Exactly one year after a quake in Bam Iran killed 31,000 (Dec 26 2003) the world is in much shock about the disastrous earthquake and tsunami in the Indian Ocean, much sadness too -- and a desire to do something, as reports just keep on pouring in about the aftermath of the devastation. 

Largest Natural Tragedy 

This week (Sunday December 26, 2004) we witnessed the largest natural tragedy to strike the human race in modern times. A 9.0-magnitude quake struck 6 miles beneath the ocean and ruptured a 600-mile stretch of fault running north and south off the coast of Sumatra. The quake moved the entire island of Sumatra about 100 feet to the southwest. Such a large earthquake beneath the sea floor causes a large region of the seabed to drop which in turn results in the whole sea above -- perhaps over an area of hundreds of square miles -- to drop by the same amount, setting off a train of massive waves known as tsunamis which can accelerate to 600 mph and stretch up to 100 miles long. Such a Tsunami developed and the result ... within hours - over 150 000 dead, over 40 million displaced, over a million injured, thousands missing, leaving up to five million people across 12 countries without access to the basic requirements for life - water, food and sanitation. We are indeed witnessing devastation of biblical proportions, suffering unprecedented in contemporary times; death and destruction beyond belief, affecting the most heavily populated areas of the world. The images of the aftermath of the Tsunami and earthquake are shocking and by comparison with past disasters, this one has not been confined to just one country or region, neither in terms of impact nor in news worthiness. This is the first cataclysmic tragedy in which the entire Indian Ocean region is both shocked spectator and direct victim. 

We should reflect on the fact that ...

• These outbursts of nature are reminders to all mankind that we have no control whatsoever over the planet. Likewise, each disaster serves the purpose of reminding us of our inherent weakness. These are surely warnings to those that can contemplate the significance of such events and draw lessons from the experience of others.
• The terrible effects spreading all around the Indian Ocean and reaching as far as the Horn of Africa are a further reminder of the global threat from natural catastrophes.
• The modern era flatters itself that human beings can now know and shape almost everything about the world. But an event like the Indonesian earthquake exposes much of this for the hubris that it is. Whatever else it has achieved, the Indian Ocean tsunami has at least reminded mankind of its enduring vulnerability in the face of nature.
• Each one of these events is important in the sense that it reminds man that neither wealth nor power, science nor technology has any power to resist the forces greater than ourselves. 
• Suddenly we know the frailty of our place in the world just like those billions of people for whom frailty is all-too-familiar. The hope is that our newfound sense of vulnerability will lead to a kind of international empathy and solidarity. Such empathy could be the cornerstone of a new spirit of international cooperation -- a cooperation that provides the only way to ensure a better world.

Indonesian survivors walk through debris surrounding the biggest mosque in Banda Aceh

Allah did not make this world a permanent world. This is a temporary world and everything here is finite and has a time limit. When its time comes it will die. Neither the good things of this world are forever, nor the bad things eternal. 

Experts said the top five areas to be addressed were water, sanitation, food, shelter and health. Humanitarian agencies began what the United Nations said would become the biggest relief effort the world has ever seen, and the costliest ever. As we commit ourselves to assist, remember, many of the victims are children and most of the affected are among the world's poorest people in among the most densely populated parts of the world. The Prophet Muhammad constantly exhorted helping the poor, alleviating the suffering of the distressed and mercy for the young. 

People have suffered an unprecedented calamity due to natural causes; it is our turn to respond to their needs with equal generosity and speed, rather than merely watch the process on television as detached spectators. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Whoever meets the needs of his fellow human beings, Allah will meet his needs."

To help the victims of this tragedy you can Donate Here

Sadullah Khan is the Director of Islamic Center of Irvine. He has presented lectures on Islamic Civilization at California State University at Dominguez Hills. He is a frequent lecturer for the Academy of Judaic, Christian and Islamic Studies at UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles). He is also an advisor to the Chancellor's Committee on Religion Ethics and Values at UCLA and serves as Director of Muslim Affairs at USC (University of Southern California).

You can watch his lectures on Empowerment at IslamiTV

Dimensions of the Qur'an The lucid and clear reflections of Sa'dullah Khan, his smooth sailing in the oceans of Qur'anic wisdom and beauty is most encouraging and pleasantly inviting the English reader of the Qur'an to plunge again into the ultimate source of enlightenment and empowerment that we have.