God’s Justice in Relation to

Natural Disasters

The view of

Said Nursi’s

Risale-i Nur

In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate

When the earth shall quake violently, and the earth shall bring forth its burdens, and man shall say: “What is happening to it?” On that Day, it shall relate its tales; that its Lord has

inspired it. (Qur’an 99: 1-5).

• At the time of the Indian Ocean tsunami on 26 December 2004, in which over 300,000 persons where killed, 168,000 in Indonesia alone, I was lecturing in Central Java in Indonesia. The island of Java was relatively unaffected by the tsunami, since it is sheltered from the Indian Ocean by the larger island of Sumatra. Nevertheless, everyone in Indonesia was shocked at the widespread destruction and loss of life, and there was much soul-searching in an effort to understand God’s will in such a terrible disaster.

26 December 2004300,000 persons where killed,

168,000 in Indonesia alone,

Everyone in Indonesia was shocked at the widespread destruction and loss of life.

There was much soul-searching in an effort tounderstand God’s will in such a terrible disaster.

““Is God just?”Is God just?”

• For Muslims, the questioning was For Muslims, the questioning was especially acute, because Aceh, the north especially acute, because Aceh, the north Sumatran province most severely affected, Sumatran province most severely affected, was known as the most pious and faithful was known as the most pious and faithful Islamic region of the country.Islamic region of the country.

Aceh is known in Indonesia Aceh is known in Indonesia as “the threshold of Mecca.” as “the threshold of Mecca.”

• Many Muslims were asking how God could Many Muslims were asking how God could permit such an event to occur in the most permit such an event to occur in the most God-fearing region of Indonesia, and they God-fearing region of Indonesia, and they wondered where God’s justice could be wondered where God’s justice could be found in an event where good and bad found in an event where good and bad perished indiscriminately.perished indiscriminately.

What does Said Nursi What does Said Nursi say?say?

• The experience of discussing with Indonesian The experience of discussing with Indonesian friends the mystery of God’s will in relation to the friends the mystery of God’s will in relation to the tsunami led me to tsunami led me to studystudy what Said Nursi had to what Said Nursi had to say about natural disasters and how he reconciled say about natural disasters and how he reconciled such events with faith in God’s justice and mercy. such events with faith in God’s justice and mercy.

• A passage in the A passage in the Risale-i NurRisale-i Nur treats these treats these questions. It was penned in response to questions. It was penned in response to questions put to Said Nursi following upon a questions put to Said Nursi following upon a severe earthquake which occurred on 27 severe earthquake which occurred on 27 December 1939 in the Turkish province of December 1939 in the Turkish province of Erzincan. Erzincan.

Said Nursi responds to 7 questions Said Nursi responds to 7 questions about the earthquake.about the earthquake.

First Question. First Question. What is theWhat is the reason for the anxiety that reason for the anxiety that people experience as a result of the earthquake?people experience as a result of the earthquake?

They are terrified that there will be another one.They are terrified that there will be another one. The spiritual and psychological crises that follow upon The spiritual and psychological crises that follow upon

calamities are often worse than the material damage. calamities are often worse than the material damage. People who have experienced disaster are traumatized; People who have experienced disaster are traumatized;

they are fearful that another quake will occur; they live they are fearful that another quake will occur; they live in despair since they do not know how to avoid the in despair since they do not know how to avoid the danger or save themselves. The result is that people liedanger or save themselves. The result is that people lie

awake nights, worried, losing sleepawake nights, worried, losing sleep

and becoming depressed.and becoming depressed.

Lifestyle causes anxietyLifestyle causes anxiety

Said Nursi’s answer Said Nursi’s answer is that licentious, blasphemous is that licentious, blasphemous lifestyles lie at the heart of this fear and despair. lifestyles lie at the heart of this fear and despair.

If people were truly engaged in pious behaviour and living If people were truly engaged in pious behaviour and living according to God’s will, they would not be caught in the grip according to God’s will, they would not be caught in the grip of torment, fear, and despair. of torment, fear, and despair.

They would see the hand of God even in the occurrence of They would see the hand of God even in the occurrence of natural calamities. natural calamities.

