Allah (Exalted be He) says concerning the people of the Book: “And if only they had acted according to the Taurât (Torah), the Injeel (Gospel), and what has (no

Allah (Exalted be He) also says: “Did the people of the towns then feel secure against the coming of Our punishment by night while they were asleep? Or, did the people of the towns then feel secure against the coming of Our punishment in the forenoon while they were playing? Did they then feel secure against the Plan of Allâh? None feels secure from the Plan of Allâh except the people who are the losers.” [Al-A’raf: 97-99] Ibn Al-Qayyim (may Allah be merciful to him) said: “Allah (Glorified be He) may sometimes permit the earth to breathe. Great earthquakes happen due to this breath. These earthquakes may cause people to fear Allah (Exalted be He), repent to Him, supplicate to Him, forsake sins and regret what they have done. Some of the Salaf (righteous predecessors) said when the earth was shaken: your Lord admonishes you. ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) delivered a speech to admonish people when an earthquake happened in Al-Madinah and said: “If this happens again, I will not live among you in Madinah.” End of quote. There are many narrations reported from the Salaf in this regard. Therefore, we have to repent to Allah (Exalted be He) immediately on the occurrence of earthquakes, eclipses, fierce winds, and floods. We have also to supplicate to Him and ask Him to grant us well-being. Moreover, we must mention Him a lot and seek His forgiveness. As he (peace be upon him) said on observing Solar Eclipse: “If you see such thing (i.e. solar eclipse) hasten to remember Allah, supplicate to Him and beg forgiveness from Him.” [Bukhāri & Muslim] It is desirable also to show mercy to the poor and the needy and to give them charity. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “**Show mercy to others and surely you will be shown mercy. The Compassionate One has mercy on those who are merciful. If you show mercy to those who are on the earth, He Who is in the heaven will show mercy to you.” [Ahmad 6255] He (peace be upon him) said also: “Whoever is not merciful to others will not be treated mercifully.” [Bukhāri] It is reported that ‘Umar ibn Abdul-Aziz (may Allah be merciful to him) used to write to his employees if there were earthquakes telling them to give charity. One of the causes of well-being and avoiding evil is the rulers fast punishment of evildoers and forcing them to follow the truth and Allah’s laws. They should also enjoin good and forbid evil as it is said by Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He): “The believers, men and women, are Auliyâ’ (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another; they enjoin (on the people) Al-Ma‘rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm orders one to do), and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e. polytheism and disbelief of all kinds, and all that Islâm has forbidden); they perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât), and give the Zakât, and obey Allâh and His Messenger. Allâh will have His Mercy on them. Surely Allâh is All-Mighty, All-Wise.” [Al-Tawbah: 71] Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says: “Verily, Allâh will help those who help His (Cause). Truly, Allâh is All-Strong, All-Mighty. Those (Muslim rulers) who, if We give them power in the land, (they) enjoin Iqamat-as-Salât [i.e. to perform the five compulsory congregational Salât (prayers) (the males in mosques)], pay the Zakât and they enjoin Al-Ma‘rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm orders one to do), and forbid Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism and all that Islâm has forbidden) [i.e. they make the Qur’ân as the law of their country in all the spheres of life]. And with Allâh rests the end of (all) matters (of creatures).” [Al-Hajj: 40-41]