In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

They Survived The Earthquake After 24 or 200 Hours?! [Amazement of a Materialist – Worshipper of Cause and Effect, and Disbeliever In Qadaa Wal Qadr]

Indeed, it is expected that the obstinate materialists, atheists and their ilk would expressed wonder in a manner to deny everything tied to the all-encompassing Will of The Creator. Their predecessors – amongst the disbelievers – did also express wonder whilst seeking to deny the truth. Allaah [The Exalted] stated:

[أَوَعَجِبتُم أَن جاءَكُم ذِكرٌ مِن رَبِّكُم عَلىٰ رَجُلٍ مِنكُم لِيُنذِرَكُم وَلِتَتَّقوا وَلَعَلَّكُم تُرحَمونَ – Do you wonder that there has come to you a Reminder from your Lord through a man from amongst you, that he may warn you, so that you may fear Allah and that you may receive (His) Mercy?] [Surah Al-A’raaf. Aayah 63]

وَإِن تَعجَب فَعَجَبٌ قَولُهُم أَإِذا كُنّا تُرابًا أَإِنّا لَفي خَلقٍ جَديدٍ ۗ أُولٰئِكَ الَّذينَ كَفَروا بِرَبِّهِم ۖ وَأُولٰئِكَ الأَغلالُ في أَعناقِهِم ۖ وَأُولٰئِكَ أَصحابُ النّارِ ۖ هُم فيها خالِدونَ

And if you (O Muhammad ) wonder (at these polytheists who deny your message of Islamic Monotheism and have taken besides Allah others for worship who can neither harm nor benefit), then wondrous is their saying: “When we are dust, shall we indeed then be (raised) in a new creation?” They are those who disbelieve in their Lord! They are those who will have iron chains tying their hands to their necks. They will be dwellers of the Fire to abide therein. [Surah Ar-Rad. Aayah 5]

Qaf. By the Glorious Qur’an. Nay, they wonder that there has come to them a warner (Muhammad ) from among themselves. So the disbelievers say: “This is a strange thing! “When we are dead and have become dust (shall we be resurrected?) That is a far return.” We know that which the earth takes of them (their dead bodies), and with Us is a Book preserved (i.e. the Book of Decrees). Nay, but they have denied the truth (this Qur’an) when it has come to them, so they are in a confused state (can not differentiate between right and wrong). Have they not looked at the heaven above them, how We have made it and adorned it, and there are no rifts in it? And the earth! We have spread it out, and set thereon mountains standing firm, and have produced therein every kind of lovely growth (plants). An insight and a Reminder for every slave turning to Allah (i.e. the one who believes in Allah and performs deeds of His obedience, and always begs His pardon). And We send down blessed water (rain) from the sky, then We produce therewith gardens and grain (every kind of harvests) that are reaped. And tall date-palms, with ranged clusters; a provision for (Allah’s) slaves. And We give life therewith to a dead land. Thus will be the resurrection (of the dead). [Surah Qaf. Aayaat 1-11]

Secondly, Allaah [The Exalted] also informed us about them as follows:

[وَقالوا ما هِيَ إِلّا حَياتُنَا الدُّنيا نَموتُ وَنَحيا وَما يُهلِكُنا إِلَّا الدَّهرُ ۚ وَما لَهُم بِذٰلِكَ مِن عِلمٍ ۖ إِن هُم إِلّا يَظُنّونَ – And they say: “There is nothing but our life of this world, we die and we live and nothing destroys us except Ad-Dahr (the time). And they have no knowledge of it, they only conjecture]. [Surah Al-Jaathiyah. Aayah 24]

Those polytheists said: “Life is nothing but our worldly life in which we live, and there is no life except it”, so they denied the resurrection after death – that nothing destroys them except the passing of nights and days and the length of life, and denied that they have a God who will completely bring their affair to an end and destroy them. They have no knowledge of that and they only speak based on conjecture, delusion and imagination. [Tafseer Muyassar]

You find the blind followers amongst the journalists transmitting these beliefs of the polytheists of old- that cause and effect is solely what brings about good or evil, and nothing tied to the Will of the Creator; therefore, whoever dies or survives – according to them – during earthquakes or other calamities is solely due to the causes and effects.

No Soul Will Die Except By Allaah’s Will

Allaah [The Exalted] said: [لَهُ مُعَقِّباتٌ مِن بَينِ يَدَيهِ وَمِن خَلفِهِ يَحفَظونَهُ مِن أَمرِ اللَّهِ ] [Surah Ar-Ra’d. Aayah 11]

[لَهُ ]: Meaning, there is for the human being; [مُعَقِّباتٌ]: from the angels in succession – day and night; [ مِن بَينِ يَدَيهِ وَمِن خَلفِهِ يَحفَظونَهُ مِن أَمرِ اللَّهِ – before and behind him; guarding him (or her) by the Command of Allah]- Meaning, they protect the person’s body and soul against everyone who wishes evil for him (or her); record the person’s deeds and they are always with him (or her). Furthermore, Allaah’s knowledge completely surrounds the person, because He sent these guardians to watch over (His) servants, so that neither is anything of their circumstances nor deeds is hidden, and nothing of them will be forgotten. (1)

Allaah [The Exalted] said:

وَمَا كَانَ لِنَفْسٍ أَن تَمُوتَ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ كِتَابًا مُّؤَجَّلًا ۗ وَمَن يُرِدْ ثَوَابَ الدُّنْيَا نُؤْتِهِ مِنْهَا وَمَن يُرِدْ ثَوَابَ الْآخِرَةِ نُؤْتِهِ مِنْهَا ۚ وَسَنَجْزِي الشَّاكِرِينَ