““The reins of everything hostile to you – microbes,The reins of everything hostile to you – microbes, plagues,plagues,

storms, famine, earthquakes - are in the hands ofstorms, famine, earthquakes - are in the hands of

Allah. Being wise, He does nothing in vain. BeingAllah. Being wise, He does nothing in vain. Being

compassionate, His mercy is superabundant.” compassionate, His mercy is superabundant.”

View events with eyes of faithView events with eyes of faith If people were living in accord with God’s will, they would If people were living in accord with God’s will, they would

not fear death because they would have a peaceful not fear death because they would have a peaceful afterlife to look forward to. afterlife to look forward to.

They would have the inner resources to confront disaster They would have the inner resources to confront disaster realistically and rationally; they would find strength to realistically and rationally; they would find strength to overcome fear and hope to overcome despair. overcome fear and hope to overcome despair.

If one views natural events with the eyes of faith, “he will If one views natural events with the eyes of faith, “he will realize that storms and earthquakes and tempestuousrealize that storms and earthquakes and tempestuous

events are all submissive officials.events are all submissive officials. They are the occasions for wisdom whichThey are the occasions for wisdom which though apparently harsh are in factthough apparently harsh are in fact most gentle.”most gentle.”

Are disasters a punishment?Are disasters a punishment? Said Nursi does not interpret the earthquake as a Said Nursi does not interpret the earthquake as a

punishment for bad living, but notes that the fears and punishment for bad living, but notes that the fears and despair people experience in confronting such disasters despair people experience in confronting such disasters come from a lack of faithful, observant lives. come from a lack of faithful, observant lives.

However, at least some of the disasters that befall However, at least some of the disasters that befall humanity are the result of pride and obstinacy, of people humanity are the result of pride and obstinacy, of people thinking they know better than God.thinking they know better than God.

Not every person in a society is guilty, but the wrong ideas Not every person in a society is guilty, but the wrong ideas and attitudes of the majority bring down disastersand attitudes of the majority bring down disasters

upon the whole nation.upon the whole nation. In other words, In other words, there is a mysterious connection betweenthere is a mysterious connection between the way people live and the cosmic forces thatthe way people live and the cosmic forces that sometimes “rebel” against human pridesometimes “rebel” against human pride and afflict earthly society.and afflict earthly society.

Second question. Second question. Why don’t disasters Why don’t disasters happen as often in non-believers’ countries? happen as often in non-believers’ countries? Why do they seem to occur mainly in Muslim Why do they seem to occur mainly in Muslim regions?regions?

Said Nursi’s answer: Punishment for small sins is made quickly, on-the-spot, while the punishment for great matters is deferred to a higher court. E.g., one might be forced to pay a trivial traffic fine immediately, but a serious case like homicide will be deferred to an important tribunal. Similarly, God punishes Muslims’ less grievous sins in this world immediately by disasters like earthquakes, while the more serious sins of evildoers are deferred to the Final Judgment.

Third question. Third question. If an earthquake is a If an earthquake is a punishment for sin, why are the innocent punishment for sin, why are the innocent punished for the sins of a few? Not all are punished for the sins of a few? Not all are evildoers, yet in a disaster, everyone suffers.evildoers, yet in a disaster, everyone suffers.

Said Nursi’s answer: Said Nursi’s answer: it is not correct to say it is not correct to say about any human society that only a few people about any human society that only a few people have sinned. have sinned. In every society, most people are in one way or In every society, most people are in one way or another involved in the general wrongdoing. another involved in the general wrongdoing. Through injustices visited upon the poor, the Through injustices visited upon the poor, the corruption of politicians and businessmen, public corruption of politicians and businessmen, public promiscuity, or general disbelief, many people promiscuity, or general disbelief, many people cooperate silently in such misdeeds in various cooperate silently in such misdeeds in various ways. ways.

Social sinSocial sin

Guilt is widespread:Guilt is widespread: by complacently ignoring the wrong, by complacently ignoring the wrong, by profiting from the wrongdoing,by profiting from the wrongdoing, by passively putting up with it and doing nothing by passively putting up with it and doing nothing

to stop it, to stop it, by defending the rights of wrongdoers to carry by defending the rights of wrongdoers to carry

out their offences. out their offences. Nursi is raising the question of what today Nursi is raising the question of what today

is called “social sin,” the general is called “social sin,” the general wrongdoing in a society for which no wrongdoing in a society for which no individual is responsible, but in which all are individual is responsible, but in which all are to some extent complicit.to some extent complicit.

