Natural events and divine test

Divine traditions (part 2)

Why does God test His servants with all kinds of calamities? All human beings have witnessed all kinds of trials during their lives. One of these divine traditions is natural disasters, which can have other reasons in addition to divine wisdom and expediency. we are going to mention them briefly in this article.

social benefits

In addition to the fact that nations and governments have expressed sympathy, governments and nations are getting closer together, and many of the poor in the region will be supported and have a dignified life. and dozens of other social, economic, mental, and spiritual benefits that result from the existence of these types of sad events.

principles of engineering

And one of the most important benefits of such accidents is to learn to observe the principles of engineering in construction and the necessary precautions to prevent casualties and future irreparable damages.

Sins and Mistakes

Some calamities occur due to the sins and mistakes of the man himself that have such consequences.

These kinds of calamities also come from human thought and action.

The Holy Quran says:

If the people of the towns had been faithful and Godwary, we would have opened to them blessings from heaven and earth. But they denied it, so We seized them because of what they used to earn.[1]

punishment

of course, it is not the case that all the events, such as earthquakes, floods, etc., which occur in the natural world, are the result of human deeds, but can have other causes as well. We have no doubt that some of these shocking evils are for neglect and punishment.

Imam Sadiq (A.S) says about one of the wisdom of earth-shaking:

O Mofazal! Take a lesson from the fate of people who perished in a short time (a few seconds) due to earthquakes, and how a group left their homes and ran away.

If someone says: Why does the earth shake? We say: Earthquakes and other events are warning for people to be afraid and observe piety and refrain from sin.

Expedients

Other calamities that descend on life and property are due to expedients; If people are worthy and righteous, instead, rewards will be saved for their hereafter- Nothing in the world compares to it-

And sometimes these kinds of calamities accelerate (arrive at a young age) because of individual and social expediency.[2]

Conclusion

According to the verses and Islamic traditions, all human beings are tested in different ways, such as breath, illness, health, poverty, wealth, beauty, strength, talent, children, spouse, etc., so that their hidden talents are revealed. And the divine test is for cultivating the human soul and body; That is, just as gold is taken to the furnace to burn under the pressure of fire and become pure, the divine test also makes a person more resistant, more aware, and purer in the same way. And the exam is a good opportunity to make up for past mistakes and return to God Almighty.

Reference:

[1] - Araf, verse 96

[2] - (Bihar, vol. 3, p. 121, Dar al-Ahaya al-Tarath al-Arabi, Beirut, 1403 A.H.)