And no person can ever die except by Allah’s Will and at an appointed term. And whoever desires a reward in (this) world, We shall give him of it; and whoever desires a reward in the Hereafter, We shall give him thereof. And We shall reward the grateful. [Surah Aal Imran. Aayah 145]

All the souls are attached to their appointed term by Allaah’s permission and Pre-Decree (see footnote a). For whoever it is decreed to die, he (or she) will die even without any (manifest) cause, and for whoever is to remain alive, even if he encounters all the causes of death, he will not be harmed by that before reaching his appointed term of death. This is because Allah willed and decreed that he (or she) is to live till an appointed term; (as Allaah stated): [إذا جاء أجلهم فلا يستأخرون ساعة ولا يستقدمون – when their term is reached, neither can they delay it nor can they advance it an hour (or a moment)]. [Surah Al-A’raaf. Aayah 34] (2)

Recently, those deprived of this mighty belief in Qadaa Wal Qadr [Allaah’s Pre-decree] express great amazement when that which they expected – due to solely determining the outcomes of events by way of cause and erffect – did not happen. Their experts stated that most rescues occur in the 24 hours after an earthquake and it is very unlikely for people to survive thereafter!!!! However, this prediction of theirs was proven wrong once again. Hakan Yasinoglu, in his 40s, was rescued in the southern province of Hatay, 278 hours after the 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck in the dead of night on 6 February. A 77 year old woman was pulled alive from the rubble of last week’s earthquake after 228 hours, Turkey’s state-run news agency Anadolu reported. Another woman, identified as 45-year-old Melike İmamoğlu, was rescued after 222 hours in rubble in the city of Kahramanmaras, according to Turkey’s state television TRT Haber. In the same region, a 35-year-old woman – believed to have been buried for around 205 hours, according to state broadcaster TRT Haber – was rescued. Others were rescued too – two brothers, two men and a women – all on Tuesday, eight days after the quake. Indeed, did Allaah not say: [وَمَا كَانَ لِنَفْسٍ أَن تَمُوتَ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ كِتَابًا مُّؤَجَّلًا ۗ – And no person can ever die except by Allah’s Will and at an appointed term]; however, those who solely determine the outcomes of events based on cause and effect still seek to cling to another affair saying that “perhaps those who survived beyond 24 or 100 hours whilst trapped in rubble were saved due to the freezing temperatures in the quake zone which may be extending survival times for people trapped. The cold weather- as they say- is a double edged sword. On the one hand, it makes it very difficult, it is below freezing right now, but on the other hand, it may reduce the demands for water and perhaps that influencing these events – the rescues after 200 hours out”. Indeed, all affairs are tied to Allaah’s Pre-decree and nothing can happen except by His Will, as Imaam As-Sadi stated: “All the souls are attached to their appointed term by Allaah’s permission and Pre-Decree (a). For wheover it is decreed to die, he (or she) will die even without any (nmanifest) cause, and for whover is to remain alive, even if he encounters all the causes of death, he will not be harmed by that before reaching his appointed term of death. This is because Allah willed and decreed that he (or she) is to live till an appointed term; (as Allaah stated): [إذا جاء أجلهم فلا يستأخرون ساعة ولا يستقدمون – when their term is reached, neither can they delay it nor can they advance it an hour (or a moment)]. [Surah Al-A’raaf. Aayah 34]

Allaah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said to Ibn Abbaas [may Allaah be pleased with him and his father], “And if the nations gathered together to harm you, they could not harm you unless Allah has decreed it for you…” [Sunan at-Tirmidhi‌ 2516]

There is no harm when the human being observes, examines, make analogies and seeks to reach conclusions based on what he or she is allowed to acquire of knowledge and experience, but the problem with these people is that they removes Will from all causes and effects. Al-Allaamah Abdur Rahmaan Bin Yahyah al-Mu’allimee [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: “It is well known that a person is born knowing nothing, but rather he is accompanied with the physical ability to feel pain and the like. I mean – for example – when pinched, he feels the pain due to that. This (feelings) accompanied him since the time the soul was placed in him (see footnote a); but it is not considered to be knowledge. And (also) with him is an innate disposition by way of which he latches on the mother’s breast and suckles. Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic] said: [وَٱللَّهُ أَخۡرَجَكُم مِّنۢ بُطُونِ أُمَّهَـٰتِكُمۡ لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا – And Allah has brought you out from the wombs of your mothers while you know nothing]. [Surah An-Nahl. Verse 78]

Then, after birth, he begins to perceive tangible things through his senses and this gradually increases through analogy (or comparing one thing or situation to another). It becomes the norm (or customary) that his mother lifts him from his cradle when she wants to breastfeed him, so when this is repeated, he realises – by way of analogy -that she will breastfeed him if she lifts him from his cradle. You see him cry when he is hungry, silent when you take him from his cradle and returns to crying if a moment passes and you do not breastfeed him. This is how his general knowledge is developed through perceiving tangible things and analogy, and the analogy itself is strengthened through repetition, and this – itself – is Istiqraa [examination, scrutiny and extrapolation].

Then through perceiving tangible things and analogy, the underlying causes become registered in mind and heart, such as the fact that existence and non-existence are not combined together, and that a thing is greater than its part, and that an event must have one to bring it into existence. What is meant (or intended in this discussion) is that he perceives either by his senses or by way of analogy based on what he perceives through his senses. The fact of the matter is that the intellect acts on or (reacts to) the tangible things and analogies, and judges as to whether an affair is definitely correct or preponderant, wrong or possible. This stays with a person for the duration of his life, but the more he grows, learns, reasons and reflects, the more his knowledge is enhanced through the many tangible things that can be perceived through the senses, the greater ability to analogize and the strength of the intellect.

