“PRECAUTION FIRST, PROVIDENCE LATER”
Honorable Muslims!
Our Almighty Lord (swt), the Sole Owner of sovereignty, has created everything in harmony and order, from the smallest particle to the vast universe. This marvelous harmony in creation is in accord with “Sunnatullah”, that is, Allah’s (swt) laws and rules. What falls upon us is to act according to this divine order and laws, and to act in accordance with the cause and effect relationship that exists in the universe.
Dear Believers!
One of the events that occur within the circle of causes is natural disasters. It is naturally impossible to prevent disasters such as earthquakes. However, it is our primary duty to take precautions against disasters in the light of reason, science and experience and to mitigate the damage they may cause. This is also what Islam enjoins by the concept of providence (tawakkul). Our religion commands us to take all precautions and fulfill all our responsibilities first. Then it calls on us to place our trust in Allah and, to rely on and surrender to Him (swt).
When we face a painful event despite all the precautions we take, we should be patient and forbearing, and consent to Allah’s decree. We should evaluate the situation we experience through common sense, and draw the necessary lessons from negligence, mistakes and errors. We should supplicate to Allah the Almighty, seek refuge in Him (swt) through repentance and praying for forgiveness, invocation and begging, and ask for His (swt) mercy and help.
Dear Believers!
It is stated in the Holy Qur’an as follows, “Corruption has spread on land and sea as a result of what people’s hands have done, so that Allah may cause them to taste the consequences of some of their deeds and perhaps they might return to the Right Path.”1 Yes, some of the bitter consequences of disasters are due to our own mistakes and negligence. Then, come! Let us be conscious, cautious and prepared against disasters. Let us take the following hadith of our beloved Prophet (saw) as our guide: “Allah will be pleased with those who try to do their work in a perfect way.”2
[1] Rum, 30/41.
[2] Tabarani, Mu’jam al-Avsat, 1/275
FRIDAY KHUTBA OF TOKYO CAMII “PRECAUTION FIRST, PROVIDENCE LATER” (PDF)