Ra.) that the Prophet (Pbuh) said: “If any Muslim clothes a Muslim when he is naked, Allah will clothe him with some green garments of Paradise; if any Muslim feeds a Muslim when he is hungry, Allah will feed him with some of the fruits of Paradise; and if any Muslim gives a Muslim drink when he is thirsty, Allah will give him some of the pure wine which is sealed to drink.” (Abu Dawod).
Despite having ability to help the flood victims who do provide them with necessary things, they certainly will be asked on the Day of Resurrection. Abu Huraira (Ra.) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (Pbuh) said: “Verily, Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, would say on the Day of Resurrection: ‘O son of Adam, I was sick but you did not visit Me.’ He would say: ‘O my Lord, how could I visit Thee whereas Thou art the Lord of the worlds?’ Thereupon He would say: ‘Didn’t you know that such and such servant of Mine was sick but you did not visit him and were you not aware of this that if you had visited him, you would have found Me in him? O son of Adam, I asked food from you but you did not feed Me.’ He would say: ‘My Lord, how could I feed Thee whereas Thou art the Lord of the worlds?’ He said: ‘Didn’t you know that such and such servant of Mine asked for food from you but you did not feed him, and were you not aware that if you had fed him you would have found him by My side?’ (The Lord would again say: ) ‘O son of Adam, I asked drink from you but you did not provide Me that.’ He would say: ‘My Lord, how could I provide Thee whereas Thou art the Lord of the worlds?’ Thereupon He would say: ‘Such and such of servant of Mine asked you for a drink but you did not provide him, and had you provided him drink you would have found him near Me.’” (Sahih Muslim). As human beings, and more so as Muslims, we should not let sufferings of the flood-affected people continue without providing them with help and support, according to our individual capabilities.
Jubayer Ahmad
The writer is an Islamic thinker and Khatib, Baitush Shafique Mosque, Board Bazar, Gazipur.