If there is a person with you in the house, you know that he is present either by seeing him or hearing his voice, either through perception or by touching him, or smelling his body odour. And through your previous extrapolation, you realize (or understand) that he is a human being – that such and such shape, or that voice, or the tangible object you’ve had contact with or smell is a human being. And through another extrapolation, you realize that he is such and such person- that the shape, voice, the tangible object you’ve had contact with and the smell are that of such and such specific person.

You may exit your room and leave none in there; then you return shortly and find that an incident has taken place in there; so you know from your previous extrapolation and making a judgement by way of your intellect that something did cause it. If you wanted to know the reason, you investigate by utilizing your previous extrapolation. It maybe that a paper shifted from its position and the cause may be the wind. It may be that there was a book on an unstable place and you’ve seen that it fell; therefore you ponder that its instability for a while was due to its heavy weight and inability to remain stable led it to lean gradually in the direction from which it fell until it completely fell at that time. And if something was attached to a weak string (or cord) and then it snapped, you reflect and notice that due to the heavy weight of the thing that was on the string (or cord), its strength weakened and snapped bit by bit until it snapped (completely). And if a vessel containing food was in a stable place, but then you came and it had fallen, you would think (or suspect) that a mouse, a cat or the like jumped forcefully on it and it fell. If a vessel containing light food was taken from above a table and placed on another table far from it, and there was a monkey in the house or its vicinity that might have entered that room, it is possible to say that the monkey was responsible. And if a heavy box was placed on the ground, but moved from its place to another place, you would hold the view that a person entered and did so, and you’ll also know that the person is alive and has the ability to do such an action. If several things that were in the room were diverted from their places and arranged in a better and more perfect arrangement than before, you would know that such a person is wise to the extent of what was required (of ability) to carry out their arrangement. If the room was sealed from the inside, then you came and stood close to the door, and you know that no human could enter after you; but then you returned and found that the luggage had been diverted from their places and arranged in another arrangement that was more creative and perfect than what it was before; then you would establish one of two possibilities: either he is a person with ability that is beyond what is known to be the norm, so he entered the room from where it was not customary for a person to enter; or he is present, alive, knowledgeable, able and wise beyond that of a human being and other species that you’ve seen before. So with this, you realized his existence by analogy with the existence of tangible things that can be perceived by the senses, and also what you realise (or understand) regarding his attributes (or qualities)”. (3)

Imaam As-Sadi [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: The greatest evils of knowledge and inconsistencies occurs as a result of acquainting oneself with the creation without its Creator, acquaintance with effects without the One who created those effects, acquaintance with causes without the one who created those causes and acquaintance with the paths without its sound goals. The deficiency in this type of acquaintance is numerous and its harm is great, for indeed many of the atheists and those deceived by them are skilled in the natural sciences, but they confine themselves to it and are blind regarding its association with its Creator and Causer. And with regards to that which is placed in these natural sciences of wonders and secrets, they see themselves as those who know the wonders of the natural sciences – which none knows besides them – and the secrets which Allāh has placed in nature, so it gives them higher status over others and thus they become afflicted with vanity and self-deception. They confine themselves to it, consider it as the final outcome, the purpose and the goal, and thus occurs great deviation, deficiency in knowledge and intellect. If they knew and affirmed belief in the true Creator and the One Who Controls all the affairs of the Universe- the One who attached the means and causes to His Qadaa Wal Qadr (see footnote a), know that the means and causes are an abode of His Perfect Wisdom – for indeed Allāh [The Most High] is All-Wise, He placed things in their rightful places, gave the subtle affairs and big affairs an amazing orderly system and a firm association; gave everything that is sought after and the goals a means or cause, and a path that will lead to it, and due to this results and outcomes are based on the strength or weakness of the means or causes, and the strength or weakness of the performer of the deed- and then they bound these means, paths and outcomes to Allāh’s Qadaa Wal Qadr, their knowledge would have been perfected and they would have acquired of certainty that which cannot be acquired by those who have not reached their level; but they are glad (and proud) with that which they know of those paths whose tangible worldly outcomes they know and became haughty by way of them, so the statement of Allāh [The Most High] apply to them: [فلما جاءتهم رسلهم بالبينات فرحوا بما عندهم من العلم وحاق بهم ما كانوا به يستهزئون – Then when their Messengers came to them with clear proofs, they were glad (and proud) with that which they had of the knowledge (of worldly things): And that at which they used to mock, surrounded them (i.e. the punishment)]. [Surah Ghaafir. Aayah 83]

Allāh said:

وجعلنا لهم سمعا وأبصارا وأفئدة فما أغنى عنهم سمعهم ولا أبصارهم ولا أفئدتهم من شيء إذ كانوا يجحدون بآيات الله وحاق بهم ما كانوا به يستهزئون

And indeed We had firmly established them with that wherewith We have not established you (O Quraish)! And We had assigned them the (faculties of) hearing (ears), seeing (eyes), and hearts, but their hearing (ears), seeing (eyes), and their hearts availed them nothing since they used to deny the Ayat (Allah’s Prophets and their Prophethood, proofs, evidences, verses, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah, and they were completely encircled by that which they used to mock at! [Surah Al-Ahqaaf. Aayah 26]

This is the greatest evil consequence of self-amazement and arrogance without exception, and the most perilous path through which many people become beguiled and deceived; therefore we ask Allāh to blessed us with sound knowledge that is supported by sound intellect, divine text and sound natural disposition – the beneficial knowledge which the servant knows in all its aspects, and the knowledge which links the subsidiary affairs to its (sound) fundamental principles, and its means, causes, effects and outcomes are ascribed to the One Who originated and created them. It is the knowledge whose possessor does not disassociate the creation from its Creator- neither disassociates its effects from the One Who made them effective, nor disassociates the wisdom, the secrets and the amazing orderly systems in the creation from the One Who Created and Perfected them, organised them in perfect order and brought them into existence prior to their non-existence. This is the knowledge that bears the fruits of certainty and through which tranquility is obtained, and through which happiness and success is attained. It bears the fruits of beautiful manners and righteous deeds, beneficial to the religious and worldly affairs.

