Aftermath : Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

On March 11, a 9.0 earthquake struck off the northeast coast of Japan near the city of Sendai. The earthquake generated a massive tsunami with waves as high as 30 feet, immediately resulting in floods, fires and the closure of airports and transit systems. Thousands of people are either dead or missing, and homes, fields and towns have been destroyed by flooding.

I am dedicating this blog post to the people of Japan and to the immense display of courage by them while facing a disaster of incomprehensible proportions. Today the world is Japanese, we all feel the pain of the people in Japan and we hope with all our heart that their suffering comes to an end so that they have the time to grieve and to start rebuilding their lives and their nation. Did you hear and see the news of the volunteers, nay heroes who have decided to stay in the nuclear facility knowing full well that this is a suicidal mission? But they want to do the right thing and use their knowledge and ability to help curtail further explosions and/or a meltdown of the reactors. This is no common courage; this is selfless dedication of a magnitude unheard of… Allah bless Japan.

My heart and thoughts are with all those people in Japan today, and to all the people who have Family and Friends in Japan as well, it is devastating watching the News on TV and seeing all of the destruction, and as the day goes on we are seeing just how bad this Earthquake and Tsunami was, and how destructive it was not only to the buildings, but the lives that have been lost as well.

To chronicle this event, we need to look at Friday, 11 March, and mark it down as one of the worst earthquakes to hit Japan (and one of the five largest to have occurred since modern record-keeping of past 100 years). The Tohoku earthquake (as it is also called now) caused extensive destruction, including heavy damage to roads and railways as well as widespread fires in many places. Around 4.4 million households in northeastern Japan were/are left without electricity and 1.5 million or more without water. At least three nuclear reactors suffered explosions due to hydrogen buildup within their outer containment buildings.

The earthquake triggered tsunami warnings and evacuations along Japan’s Pacific coast. And at least 20 other countries, including the entire Pacific coast of South America, saw some form of impact from the Tsunami which originated in Japan. Can we even imagine the force of this tsunami at the point of its source? The earthquake created extremely destructive tsunami waves of up to 10 meters which struck Japan minutes after the quake, in some cases travelling up to 10 km inland, with smaller waves reaching many other countries several hours later – unbelievable display by nature of its unlimited power. Some of the views on the news channel of the destruction left in the wake of these waves is almost incomprehensible and seemed unreal. A natural calamity of this enormity and intensity throws life totally out of gear besides causing widespread human misery. I remember the typhoon that struck Philippines in October 2009 causing extensive damage and showing us what nature in its wrath is capable of. How do we deal with such destruction? What can we do when we are faced with a calamity of this magnitude? How do people cope with the day-to-day?

Inspite of all the chaos and tragedy, the Japanese people have remained calm and poised and caring, as is their way. There have been no media reports of looting, this perfectly describes just how resilient and selfless the people can be. With this kind of attitude, we can only root for these people, knowing that if anyone can pull themselves out of this terrible catastrophe, it will be the Japanese. The Power of the Ordinary!!

Survivors who go through such a life-changing experience must become much more resilient. How can a human being cope with such intense grief of losing everything they own, they cherish and have built… and worse. when they lose their loved ones? How does one cope with such a loss and still have the energy to keep on going? Adversity is a strange thing. When it comes, it is as if the world has come to an end. However, the challenges we face teach us resourcefulness, self-reliance, courage, patience, perseverance, and self-discipline. This is what I have heard and I pray that this will be the case yet again and Japan will actually come out of this much stronger.

Those of us not affected by this tragedy have no business or right to calmly talk about this subject. And as such my intent is to observe, sympathize and chronicle what I have read and seen on the news, and if anything provide a word or two of encouragement and admiration for the people of Japan.

All eyes are upon Japan… today the world is JAPANESE, today we feel their pain and we understand their suffering. Natural Calamities like Tsunami and Earthquakes are just an indication to mankind that there are somethings in life which cannot be controlled or avoided. It is a learning lesson to all of us like how the Japanese have shown with a heavy heart and set an example of unity & strength.

 

I request you to support the disaster relief work in Japan that is on with various social groups around the world. Choose one which is genuine. You too can contribute by making whatever donations you deem appropriate. Please pray for Japan. Please think about those who have lost their all in a matter of minutes but the suffering and the effects of this single event will stay forever in their hearts and minds.

Earthquakes are one of the great signs of Allah in this universe, with which He tests His slaves as a reminder or to instill fear of Him or as a punishment. Man must remember, when the signs occur, his weakness, incapability, humble status before Allah and his need of Him, so he turns to Allah, may He be exalted and glorified, in supplication, beseeching and humility, in the hope that Allah will lift this great distress from the people.

Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

What must be done at the time of an earthquake or other calamity, or an eclipse, strong wind or flood is to repent to Allah, may He be glorified, and to beseech Him and ask Him for well-being, and to remember Him a great deal and ask Him for forgiveness, as the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said at the time of an eclipse: “When you see that, then turn to remembrance of Allah and call upon Him and ask for His forgiveness.” Agreed upon. It is also mustahabb to show compassion to the poor and needy, and to give charity to them, because the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Show mercy, you will be shown mercy.” (Narrated by Ahmad) And he said: “Those who show mercy will be shown mercy by the Most Merciful. Show mercy to those who are on earth and the One Who is in heaven will show mercy to you.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi. And he (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The one who does not show mercy will not be shown mercy.” Narrated by al-Bukhari. It was related from ‘Umar ibn ‘Abd al-‘Azeez (may Allah have mercy on him) that he used to write to his emirs when earthquakes took place telling them to give charity.

And Allah knows best.