Fourth question. Earthquakes atone for the Fourth question. Earthquakes atone for the sins. They are occasions for people to atone sins. They are occasions for people to atone for sinful deeds. Why does God punish the for sinful deeds. Why does God punish the

innocent along with the guilty?innocent along with the guilty?

Said Nursi replies: Said Nursi replies: the issue is bound up with the issue is bound up with the mystery of Divine determining, that is, the mystery of Divine determining, that is, God’s omnipotent power over all things and the God’s omnipotent power over all things and the reality of human freedom to choose good or reality of human freedom to choose good or evil. He cites the Qur’anic verse: “Fear tumult evil. He cites the Qur’anic verse: “Fear tumult or oppression, which affects not only those of or oppression, which affects not only those of you who do wrong (8:25).” you who do wrong (8:25).”

We are in a proving-We are in a proving-groundground

In this world, a person’s level of responsibility is tested. In this world, a person’s level of responsibility is tested. If in the case of disaster the innocent were spared If in the case of disaster the innocent were spared while the guilty were being punished, then evildoers while the guilty were being punished, then evildoers would do what is right, not because they wanted to would do what is right, not because they wanted to obey and believe in God, but simply out of self-interest, obey and believe in God, but simply out of self-interest, to avoid worldly destruction. to avoid worldly destruction.

The upright “Abu Bakrs” would have no opportunity to The upright “Abu Bakrs” would have no opportunity to show their positive, God-fearing qualities, nor would show their positive, God-fearing qualities, nor would the self-serving, evildoing “Abu Jahls” be shown up as the self-serving, evildoing “Abu Jahls” be shown up as cowardly, desperate people.cowardly, desperate people.

In a disaster, it is necessary that both good and bad In a disaster, it is necessary that both good and bad undergo the same misery, so that the spiritual stuff of undergo the same misery, so that the spiritual stuff of which each is made will become evident.which each is made will become evident.

Disaster victims are a Disaster victims are a kind of martyrskind of martyrs

God does not forget His faithful, upright servants God does not forget His faithful, upright servants in time of disaster. God shows them mercy and in time of disaster. God shows them mercy and treats their suffering as a type of martyrdom treats their suffering as a type of martyrdom which will gain for them a great reward in the which will gain for them a great reward in the afterlife. afterlife.

Just as the deaths of innocent victims can be Just as the deaths of innocent victims can be considered a kind of martyrdom, so also their considered a kind of martyrdom, so also their property and livelihood which were destroyed in property and livelihood which were destroyed in the disaster take on the status of alms, which will the disaster take on the status of alms, which will earn the faithful victims eternal benefit. earn the faithful victims eternal benefit.

Disasters are to be seen Disasters are to be seen in light of God’s in light of God’s goodnessgoodness Men should not complain in time of disaster and illness Men should not complain in time of disaster and illness

nor accuse God of injustice. He gives three reasons:nor accuse God of injustice. He gives three reasons:1.1. Disasters provide an opportunity for God to display Disasters provide an opportunity for God to display

His beautiful qualities by consoling and caring for His beautiful qualities by consoling and caring for innocent victims. innocent victims.

2.2. ““By means of disasters and illnesses, life is refined, By means of disasters and illnesses, life is refined, perfected, strengthened and advanced. A perfected, strengthened and advanced. A monotonous life resembles not so much pure good monotonous life resembles not so much pure good that is being, as pure evil that is non-being.” that is being, as pure evil that is non-being.”

3.3. This world is a testing-ground where patiently This world is a testing-ground where patiently endured suffering purifies the person and becomes endured suffering purifies the person and becomes equivalent to an act of worship of God.equivalent to an act of worship of God.

Are general punishments unjust?Are general punishments unjust?

Fifth question. Fifth question. Would it not be more in Would it not be more in keeping with God’s justice and mercy for keeping with God’s justice and mercy for Him to punish individual sins one-by-one, Him to punish individual sins one-by-one, rather than by sending a general rather than by sending a general punishment like an earthquake? punishment like an earthquake?