As for the sciences of the deviants, as we mentioned, they are mutilated and amputated. The end result of its usefulness is similar to the benefit of the physical industries as it is witnessed and clearly seen. Neither does it bear fruits of Eemaan nor honesty, neither mercy nor beautiful manners; rather its fruits are the opposite. Everyone with a great (sound) mind and (sound) high intelligence becomes extremely sorrowful that these are its goal and fruits, for indeed sound intellect understands things and fully comprehends them in all their aspects, then engages with the beneficial things, makes use of the good things and skills (or talents) which a servant is endowed with; combining between the affairs related to one’s wellbeing in this worldly life and the Hereafter, and that which benefits the body and the souls; sound examination of the principles (or precepts) and final outcomes, and linking matters that are related to each other, because anyone who is not attributed to these characteristics has deficiency in his intelligence accordingly, so how about his religion? (4)

Imaam also stated: Indeed, the religion of Islaam commanded with two mighty fundamentals and all affairs cannot be accomplished except by gathering them together. The first affair is belief in Allāh’s Qadaa Wal Qadar, and that all affairs and their means are tied to Qadaa Wal Qadar, and that what Allāh wills occurs and what He does not will cannot occur. The second principle is the command to perform beneficial deeds in the religion and worldly matters, and to distance from the causes of harm. Each of these fundamentals supports the other, because belief in Qadaa Wal Qadr aids the performers of righteous deeds, makes them active and enjoins on them to seek a breakthrough in difficult matters, whilst relying on Allāh and seeking help from His Might and Power; removes fear of the creation from their hearts, who neither own the power to benefit nor cause harm. This is an affair related to the Allaah’s Qadaa Wal Qadar, for indeed Allaah informed us that He makes things come into existence through their means and causes. And due to this, Allāh has mentioned these two fundamentals together in many places in His Book, such as His Statenment:

لِمَن شاءَ مِنكُم أَن يَستَقيمَ
وَما تَشاءونَ إِلّا أَن يَشاءَ اللَّهُ رَبُّ العالَمينَ

To whomsoever among you who wills to walk straight; and you will not, unless (it be) that Allah wills, the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists). [Surah At-Takweer. Aayaat 28-29]

Nay, verily, this (Qur’an) is an admonition, So whosoever will (let him read it), and receive admonition (from it)! And they will not receive admonition unless Allah wills. [Surah Al-Mud-daththir. Aayaat 54-56]

As for him who gives (in charity) and keeps his duty to Allah and fears Him, and believes in AlHusna; We will make smooth for him the path of ease (goodness); but he who is greedy miser and thinks himself self-sufficient; and gives the lie to Al-Husna, we will make smooth for him the path for evil. [Surah Al-Layl. Verses 5-10]

Allaah commanded that one performs actions and to be desirous of it- promised to facilitate good for the one who employs the beneficial means and the one who abandons the beneficial means is abandoned to evil. The Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “Be eager for what benefits you, seek Allāh’s Help and do not be helpless”. This includes being eager for both the beneficial affairs related to the religion and the worldly affairs. Therefore, one knows that the religion of Islaam belies what its enemies fabricate that it is retarded and impotent; rather indeed, it is invigorating and urges towards every beneficial deed, and that belief in Qadr is one of the greatest invigorators towards every beneficial deed and its greatest facilitator. This is why the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “Act because everyone will be facilitated in that which he has been created for him. Those who are to be blessed (in the Hereafter) will find it easy to do the deeds of those who are to be blessed, while those who are to be among the wretched (in the Hereafter) will find it easy to do the deeds of those who will be wretched’’, then he recited: “As for him who gives (in charity) and keeps his duty to Allah and fears Him, and believes in Al-Husna]”. [Surah Al-Layl. Aayaat 5-6]

This is why – in Islam – the one who abandons deeds and only relies on Qadr is considered insane and an idiot. Islam disapproved of those polytheists who utilized Allaah’s Divine Decree and Will as a justification for abandoning the beneficial things and informed us that doing so – as excuse – was a practice of the tyrannical nations that were punished with different types of exemplary punishments. There is no beneficial deed – big or small – and the means to it, except that the Lawgiver [Allāh] has urged towards, and that which leads to its perfection (or accomplishment). And there is no harmful deed, laziness and (unpraiseworthy) retreat, except that He has warned against it severely. The texts of the Islamic legislation regarding this fundamental can neither be counted nor enumerated, and whoever rejects it is a haughty individual, confounded and the most misguided of people. (5)

Therefore, the believer knows that there is no might or power except with Allaah. Abu Moosaa Al-Ash’aree [may Allaah be pleased with him] said: “Allaah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said to me, ‘O Abdullaah Bin Qais! Shall I tell you a word which is one of the treasures of Paradise? It is [لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللهِ – (i.e. There is neither might nor power (to alternate from one state to another nor move from one thing to another) except by Allaah’s Will]. [Bukhaari 6384 & Muslim 2704]

لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللهِ

Al-Allaamah Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] said, “Its reward is great and that is paradise; and Paradise is the greatest thing sought after. This shows the virtue of the statement [لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللهِ ]. And why does it carry that reward? That is because it necessitates surrendering all of one’s affairs to Allaah, manifesting one’s inability and poverty in the presence of Allaah, and that indeed Allaah is The One Perfect in Strength and The One Fully Able to do all things (and has power over all things). It is a great statement, easy to utter and repeat on the tongue. (6)

