وَأَغۡرَقۡنَا ٱلَّذِينَ ڪَذَّبُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَآۚ إِنَّہُمۡ ڪَانُواْ قَوۡمًا عَمِينَ
…and We drowned those who denied Our Ayats (Signs). Lo! they were blind folk.
(Quran- Surah Araaf: 63)
This was the punishment of the people of Nooh (as)…so won’t we take heed after the disastrous rains that lashed Karachi ? Wont we repent and make amends so we don’t meet the same fate? The Pictures below shows the Korangi Creek before and after the rains. The rain that devastated DHA Phase IV and V and Sea View did not do much damage to Phase VIII. The rain water accumulated in the empty plots. But the rain that started last night..has literally flooded the whole area! One can hardly make out where the creek ends and where the main land starts.The water on the empty plots is almost three feet deep and now coming on the streets.
It is the rule of Allah Tala, that when a nation or people keep on rejecting His Ayats ( Signs in the universe and Ayats of the Quran), Allah Subhana Tala sends down punishment to wipe them out.
Everybody knows the poshest localities are the most corrupt. All kinds of indecent activities, drinking, gambling occurs in such areas…and these have been the most badly affected.. I feel these recent rains are a warning…a sign from Allah keh “Sudhar Jao”…
O Allah forgive all our sins, the big, the small, the open and the hidden. O Allah guide us all and protect us all and save us from the torments ( Azaabs) and do not include us amongst the wrong doers.
Ameen
Check out the fresh pics taken today morning…and take heed. What if it keeps raining? what if the creek overflows.. the whole area would be flooded.. what if the sea level rises dangerously…
Update: Some more ayats from the Qur’an.
Torments Come Suddenly
وَكَم مِّن قَرۡيَةٍ أَهۡلَكۡنَـٰهَا فَجَآءَهَا بَأۡسُنَا بَيَـٰتًا أَوۡ هُمۡ قَآٮِٕلُونَ
And a great number of towns (their population) We destroyed (for their crimes). Our torment came upon them (suddenly) by night or while they were taking their midday nap. (Araaf-3)
Allah sw sends calamities so we humble ourselves and repent
وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا فِى قَرۡيَةٍ۬ مِّن نَّبِىٍّ إِلَّآ أَخَذۡنَآ أَهۡلَهَا بِٱلۡبَأۡسَآءِ وَٱلضَّرَّآءِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَضَّرَّعُونَ
(Araaf -93) And We sent no Prophet unto any town (and they denied him), but We seized its people with suffering from extreme poverty (or loss in wealth) and loss of health (and calamities), so that they might humiliate themselves (and repent to Allâh).
Punishments come due to our own misdeeds
وَلَوۡ أَنَّ أَهۡلَ ٱلۡقُرَىٰٓ ءَامَنُواْ وَٱتَّقَوۡاْ لَفَتَحۡنَا عَلَيۡہِم بَرَكَـٰتٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَـٰكِن كَذَّبُواْ فَأَخَذۡنَـٰهُم بِمَا ڪَانُواْ يَكۡسِبُونَ
(Araaf- 95) And if the people of the towns had believed and had the Taqwâ (piety), certainly, We should have opened for them blessings from the heaven and the earth, but they belied (the Messengers). So We took them (with punishment) for what they used to earn (polytheism and crimes).
gLiMpSes 
you can stand on a train track or go walking into a stormy sea despite warnings to the contrary and blame Allah for it..i think not. the only test i seen here is one of common sense and not of faith. there are a whole lot of other ways Allah tests us every day, every minute when we arent even looking… so yeah be scared. your chage sheet grows without you knowing… but dont ask the rains to stop just because you have been a good boy/girl…
Global warming! Man’s abuse, nature’s answer?
Furthermore, the pious folks do sabr as it is not the punishment to those but a test.
Isn’t it? : )
@ Gridlock
AoA,
Well there are two points.. not one and both are correct…
I think you are looking at this scenario from a purely worldly perspective where as i am looking at it from the perspective of the hereafter.