Why doesn’t God step in beforehand to Why doesn’t God step in beforehand to prevent an earthquake or other disaster prevent an earthquake or other disaster from happening before destruction occurs?from happening before destruction occurs?

God allows the earth to rebel God allows the earth to rebel against human sinagainst human sin

Said Nursi answers: TSaid Nursi answers: There are times when God here are times when God allows nature to rise up against human sin. allows nature to rise up against human sin. The Qur’an recountsThe Qur’an recounts– the flood visited on the people of Noah, the flood visited on the people of Noah, – the anger of the air at the denial of the peoples of ‘Ad the anger of the air at the denial of the peoples of ‘Ad

and Thamud peoples, and Thamud peoples, – the fury of the sea and water at the people of Pharaoh,the fury of the sea and water at the people of Pharaoh,– the rage of the earth at Qarun, the rage of the earth at Qarun, – and the anger of Hell at the unbelievers in the Hereafter. and the anger of Hell at the unbelievers in the Hereafter.

Nursi does not claim that the natural world can Nursi does not claim that the natural world can make an emotional response such as anger, but make an emotional response such as anger, but shows from the Qur’an that human sin is so shows from the Qur’an that human sin is so disruptive of the cosmic order that on occasion disruptive of the cosmic order that on occasion the earth itself rebels against the sins of humans. the earth itself rebels against the sins of humans.

The wisdom of God’s not The wisdom of God’s not intervening in natural eventsintervening in natural events

Even though God sometimes permits an Even though God sometimes permits an element of the natural world to rise up in element of the natural world to rise up in rebellion against human sin, if God were rebellion against human sin, if God were then to step in and prevent that element then to step in and prevent that element from following its set course, then in the from following its set course, then in the long run, as many instances of good as of long run, as many instances of good as of evil would have been prevented. evil would have been prevented.

Nursi recognizes that it is the function of Nursi recognizes that it is the function of some elements of nature to control and some elements of nature to control and balance others. balance others.

Nursi’s prayerNursi’s prayer

““Just Just as the seas with their as the seas with their strange creatures strange creatures recognize You and make recognize You and make You known, so do the You known, so do the mountains through the mountains through the wise services they perform. wise services they perform. They ensure that the earth They ensure that the earth is released from the effects is released from the effects of earthquakes and internal of earthquakes and internal upheavals, save it from upheavals, save it from being overrun by the seas, being overrun by the seas, purify the air of poisonous purify the air of poisonous gases, function as tanks for gases, function as tanks for the saving and storage of the saving and storage of water, and act as treasuries water, and act as treasuries for the minerals and metals for the minerals and metals necessary for living necessary for living beings.”beings.”

God’s wisdom in creationGod’s wisdom in creation

God’s intervening to override the acts of nature God’s intervening to override the acts of nature would be contradictory to God’s own wisdom.would be contradictory to God’s own wisdom.To cancel the function of a natural element would To cancel the function of a natural element would mean canceling as well all the good results tied to mean canceling as well all the good results tied to the intended action. If an element were thus the intended action. If an element were thus prevented from carrying out its given duty, it prevented from carrying out its given duty, it might avoid bad results, but would also cancel might avoid bad results, but would also cancel many good results. many good results. In his In his wwisdom, God allows the occurrence of isdom, God allows the occurrence of lesser evils for the greater good. lesser evils for the greater good. AA disaster like disaster like an earthquake also an earthquake also hahas positive s positive results, e.g., results, e.g., testing people’s faith, rewarding faithful believers testing people’s faith, rewarding faithful believers to the status of martyrs, and serving as a warning to the status of martyrs, and serving as a warning to evildoers.to evildoers.

Sixth Question. Sixth Question. Modern people deny that Modern people deny that divine intervention is involved in natural divine intervention is involved in natural

disasters.disasters. They hold that such disasters can be explained by They hold that such disasters can be explained by

purely natural causes, such as an earthquake purely natural causes, such as an earthquake occurring because of a shift in the rock strata occurring because of a shift in the rock strata inside the earth or architectonic plates sliding inside the earth or architectonic plates sliding against each other. against each other.

They see no need for recourse to God, sin, or They see no need for recourse to God, sin, or punishment to explain these events. punishment to explain these events.