Al-Harwee [may allaah have mercy upon him] said that Abu Haytham [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “Al-Hawl (i.e. might) is Al-Harakah (movement), meaning, there is neither movement nor ability except by the Will of Allaah”. And it is said, “There is no might to repel evil nor any power to reach good except by the Will of Allaah”. (7)

Examples of Those Who Relied Solely On The Means Available to Them and Though That They Can Escape Allaah’s Decree

Allaah [The Exalted] said:

وَٱذۡكُرۡ أَخَا عَادٍ إِذۡ أَنذَرَ قَوۡمَهُ ۥ بِٱلۡأَحۡقَافِ وَقَدۡ خَلَتِ ٱلنُّذُرُ مِنۢ بَيۡنِ يَدَيۡهِ وَمِنۡ خَلۡفِهِۦۤ أَلَّا تَعۡبُدُوٓاْ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ عَلَيۡكُمۡ عَذَابَ يَوۡمٍ عَظِيمٍ۬
قَالُوٓاْ أَجِئۡتَنَا لِتَأۡفِكَنَا عَنۡ ءَالِهَتِنَا فَأۡتِنَا بِمَا تَعِدُنَآ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ
قَالَ إِنَّمَا ٱلۡعِلۡمُ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَأُبَلِّغُكُم مَّآ أُرۡسِلۡتُ بِهِۦ وَلَـٰكِنِّىٓ أَرَٮٰكُمۡ قَوۡمً۬ا تَجۡهَلُونَ
فَلَمَّا رَأَوۡهُ عَارِضً۬ا مُّسۡتَقۡبِلَ أَوۡدِيَتِہِمۡ قَالُواْ هَـٰذَا عَارِضٌ۬ مُّمۡطِرُنَا‌ۚ بَلۡ هُوَ مَا ٱسۡتَعۡجَلۡتُم بِهِۦ‌ۖ رِيحٌ۬ فِيہَا عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ۬
تُدَمِّرُ كُلَّ شَىۡءِۭ بِأَمۡرِ رَبِّہَا فَأَصۡبَحُواْ لَا يُرَىٰٓ إِلَّا مَسَـٰكِنُہُمۡ‌ۚ كَذَٲلِكَ نَجۡزِى ٱلۡقَوۡمَ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ
وَلَقَدۡ مَكَّنَّـٰهُمۡ فِيمَآ إِن مَّكَّنَّـٰكُمۡ فِيهِ وَجَعَلۡنَا لَهُمۡ سَمۡعً۬ا وَأَبۡصَـٰرً۬ا وَأَفۡـِٔدَةً۬ فَمَآ أَغۡنَىٰ عَنۡہُمۡ سَمۡعُهُمۡ وَلَآ أَبۡصَـٰرُهُمۡ وَلَآ أَفۡـِٔدَتُہُم مِّن شَىۡءٍ إِذۡ كَانُواْ يَجۡحَدُونَ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَحَاقَ بِہِم مَّا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يَسۡتَہۡزِءُونَ
وَلَقَدۡ أَهۡلَكۡنَا مَا حَوۡلَكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡقُرَىٰ وَصَرَّفۡنَا ٱلۡأَيَـٰتِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡجِعُونَ

And remember (Hud) the brother of ‘Ad, when he warned his people in Al-Ahqaf (the curved sand-hills in the southern part of Arabian Peninsula). And surely, there have passed away warners before him and after him (saying): “Worship none but Allah; truly, I fear for you the torment of a mighty Day.” They said: “Have you come to turn us away from our aliha (gods)? Then bring us that with which you threaten us, if you are one of the truthful! He said: “The knowledge (of the time of its coming) is with Allah only, and I convey to you that wherewith I have been sent, but I see that you are a people given to ignorance!” Then, when they saw it as a dense cloud coming towards their valleys, they said: “This is a cloud bringing us rain!” Nay, but it is that (torment) which you were asking to be hastened! a wind wherein is a painful torment! Destroying everything by the Command of its Lord! So they became such that nothing could be seen except their dwellings! Thus do We recompense the people who are Mujrimun (polytheists, disbelievers, sinners, etc.)! And indeed We had firmly established them with that wherewith We have not established you (O Quraish)! And We had assigned them the (faculties of) hearing (ears), seeing (eyes), and hearts, but their hearing (ears), seeing (eyes), and their hearts availed them nothing since they used to deny the Ayat (Allah’s Prophets and their Prophethood, proofs, evidences, verses, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah, and they were completely encircled by that which they used to mock at! And indeed We have destroyed towns (populations) round about you, and We have (repeatedly) shown (them) the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) in various ways that they might return (to the truth and believe in the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism). [Surah Al-Ahqaaf. Aayaat 21-27]

Do they not recall Namrood and his ilk?! Allaah [The Exalted] said:

قَدۡ مَڪَرَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡ فَأَتَى ٱللَّهُ بُنۡيَـٰنَهُم مِّنَ ٱلۡقَوَاعِدِ فَخَرَّ عَلَيۡہِمُ ٱلسَّقۡفُ مِن فَوۡقِهِمۡ وَأَتَٮٰهُمُ ٱلۡعَذَابُ مِنۡ حَيۡثُ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ
ثُمَّ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ يُخۡزِيهِمۡ وَيَقُولُ أَيۡنَ شُرَڪَآءِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ كُنتُمۡ تُشَـٰٓقُّونَ فِيہِمۡ‌ۚ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡعِلۡمَ إِنَّ ٱلۡخِزۡىَ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ وَٱلسُّوٓءَ عَلَى ٱلۡڪَـٰفِرِينَ