We are looking at the same thing, but from different angles.. Your angel is the dunya and mine is Akhirat…but these angles don’t contradict…rather they run parallel.
According to you enroachments and landgrabbing is illegal.. stupid thing to do and we will pay for it with floods…
Im saying this is happening due to our own sins.. and land grabbing and illegal occupation, greed, money making at the expense of others and without any concern for others and natural environment are also SINS…so the current situation should make the land grabbers realize their mistake.. it is a warning for them, they will be the first to suffer in case of floods… they should make amends, undo the damage they have caused due to their greed and ask Allah’s forgiveness.
@ Adnan
AoA, I didn’t mean to say that the verses you quoted were talking something else.
Those verses were telling us that we will be tested .. but not HOW…
So i wanted specific verses which would tell us how we would be tested.. and there are many in the Quran and i mentioned some of them in this post.
I talked about the test of death of near ones in my previous post :
On the Waiting List of Death
Well said and eloquently written, Gridlock.
I believe, this of ours stupidity is also the wrath of Allah. We can not see. We can not understand. Because we are far deviated from the true path. Lets say, we were not honest to develop our city and a heavy rain showed us what we built. It could have been heavier. Alhamd o lillah, it was not.
It is a stike of warning to people .. Welll we should bow our heads and stop creating evil illutions !
You are missing the point here; yes the Allah SWT is the sole owner of the Day of Judgment that alone should tell us who is ultimately responsible for everything and everyone, at the end of the day. That is not being debated here, what is being discussed here is the fact that due to our own reckless actions we may suffer some dire consequences which are supposed to happen in a fixed prescribed pattern (such as violation of physical laws or laws of nature) irrespective of your devotion to the creator and then attributing the creator for the consequence regardless of one’s own action.
People in these situations easily become disillusioned and resentful and alienated towards the creator. Yes they blame everyone for their actions including the creator. Happens everyday.
These laws were created by Allah SWT himself and he himself have stated that you will not find me deviating from my principles. This is why mathematics works, sit down alone one day and contemplate why does Math works? and what would happen if it didn’t. Who made the rules in math and let man discover them and why. You will find many answers including the simple answer so that there is an organization and system in the universe. Everything is broken down into mathematical principles in the universe. Allah SWT is the greatest designer.
These people choose to live in the flood plain zone irrespective of the laws they have violated and hoping Allah SWT will save them in case of a storm, when they are violating his physical laws. Walk in front of a train and you get hurt and die. Yes Allah SWT allowed building the train. Is this the wrath of Allah SWT or your stupidity? Think about it? This is all I am tryign to state.
I appreciate your research and direction but we are not discussing mu understanding of the religion here. By the Grace of Almighty SWT I get my inspiration by talking to new converts, who had no one for generation practicing this religion and then they converted. Speak to such a person as to what drove them to convert. Your spiritual level will be elevated to new dimensions. I have truly found new converts who are million of light year ahead in deen and its understanding. Some of them are at an extreme level of spiritual affinity such as only reading Quran in the light of olive oil lamp as they read that the Prophet SWS did that.
In my discussion with you I wouldn’t use the word Blame as it is too strong of a word. If you have lived in the west then keep an open mind for healthy dialogue nothing is personal as I had invited myself to leave a comment on your personal blog but it is not personally directed against you. You are doing a great service and don’t let my comment irk you. However use your power to illuminate the true message that people if you don’t use your intelligence you will violate the laws and get hurt. By the way save those pictures as after couple of years if more development occurs then the empty lots where water was standing will not be empty any more. How much is that the wrath of Allah and how much is that our own stupidity you decide.
Take care,
W.S – It’s good to see healthy and constructive debate on issues. It helps to develop one’s understanding. I myself have learned quite a few new things from these comments.
Personally, the God I know, is most merciful and compassionate. He is above the meaning we ascribe to Him. We tends to give meaning to events and happenings according to our predominent state of mind.
