Signs, Signals, and Symbols

The Tsunami/earthquake that resonated across half of the Asian sub-continent has raised many questions from seismologists and geologists as to the nature, impact and reason why destruction of such seismic proportions occurred. There is no doubt that many may have become drained by the constant media coverage of this event, but donations, funds, aid, debt relief of the countries affected will need to be continued as reconstruction is projected to take many years. I would just like to make a brief observation analysing why this event occurred from a theological perspective and the signs, signals and symbolic significance we can draw from it from the past and for the foreseeable future.

SIGNS & SIGNALS

If one analyses the Quranic commentary on the signs and signals that have come to communities of the past, one can spend an eternity deciphering the wisdoms and warnings in the divine words. In particular Sura al Dhariyat (The Scattering Winds) & Para al Zilzaal (The Earthquake) mentions in detail how Allah swt sends down his signs and symbols to communities who have gone away from the divine commands and prohibitions. Divine words such as "By the wind that Scatters Far & Wide" (51.1) "And in the earth there are signs for those that contemplate" (51.20). One can immediately see the Divine actions taking effect for those that ponder and reflect on the signs around them. We also learn in the commentary of the same Para how Allah swt had send down punishment through stones and baked clay to the community at the time of the Prophet Lut (AS) for their open indecency and sodomy. We also learn how the house of Prophet Lut (AS) was saved "But We found there nothing, except one house (of Muslims)." This verse is immediately followed by "And we left therein a sign for those who fear a painful punishment" (51.37). The destruction of the people of the Prophet Lut (AS) was kept as a sign reminding people of the Divine punishment that had come to this place. The stones that fell along with the murky water that surrounded the vicinity were themselves signs for onlookers to refrain from actions against Divine commandments Sura al Najm (The Star-53.53) & (54.54) . Along with this, many other great worldly powers were humbled down like Pharaoh when thrown into the sea, and the people of Aad who were overtaken by a severe windstorm "Which made everything it came upon like a rotten thing." (51.42) This is then followed by the people of Prophet Saleh (AS) called the Thamud who were extremely rebellious and against whom Prophet Saleh (AS) had forewarned that they would be destroyed in three days. We also learn from the same Para how the people of Prophet Nuh (AS) were destroyed for their sinful behaviour for troubling Prophet Nuh (AS) for 950 years (51.46) and similarly the people of Aad who were destroyed at the time of Prophet Hud (AS) by a severe sand storm. SYMBOLS In terms of symbols and signals for the future we find in Para Al-Zilzaal (The Earthquake), how the present earthquake and Tsunami is a dress rehearsal of what awaits us in the future. Divine words such as "When the earth is violently shaken by its full shaking" (99.1) "And (when) the earth throws out its burden" (99.2) should make the people of faith and the onlookers of the present tragedy symbolise and picture the universal event that will take place on the day of resurrection. "The day it (the earth) will narrate all its news." (99.4). This symbolises a day when the earth itself will testify to all the good and evil that had been committed on it. If one analyses the present tragedy, maybe we are getting signals and signs from the Divine that by moving away from His commandments the repercussions are being felt like the communities of the past. Symbols like the waves captured by satellite on the west coast of Kalutara in Sri Lanka where the Arabic Word Allah can be seen according to Mohamed Faizeen from the Centre of Islamic Studies Columbo are signs that the Divine is giving those who cause corruption and abuse the beautiful nature and pattern of the earth a signal to change their behaviour for the better (http://globalsecurity.org/eye/andaman-sri-lanka.htm) 10.20 am Dec 26 2004. We have similar signs in Indonesia where vast terrain has been destroyed only to find a mosque where the praise of the Divine is mentioned standing unscathed by destruction that has travelled from one subcontinent to another. This links succinctly with the story of Noah's Ark and how the community of the prophet were saved at that time "And certainly we left it as a symbol (for the future). Is there anyone who would pay attention."(54.15)

There is no doubt that the Lord is merciful through his universal attributes, and we cannot really capture the grief and suffering felt to those who have lost their families and loved ones and our prayers and thoughts are with them. I recall a conversation i had with a friend from Malaysia near the Island of Penang who informed me that even the fish were forewarned about the tsunami as fisherman had been getting extra takings for many days. I only hope that we as civilised rational human beings on this planet with the capacity to differentiate right from wrong begin to reflect and also are forewarned to awaken and be prepared to improve our state as the Divine ordainment is clear "Then whosoever has done a good deed of an atom's weight shall see it. And Whosoever has done an evil deed of an atom's weight shall see it." (99.7-99.8). The current event does seem to be a signal to humanity to change and amend its ways through civil dialogue, adhering closer to Divine commandments and prohibitions to unleash the Divine universal love and mercy to humanity rather then the wrath that previous communities suffered.