Those before them indeed plotted, but Allah struck at the foundation of their building, and then the roof fell down upon them, from above them, and the torment overtook them from directions they did not perceive. Then, on the Day of Resurrection, He will disgrace them and will say: “Where are My (so called) ‘partners’ concerning whom you used to disagree and dispute (with the believers, by defying and disobeying Allah)?” Those who have been given the knowledge (about the Torment of Allah for the disbelievers) will say: “Verily! Disgrace this Day and misery are upon the disbelievers. [An-Nahl. Aayah 26-27]

[قَدۡ مَڪَرَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡ – Those before them indeed plotted]: The Mufassiroon say that this refers to Namrood who built a tall tower in order to climb – as he claimed – the heavens and fight its inhabitants. [فَأَتَى ٱللَّهُ بُنۡيَـٰنَهُم مِّنَ ٱلۡقَوَاعِدِ فَخَرَّ عَلَيۡہِمُ ٱلسَّقۡفُ مِن فَوۡقِهِمۡ – but Allah struck at the foundation of their building, and then the roof fell down upon them, from above them]: The Mufassiroon say: Allaah sent a wind which flung the top of the tower to the sea and the rest was destroyed. [وَأَتَٮٰهُمُ ٱلۡعَذَابُ مِنۡ حَيۡثُ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ – and the torment overtook them from directions they did not perceive]: Meaning, from where they thought they were safe. [ثُمَّ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ يُخۡزِيهِمۡ – Then, on the Day of Resurrection, He will disgrace]: Meaning, disgraced with punishment. (8)

Do they not remember the son of Nuh [peace be upon him] when he disbelieved and thoufght that he could depend on something to protect him from Allaah’s Punishment?! Allaah [The Exalted] said:

وَهِىَ تَجۡرِى بِهِمۡ فِى مَوۡجٍ۬ كَٱلۡجِبَالِ وَنَادَىٰ نُوحٌ ٱبۡنَهُ ۥ وَڪَانَ فِى مَعۡزِلٍ۬ يَـٰبُنَىَّ ٱرۡڪَب مَّعَنَا وَلَا تَكُن مَّعَ ٱلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ
قَالَ سَـَٔاوِىٓ إِلَىٰ جَبَلٍ۬ يَعۡصِمُنِى مِنَ ٱلۡمَآءِ‌ۚ قَالَ لَا عَاصِمَ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ مِنۡ أَمۡرِ ٱللَّهِ إِلَّا مَن رَّحِمَ‌ۚ وَحَالَ بَيۡنَہُمَا ٱلۡمَوۡجُ فَكَانَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُغۡرَقِينَ

So it (the ship) sailed with them amidst the waves like mountains, and Nuh (Noah) called out to his son, who had separated himself (apart), “O my son! Embark with us and be not with the disbelievers.” The son replied: “I will betake myself to a mountain, it will save me from the water.” Nuh (Noah) said: “This day there is no saviour from the Decree of Allah except him on whom He has mercy.” And a wave came in between them, so he (the son) was among the drowned. [Surah Hud. Aayaat 42-43]

Do they not remember Fir’awn when he murdered the sons of Bani Israa’eel to weaken them and thought he would escape Allaah?!

Ta-Sin-Mim. These are Verses of the manifest Book (that makes clear truth from falsehood, good from evil, etc.). We recite to you some of the news of Musa (Moses) and Fir’aun (Pharaoh) in truth, for a people who believe (those who believe in this Qur’an, and in the Oneness of Allah). Verily, Fir’aun (Pharaoh) exalted himself in the land and made its people sects, weakening (oppressing) a group (i.e. Children of Israel) among them, killing their sons, and letting their females live. Verily, he was of the Mufsidun (i.e. those who commit great sins and crimes, oppressors, tyrants, etc.). And We wished to do a favour to those who were weak (and oppressed) in the land, and to make them rulers and to make them the inheritors, and to establish them in the land, and We let Fir’aun (Pharaoh) and Haman and their hosts receive from them that which they feared. And We inspired the mother of Musa (Moses), (saying): “Suckle him [Musa (Moses)], but when you fear for him, then cast him into the river and fear not, nor grieve. Verily! We shall bring him back to you, and shall make him one of (Our) Messengers.” Then the household of Fir’aun (Pharaoh) picked him up, that he might become for them an enemy and a (cause of) grief. Verily! Fir’aun (Pharaoh), Haman and their hosts were sinners. And the wife of Fir’aun (Pharaoh) said: “A comfort of the eye for me and for you. Kill him not, perhaps he may be of benefit to us, or we may adopt him as a son.” And they perceive not (the result of that). And the heart of the mother of Musa (Moses) became empty [from every thought, except the thought of Musa (Moses)]. She was very near to disclose his (case, i.e. the child is her son), had We not strengthened her heart (with Faith), so that she might remain as one of the believers. And she said to his [Musa’s (Moses)] sister: “Follow him.” So she (his sister) watched him from a far place secretly, while they perceived not. And We had already forbidden (other) foster suckling mothers for him, until she (his sister came up and) said: “Shall I direct you to a household who will rear him for you, and sincerely they will look after him in a good manner?” So did We restore him to his mother, that she might be delighted, and that she might not grieve, and that she might know that the Promise of Allah is true. But most of them know not. [Al-Qasas. Aayaat 1-13]

