Our country is faced with many calamities. There is a drought which resulted to energy crisis. President Gloria Macapagal - Arroyo asked for emergency powers to mitigate a dry spell that could lead to an energy crisis in the country. In La Union, Isabela, Cagayan and some parts in Nothern Luzon are declared under state of calamity. She has directed agencies to implement measures to mitigate the effects of drought as well as other actions to conserve water and power.

In Sorsogon, Mt. Bulusan is emitting ash fall posing severe threats to the health condition amongst nearby communities. Eventually, this could lead to skin diseases if not prevented. In some part of Luzon areas, people speak of meningococcemia, hog flu, etc. Many people are floundering in darkness. They don't know what to do. They cling to values that have nothing to do with life. Just recently, the Catholic Church called for Oracion Imperata (obligatory prayer) to invoke for rain. But this is not enough. The Catholic Church should have warned the people first to lessen their evil deeds and ask for forgiveness from God before engaging people for rain supplication through obligatory prayer.

On seeing the clouds gathering in the sky, they thought it would bring cool, refreshing rain, and rushed outside in the hope of enjoying the rainfall. Instead, the cloud burst, hurling whirlwind and strong wind with heavy rains. A strong typhoon named "Dodong" hit their way destroying several houses, causing landslides and brownouts. Then, it was followed by another tropical storm "Chedeng". According to National Disaster and Coordinating Council (NDCC), loses in properties and agriculture crops are estimated around 20.1 million and a total of 16, 796 families were affected.

Whilst people discuss whether cloud seeding is fit enough to withstand the drought's tremor. let us look at the various references found in the Qur'an and Sunah. In the light of Qur'an, calamities were sent down when sins and disobedience become widespread and people increase their wrongdoings.

It shall be recalled that in the days of Musa (Alayhisalam) - that there was a sinner amongst Bani Israeel that had disobeyed Allah (swt) for more than 40 years of his life. Allah (swt) told Musa (Alayhisalam) to separate the sinner from the congregation and only then shall they be rescued from drought. The sinner raised his hands with sincerity he had never known before, with humiliated he had never tasted, tears poured on both cheeks. "O Allah, hide my sins! O Allah forgive me!" Because of this, the clouds hugged the sky and the rain poured.

It is also worth recalling of the incident that took place during the time of Prophet Hud (Alayhi sallam) when he warned his people  of thier disobedience to Allah (swt). They were too arrogant and obstinate. Because of this, a drought spread throughout the land. The sun scorched the dessert sands, looking like a disk of fire which settled on people's heads. A day came when they found the sky full of clouds. Hud's people were glad thinking the cloud will give them rain. Unfortunately, the weather changed suddenly from burning dry and hot to stinging cold, with wind that shook trees, plants, buildings day after day and night after night.

Allah (swt) recounts:

"Then, when they saw the (Penalty in the shape of ) a cloud traversing the sky, coming to meet their valleys, they said," This cloud will give us rain", Nay, it is the (calamity) ye were asking to be hastened! - A wind wherein is a Grievous Penalty" [46:24]

Thus, disasters and calamities are a result of our increasing evil deeds and disobedience to Allah for He said:

"Whatever of good reaches you, is from Allah, but whatever of evil befalls you, is from yourself" [4:79].

In another verse:

"And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much" [42:30]

In times like this, invoking prayer should be addressed directly to the One who can respond, which is only the Almighty Allah (swt). Allah (swt) said:

"If Allah allows you harm to fall you, none can remove except Him".

This is a clear statement that all forms of worship should be directed to Him.

Christians, however, influenced by the teachings of Saul from Tarsus (later called Paul) deified Prophet Jesus and directed their prayer in the belief that these saints can directly influence the affairs of this world. The Catholics also use their priests as intercessors between themselves and Allah (swt) in the mistaken belief that the priests listened to by Allah (swt). Unfortunately, this is not so.

According to Qur'an, when Makkans were questioned about directing their prayers to their idols, they answered "We only worship them so that they may bring us closer to Allah" . The idols were only used as intermediaries yet Allah (swt) called them pagans for their practice.

On the other hand, the Philippines Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration or (PAG-ASA) got baffled of their usual forecast of the tropical cyclone which usually tracks during the months of July, August and September. Unfortunately, rains as expected never came.

This is probably because of a serious shortcoming in scientific world itself which leads all thinking people, right from Albert Einstein to Stephen Hawking to feel strongly that "there are aspects in the universe which are extremely difficult to understand". That is, science, could only answer the question "what". But it could not tell man anything about the "why" of things. It was as if science had given man a good machine in perfect working order, but had told him nothing about its Maker.

It is true; the universe as discovered by Science, is unmarred by anything of a contradictory nature. Yet, scientists have not been able to build up a convincing body of scientific knowledge without making reference to God. This is because of a universe which is free of contradictions cannot be explained without God.

Today, as we stumble through our confused and turbulent world, as we suffer from uncertainty and depression, we must check ourselves first for our evil deeds and seek refuge to the ONE most able to rescue us from danger.

In conclusion, I would say that Muslims, being the sole possession of the solution to the intellectual crises which beset man at the present time, we need to carry the message of LAA ILLAHA ILLALLAH through effective da'wah to these people in Luzon. They are searching and they are lost. We need to show them the proofs that can help them understand and be convinced coming into Islam. They need to know about the pure submission to Al-Mighty, the Most High. They are lookin in all directions to solve their problems. But they can't find permanent solutions without Allah (swt).

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ABOUT THE SUBMITTER:

Written by AbdulGaphor M. Panimbang who can be reached at his own webjournal "The Lake Lanao Post" at http://gpanimbang.wordpress.com . This article may be published without the consent of the author so long as the publisher's box is included in the post. 

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