Observation tells us that God has created Universe with Laws. He later on sent prophets to guide people to live according to these laws so that they can achieve salvation. You can say that he has sort of put the machine on an autopilot (if I may use this analogy). If a Muslim follow these laws he will benefit and for theat matter if a budhist follow these laws he will gain equal benefit.
There are laws of casue and effect, moral behaviour, economic discuorses, etc. Un-checked industrialization can lead to toxic waste discharge..leading to green house effect and weather changes which we are experiencing – be it a rain in Karachi or London. Well yes, religion and teachings of Prophets warns us against greed and lust for exorbitant material gains. Violation of these laws will have it’s consequences too.
God Bless you all…
Haider Naqvi
Alhamdulilah i found some specific Ayats in Surah Araaf, telling us Allah’s principle that calamities,suffering and troubles come so that we become Ajizz.. we humble ourselves in front of Allah and repent.
*nods*- this verse is not talking different than what Allah said in chapter Ankaboot. Allah tested Ayub(AS) according to same principles-Rest, Allah knows the best.
Whether its an earthquake in the northern belt of Pakistan or a flood in the southern province Balochistan, each carries a message with it.
I wonder if Japan, being one of the most developed of all nations can avoid damages caused by earthquakes, no it can’t.
I wonder if England and recently the US, can avoid Hurricanes and floods despite their high preparedness. None can.
However, theres a link between what you people have been arguing with “Gridlock” about. And that is, if the people of Pakistan would have been truly pious and faithful, they wouldn’t have made encroachments without common sense. However, those people are mentally commercialised, and all they see is the big money coming in with their businesses running in those areas… What they don’t understand is, its their own country (which their ancestors earned after great sacrifices) that they’re using today for illegal resorts and marriage halls instead of research labs and other such useful institutions.
Regards,
H.Q.
@ Adnan
Alhamdulilah i found some specific Ayats in Surah Araaf, telling us Allah’s principle that calamities,suffering and troubles come so that we become Ajizz.. we humble ourselves in front of Allah and repent.
(Araaf -93) “And We sent no Prophet unto any town (and they denied him), but We seized its people with suffering from extreme poverty (or loss in wealth) and loss of health (and calamities), so that they might humiliate themselves (and repent to Allâh).”
@Gridlock
Please refer to the following Ayat to understand that disasters and calamities are from Allah due to our own sins. This does not mean Allah Subhana Wataala is to be blamed. Nauzobillah.
(Araaf- 95) “And if the people of the towns had believed and had the Taqwâ (piety), certainly, We should have opened for them blessings from the heaven and the earth, but they belied (the Messengers). So We took them (with punishment) for what they used to earn (polytheism and crimes).”
@ Gridlock.
Asalamu Alaykum,
I do agree with you about the mismanagement and encroachment of land which has caused great damage…
I have seen Creek Club encroach upon the Creek, reclaim the land and create a jogging track for their members and wedding lawns to earn big bucks..
Within a span of two years i have seen the beautiful creek turn into “stagnant water” due to the recent high rise developments in the area..
So if the creek does flood… they will be the first to suffer in such a calamity. wont you call it “punishment” ?
How can you blame me for “Blaming Allah” Naauzobillah…!
Are you going to “Blame” Allah for the drowning of people of Nooh (as), the destruction of People of Ad and Thamud.. the punishment given to the “People of Sabbath”.. the drowning of Firaun and his army?? I think not..
These people were destroyed due to their own disobedience and sins and rejecting of ayats and Prophets.
Its true the encroachments have caused damage… but Who is sending such torrential rains never witnessed before in Karachi? It is Indeed Allah SubhanaWatala. But this does not mean He is ( Nauzobillah) to Blame. It is cause of our own misdeeds this is happening. That is why we need to repent.
Even the most civilized nations can never be prepared enough to “fight’ against forces of Nature…
Do check out flooding pics in England. Iv lived there and i know it rains there all the time. They have the best drainage systems and management.. check out the damage done by “Nature” which is OUT of their control despite their knowledge and information and development.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/6238654.stm
Has it occurred to you that it is also a living proof of extremely unorganized and over zealous urban sprawl and development which is driven entirely by the greed and best rate of return on “reclaimed land” and no regard to simple hydraulics?