Some Examples of How Allaah Delivered His Righteous Servants From Distress

Prophet Ibraaheem [peace be upon him]: “They said: “Burn him and help your aliha (gods), if you will be doing.” We (Allah) said: “O fire! Be you coolness and safety for Ibrahim (Abraham)!” And they wanted to harm him, but We made them the worst losers. And We rescued him and Lout (Lot) to the land which We have blessed for the ‘Alamin (mankind and jinns). [Surah Al-Anbiya. Aayaat 68-71]

Prophet Yunus [peace be upon him]: https://twitter.com/SalafiCentre/status/1050475572915314688

Allaah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] and the Sahaabah [may Allaah be pleased with him]. Allaah [The Exalted] said:

إِذۡ جَآءُوكُم مِّن فَوۡقِكُمۡ وَمِنۡ أَسۡفَلَ مِنكُمۡ وَإِذۡ زَاغَتِ ٱلۡأَبۡصَـٰرُ وَبَلَغَتِ ٱلۡقُلُوبُ ٱلۡحَنَاجِرَ وَتَظُنُّونَ بِٱللَّهِ ٱلظُّنُونَا۟
هُنَالِكَ ٱبۡتُلِىَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ وَزُلۡزِلُواْ زِلۡزَالاً۬ شَدِيدً۬ا

When they came upon you from above you and from below you, and when the eyes grew wild and the hearts reached to the throats, and you were harbouring doubts about Allah. There, the believers were tried and shaken with a mighty shaking. [Surah Al-Ahzaab. Aayaat 10-11]

Imaam Ash-Shanqeetee [may Allaah have mercy upon him]: Look at the severity of this military siege and its severe effects on the Muslims, in addition to the fact that they were politically and economically cut off by all the people of the earth at that time! So, when you are aware of this, you should know that the remedy for this great affair that put an end to this great difficulty is what Allaah stated in Soorah Al-Ahzaab, as follows: “And when the believers saw Al-Ahzaab (The Confederates), they said: “This is what Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad) had promised us, and Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad) had spoken the truth, and it only added to their faith and to their submissiveness (to Allah). [Surah Al-Ahzaab. Verse 22] This perfect belief in Allaah, Great Submission to Him, dependence and reliance on Him was the reason that put an end to that great difficulty. And indeed Allaah clarified the fruits of this remedy, saying: “And Allah drove back those who disbelieved in their rage; they gained no advantage (booty, etc.). Allah sufficed for the believers in the fighting (by sending against the disbelievers a severe wind and troops of angels). And Allah is Ever All-Strong, All-Mighty. And those of the people of the Scripture who backed them [the disbelievers] Allah brought them down from their forts and cast terror into their hearts, (so that) a group (of them) you killed, and a group (of them) you made captives. And He caused you to inherit their lands, and their houses, and their riches, and a land which you had not trodden (before). And Allah is Able to do all things. [Surah Al-Ahzaab. Aayaat 25-27]

This is what Allaah aided them with against their enemies. They had no idea nor were they aware that they were aided with the angels and the wind. “O you who believe! Remember Allah’s Favour to you, when there came against you hosts, and We sent against them a wind and forces that you saw not [i.e. troops of angels during the battle of Al-Ahzab (the Confederates)]. And Allah is Ever All-Seer of what you do. (9)

We ask Allaah:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ العافِيَـةَ فـي الدُّنيا والآخِرَةِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ العَفْوَ والعافِيَـةَ فـي دِيني ودُنْـيايَ وأَهْلِي ومالِي، اللَّهُمَّ اسْتُـرْ عَوْراتِي، وآمِنْ رَوْعاتِي،
اللَّهُمَّ احْفَظْنِـي مِنْ بَـيْنِ يَدَيَّ، ومِنْ خَلْفِي، وعَنْ يَمِيـنِـي، وعَنْ شِمالِي، ومِنْ فَوْقِي، وأَعُوذُ بِعَظَمَـتِكَ أَنْ أُغْتالَ مِنْ تَحْتِـي

O Allaah! I ask You for well-being in this Dunyaa and the Aaakhirah. O Allāh, I ask You for pardon and well-being in my religion, my worldly affairs, my family and my wealth. O Allaah! Conceal my [faults, shortcomings etc] and safeguard me against everything that will bring me fear and sorrow. O Allaah! Protect me from in front, from behind me, from my right and my left, and from above. And I seek refuge with Your Magnificence from being swallowed up from beneath me.

This great supplication begins with one asking Allaah for [العافِيَـةَ -wellbeing] in the Dunya and Aakhira. Nothing can be equal to wellbeing, for whoever is granted well-being then indeed he has received his complete share of good. Seeking [العَفْوَ -pardon] necessitates that one is forgiven his sins and they are wiped away. As for [العافِيَـةَ – Well-being], it is safety Allaah bestows on a servant of His- protects him against every punishment and trial, by averting evil from him, protecting him against calamities and ailments [sicknesses], evil affairs and sins. So, the Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] asked for wellbeing in the Dunyaa and Aakhirah, as well as wellbeing in his religion, worldly affairs, his family and wealth.

Well-being in one’s religion is protection against everything that will bring dishonour [or disgrace] to one’s religion or deprive him of it.

Well-being in the Dunyaa is to seek protection against everything that will harm the person in his worldly affairs, such as calamities or trials, severe poverty and ailments.

Well-being in the Aakhirah is to seek protection against the extreme hardships in the Aakhirah and its various punishments. Well-being in one’s family is that they are protected from trials, calamities and tests; wellbeing in one’s wealth is that it is protected from drowning, burning, theft etc…

[اللَّهُمَّ اسْتُـرْ عَوْراتِي – O Allaah! Conceal my faults, shortcomings etc [ وآمِنْ رَوْعاتِي – safeguard me against every affair that will frighten me and bring sorrow upon me].

