REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA- When we return to our present life, the events or disasters that occur often frighten us and cause excessive anxiety. In fact, it gives birth to a disease that makes us forget that it all happened because of the permission and will of Allah.
Disaster, whatever its form, is a test for the believers who come from God. The extent to which a servant is able to patiently live after a disaster. Allah says in Chapter al-Baqarah [2]: 155:
وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ بِشَيْءٍ مِنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَنْفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ
“Indeed we (Allah) will truly test you with something in the form of fear and hunger and deprivation of possessions, loss of soul (the one you love), and fruits and glad tidings for those who are patient.“
However, this disaster is certainly different for those who disbelieve and often commit acts of devotion to Allah. The doom for them is a rebuke and a punishment as a form of the iniquity they have committed. It is because of their unrighteousness that Allah punishes them. This is confirmed by the words of Allah SWT in Chapter al-Isra [17]: 16.
وَإِذَا أَرَدْنَا أَنْ نُهْلِكَ قَرْيَةً أَمَرْنَا مُتْرَفِيهَا فَفَسَقُوا فِيهَا فَحَقَّ عَلَيْهَا الْقَوْلُ فَدَمَّرْنَاهَا تَدْمِيرًا
“And if we want to destroy a country, we command those who live luxuriously in the land (to obey Allah), but if it is rampant and does iniquity (in the land), then our words (punishment) apply, and then we will utterly destroy the land.“
Rapid response in the face of a wide variety of life problems is important, especially if it is related to a disaster or disaster that has engulfed many victims.
It is at this time that our conscience as human beings is called to share and share in the suffering of our brothers who are in trouble. Not just watch their cries, but we must be able to read the implied message behind the disaster.
Reading disaster for the people is the readiness to share with each other alleviating the suffering that exists. Reading disaster by religious leaders is to comfort them from grief.
Whereas, disaster reading for a leader is the extent to which he is able to establish and provide a viable place for the victims, preventing multiple casualties by evacuating as early as possible.