What would you expected when you displace space for water by another object. The water will rise or spread out. Well you see both happening at the same time in these pictures. When these houses were built on land that is actually a spill over space for rising sea water they act as encroachments against the forces of natures.
Allah SWT has given man the ability and intelligence to do so in case of dams and dykes and we are allowed the control of these forces by the Creator SWT. But to build a house in the middle of a flood plain zone and expect good out of it during extreme storms is stupid This is regardless of you spiritual affinity and dedication to Allah SWT, it is just plain stupid.
Ask the authorities if they have prepared 50 year or 100 years flood plain maps of these areas which are so close to tidal and fresh water wetlands. They will probably look at you as if you are speaking a foreign language.
Allah SWT has given man the intelligence; it is our duty to acquire knowledge to utilize this intelligence. The true knowledge is the Devine revelation freely distributed and disseminated in the Quran and shown in way of the Prophet SWS. That is why Allah SWT has personally taken the responsibility to guard the true knowledge against corruption in the case of Quran, as man is also given freedom to try to do so. The worldly knowledge is simply information of the age and is frequently update as better resources are made available. Hence the revised edition of scientific books.
Therefore most great Muslim scientists were also great scholars of the deen.
Use the power of you information to spread true knowledge. Allah SWT has told us “Fire will burn” but I have the power to make it a blessing as well for whom I choose. Similarly water will drown and destroy especially if you want to live in it.
Don’t get me wrong I am not attacking Islam as I am a Muslim living in a foreign country and cringe at the sight of ignorant Muslims who do not use their knowledge and hold their Creator responsible for their free willed actions
Take Care
Aren’t we like the old nations? who prostrated and repented when clouds of azaab hovered above and went back to their businesses later on.
Whether its a test or tribulation, we have to repent and ask for His forgiveness.
btw, do check the latest post on my blog about star of david on Pakistani flag.
but the point is.. whether its a test or whether its a punishment…it is so that we return to Allah, seek his forgiveness and start obeying him.
Ditto- No second thought on that.
Salam. Yes…this can be taken as a sign of God Almighty….but each person has to see what he is sending forth for hereafter….
The Quranic references are a delight, as usual.
take care
Haider Naqvi
Asalamu Alaykum,
Yes I do agree with you. Whenever some calamity strikes .. it is either a test or a punishment.
So how do we know if its a test or a punishment….?
we can look at it both ways…but the point is.. whether its a test or whether its a punishment…it is so that we return to Allah, seek his forgiveness and start obeying him.
These are not those verses but they do tell something which i was trying to say:
Do the people think that they will be left to say, “We believe” and they will not be tried?
But We have certainly tried those before them, and Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident the liars. (Quran 29:2-3)
Scary. Where were you standing that you took such clear shots?
By the way,you should mention your Blog URL on pics so that someone else can’t take credit. Just a thought:)
By the way, almost entire Karachi is drowned but yes DHA is really in danger.
It’s true Allah shows signs of anger but I think this is not easy to figure out whether some action of Allah is just for showing anger or test? True Noah(as)’s family was drowned but this is also true that Allah also made Ayub(AS) suffered from a disease for several years. This is not because Allah was angry at Him, this is just Allah was testing His lovers. Therefore those who live in DHA area are Muttaqi wouldn’t be a victim of Allah’s anger. There is a verse which I recently recited. i don’t remember the exact translation but this is in Sipara 20 i think. The idea of that verse was that Allah says that When He makes someone suffers,ppl think that it was Azaab by Allah and when they make them happy, people think, it was obvious. Allah really clarifies that not every action of Him should be taken as Azaab or Rahmat, He does shows signs but we can’t interpretate it correctly.
Yes Rasool(saw) used to say Dua after seeing clouds on sky and used to seek Allah’s help but seeking Allah’s help and concluding that Action of Allah is nothing but an Azaab is not good.