[اللَّهُمَّ احْفَظْنِـي مِنْ بَـيْنِ يَدَيَّ، ومِنْ خَلْفِي، وعَنْ يَمِيـنِـي، وعَنْ شِمالِي، ومِنْ فَوْقِي، وأَعُوذُ بِعَظَمَـتِكَ أَنْ أُغْتالَ مِنْ تَحْتِـي – O Allaah! Protect me from in front, from behind me, from my right and my left, and from above. And I seek refuge with Your Magnificence from being swallowed up from beneath me] – Meaning: Asking Allaah to protect you against destructive things and evils which a person is exposed to from the six directions, for indeed evil can approach from the front, behind, the right, the left, above or below, and he does not know which direction calamity will suddenly come upon him. [An Excerpt from Fiqh Al-Ad’iyah Wal Afkaar 3/32-33]

اللَّهُمَّ بِعِلْمِكَ الْغَيْبَ وَقُدْرَتِكَ عَلَى الْخَلْقِ أَحْيِنِي مَا عَلِمْتَ الْحَيَاةَ خَيْراً لِي وَتَوَفَّنِي إِذَا عَلِمْتَ الْوَفَاةَ خَيْراً لِي، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ خَشْيَتَكَ فِي الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ كَلِمَةَ الْحَقِّ فِي الرِّضَا وَالْغَضَبِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ الْقَصْدَ فِي الْغِنَى وَالْفَقْرِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ نَعِيماً لَا يَنْفَذُ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ قُرَّةَ عَيْنٍ لَا تَنْقَطِعُ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ الرِّضِا بَعْدَ الْقَضَاءِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ بَرْدَ الْعَيْشِ بَعْدَ الْمَوْتِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ لَذَّةَ النَّظَرِ إِلَى وَجْهِكَ وَالشَّوْقَ إِلَى لِقَائِكَ فِي غَيْرِ ضَرَّاءَ مُضِرَّةٍ وَلَا فِتْنَةٍ مُضِلَّةٍ، اللَّهُمَّ زَيِّنَّا بِزِينَةِ الْإِيمَانِ
وَاجْعَلْنَا هُدَاةً مُهْتَدِينَ

O Allah! By Your Knowledge of the unseen and by Your Power over creation, let me live if life is good for me, and let me die if death is good for me; O Allah! I ask You to grant me (the blessing of having) fear of You in private and public; And I ask you (to make me utter) a statement of truth in times of contentment and anger; And I ask You for moderation when in a state of wealth and poverty; And I ask you for blessings that never ceases; And I ask You for the coolness of my eye that never ends; And I ask You (to make me pleased) after (Your) decree; Aand I ask You for a life of (ease, comfort, tranquility etc) after death; I ask You for the delight of looking at Your Face (i.e. in the Hereafter) and yearning to meet You without any harm and misleading trials (coming upon me); O Allah! Adorn us with the adornment of Eemaan, and make us (from those who are) guided and guiding (others). [Sunan An-Nasaa’ee’ Number 1305 & declared Saheeh by Imaam Albaani (rahimahullaah) in As-Saheehah Number 1301]

اللَّهُمَّ أَصْلِحْ لِي دِينِي الَّذِي هُوَ عِصْمَةُ أَمْرِي
وَأَصْلِحْ لِي دُنْيَايَ الَّتِي فِيهَا مَعَاشِي
وَأَصْلِحْ لِي آخِرَتِي الَّتِي فِيهَا مَعَادِي
وَاجْعَلِ الْحَيَاةَ زِيَادَةً لِي فِي كُلِّ خَيْرٍ
وَاجْعَلِ الْمَوْتَ رَاحَةً لِي مِنْ كُلِّ شَرٍّ

O Allah! Rectify my religion for me, which is the safeguard of my affairs; rectify my worldly [affairs], wherein is my livelihood; and rectify my Afterlife to which is my return; and make life for me [as a means of] increase in every good and make death for me as a rest from every evil. [Saheeh Muslim Number: 2720]

Footnote a: https://abukhadeejah.com/al-qadr-no-one-can-escape-the-decree-or-exceed-it/
http://www.aqidah.com/creed/categories/xy-belief-in-the-divine-decree.cfm
https://www.abukhadeejah.com/al-qadr-no-one-can-escape-the-decree-or-exceed-it/
https://www.salafisounds.com/understanding-qadr-pre-decree-its-levels-the-aqidah-of-imam-muhammad-ibn-abdil-wahhab-by-abu-khadeejah/

[Refs 1 and 2: an Excerpt from Tafseer As-Sadi. slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 3: Aathaar Ash-Shaikh Al-Allaamah Abdur Rahmaan Bin Yahyah Al-Mu’allimee. Vol 5 pages 7-11]

[Ref 4: An Excerpt from Ad-Dalaa’il Al-Qur’aaniyyah Fee Annal Uloom Wal-A’maal An-Naafi’ah Al-Asriyyah Daakhilatun Fid Deen Al-Islaamiy. pages 37-40]

[Ref 5: al-Dalaa’il Al-Qur’aaniyyah Fee Annal Uloom Wal A’maal An-Naafi’ah Al-Asriyyah Daakhilatun Fid-Deen Al-Islaamiy. page 25]

[Ref 6: An Excerpt from Tasheelul Il’haami Bi-Fiqhil Ahaadeeth Min Bulooghil Maraam’ page 335’ Vol 6]

[Ref 7: Sharh Saheeh Muslim 4/87]

[Ref 8: An Excerpt from ‘Zaadul Maseer Fee Ilmit Tafseer’ By Imaam Ibnul Jawzi (rahimahullaah). Slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 9: An Excerpt from ‘Adwaa Al-Bayaan Vol 3. pages 301-302]