The Manrilla Blog | Life. Art. Religion. Culture.

I know that I talk a lot here of interfaith coalitions and Muslim, non-Muslim relationships. I also talk a lot of finding the middle ground so that we can all fit in and coexist with one another without strife. So, while I have said and do maintain all of that I’d now like to voice my opinion on this concept of Mother Nature.

While listening to several of the reporters (or really, the national voice. Where’s Bush’s rhetoric now? Perhaps God is displeased with him) talking about the disaster that has become Hurricane Katrina (even the naming of it as if it was someone other than God who could have done this but I’m getting ahead of myself), I couldn’t help but notice the language in which people were describing this: Mother Nature. “Mother Nature has struck a terrible blow.” “Mother Nature has carved a wide swath of damage.” For me, a religious person, I feel it is important for me to voice my opinion of consciousness that this was not the work of Mother Nature, Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy. It brought to mind some very pertinent topics that I’ve been currently reading in my Qur’anic studies.

The first is the denial of God as a whole. That this is simply a natural phenomenon, that we are all the result of some random spark of lightning and that this kind of thing happens when some “figment” of our imagination strikes. While memorizing suwratu Yunis (the 10th chapter of the Qur’an) there is a verse that states, “A kaana lin-Naasi ‘ajaban an awhayna ilaa rajulin minhum an andhirin-Naasa wa bashiril-ladhina aamanu annalahum qadama sidqin ‘inda rabbihim. Qaalal Kafiruna inna hadha la-sahirun mubiyn.” [Is it a wonder for mankind that We have sent Our Inspiration (the Qur’an) to a man from among themselves to warn mankind and give good news to those who believe (in God) that they shall have with their Lord the rewards of their good deeds?” But the disbelievers say: “This is manifest sorcery.”] The last part, about the Message of God being something other than what it truly is is what got my attention. For me, it drew a parallel between that and these people saying that this hurricane is Mother Nature. Also, the initial question, posed by God, [Is it a wonder for mankind that We have sent Our Inspiration…] - why is it such an amazing concept to grasp that this came from none other than the Creator? And I specifically address this to the people who do believe in God. For atheists and others who do not ascribe this to this fact, well, that’s another conversation. For a nation which prides itself and the words, “In God we trust”, how can it be then that there is the denial of God as the Supreme, The One, The Giver of Life and The Taker of Life? My own wonder does not cease here, though.

It was no surprise to me that a place such as New Orleans could be targeted. With some of the excessive wickedness that goes on there with Mardi Gras and all. I’m not trying to sound like some Fire and Brimstone Sunday preacher but when I see the writing on the wall, I feel I must say so. I firmly believe that God is Just. Just beyond our mortal and emotional way of understanding and that God would never punish a people unless they really some how, some way deserved it. God further says, “Innal-ladhiyna laa yarjuwna liqaa’anaa wa raduw bil Hayatid-Dunya watma’annuw bihaa walladhiyna hum ‘an ayaatinaa ghafiluwn.” [Verily, those who hope not for their meeting with Us, but are pleased and satisfied with the life of the present world, and those who are heedless of Our Signs.] For me, this is a wake-up call. This is not meant to be a criticism of the people of New Orleans or the South only. No, it is for all of us. If we are not acting correctly as a whole, God will not necessarily spare the rod on us just because we’re “believers”. But when I read these verses and listened to the commentary that was going on, a light went off in my head. I felt compelled to write about it here. But amidst this, we should not take this as any reason not to extend our hands and give these people our support. They have earned it by being our neighbors. My criticisms extend solely to what I have written.

Last, I guess, is what will happen in the aftermath. Eventually, they will clean up there and God willing, rebuild. But what will they say when it’s all over and done with? Will they still say it was Mother Nature? That reminds me of when I read, “Wa idha massal insaanad-durru da’aanaa lijanbihi aw qaa’idan aw qaa’iman. Falamma kashafnaa ‘anhu durrahu marra ka’an lam yad’unaa ilaa durrin massah.” [And when harm touches man, he invokes Us, lying on his side, or sitting down or standing. But when We have removed his harm from him, he passes on his way as if he had never invoked Us for a harm that touched him!]. Wow. To me, that is very much like that latter, that we call out to God when we’re hit with a calamity but when it’s over, well, it’s just Mother Nature. Well, I talked to my mom and she said that perhaps God is not happy with us. Hmm…, now that’s a Mother’s Nature I can buy.