For them, the universe consists entirely of matter, For them, the universe consists entirely of matter, and disasters are due to an unfortunate and disasters are due to an unfortunate combination of material factors.combination of material factors.

God acts through secondary agentsGod acts through secondary agents

Nursi’s answer: The marvellous complexity of Nursi’s answer: The marvellous complexity of creation shows that not even the smallest element creation shows that not even the smallest element of the cosmos is outside the control of the Creator. of the cosmos is outside the control of the Creator.

Nothing occurs in the universe that is outside of Nothing occurs in the universe that is outside of God’s determination. Sometimes God conceals God’s determination. Sometimes God conceals His power and acts through secondary causes. His power and acts through secondary causes.

E.g., God might on occasion command the E.g., God might on occasion command the terrestrial strata to shift at a fault line, thus terrestrial strata to shift at a fault line, thus producing an earthquake.producing an earthquake.

Distinguishing agent and instrumentDistinguishing agent and instrument

Nursi offers an image:Nursi offers an image:– When a man is shot with a gun, it is not the gun that is blamed but When a man is shot with a gun, it is not the gun that is blamed but

rather the person who fired it. rather the person who fired it. – To consider the gun at fault is ridiculous. Common sense tells us To consider the gun at fault is ridiculous. Common sense tells us

that one has to discover the true agent, not blame the instrument. that one has to discover the true agent, not blame the instrument. To pretend that the earth is the ultimate cause of To pretend that the earth is the ultimate cause of

earthquakes and other natural events is to disregard the earthquakes and other natural events is to disregard the true actor, who is God the Creator. Those who do not true actor, who is God the Creator. Those who do not believe in God are forced to relegate all natural events to believe in God are forced to relegate all natural events to the status of chance occurrences, ignoring the One who the status of chance occurrences, ignoring the One who set forth and directs the forces of nature.set forth and directs the forces of nature.

Lessons to be learned• Seventh Question. What lessons can

people learn from an earthquake occurring in a pious Muslim region? It looks like God was intentionally aiming this earthquake directly at them. Why would God not choose a more irreligious region to inflict with a disaster?

• Said Nursi’s answer is that God sends such natural catastrophes in order to warn people that they should pray and avoid sinful behavior; moreover, God uses these occasions to punish wrongdoing and injustice.

Controversy over the Risale-i Nur

• Nursi accuses the persecutors the students of the Risale-i Nur of being responsible for a series of earthquakes in Turkey:

• “As is indicated by four severe earthquakes in four years coinciding exactly with the severe aggression against the Risale-i Nur students, occurring on each occasion exactly at the time the students were attacked and stopping when the attacks ceased, you are responsible for the heavenly and earthly disasters that have occurred!”

• For saying this, Nursi was accused of claiming that the Risale-i Nur had magical power so that if it were attacked, natural disasters would occur in a kind of Divine retaliation.

Nursi’s clarification

• I was wrongly accused of saying that some of the Risale-i Nur’s ‘wonder-working’ (kerâmet) took the form of ‘slaps.’ As though disasters that occur when the Risale-i Nur is attacked are blows dealt by the Risale-i Nur.

• God forbid! We never said such a thing nor wrote it. What we said, like almsgiving, the Risale-i Nur is a means of repulsing disasters. When it is attacked… then calamities seize the opportunity and assault us…

• I am convinced that such ‘coincidences’ are a Divine bestowal indicating the Risale-i Nur’s acceptability and are a sort of wonder of the Risale-i Nur on account of the Qur’an.

The mystery of human suffering

• On the one hand, disasters occur in pious regions because in there people have not sinned so seriously; consequently, through the earthquake or other disaster God wants to purify them from their sins. – Disasters are connected with the mystery of

human suffering, which Nursi views as a blessing and opportunity sent by God to grow in patience and trust.

• On the other hand, upright lives can sometimes prevent such disasters: “Through the blessings of the Risale-i Nur, Kastamonu was preserved from disasters more than any other province.”

“…no knowledge except thatwhich You have taught…”

• Nursi hastens to admit that these are mere human speculations and the truth remains hidden with God. He cites a Qur’anic verse which states: “All glory be to You. We have no knowledge except that which You have taught us” (Qur’an 2: 32), affirming that natural disasters are among those things about which humans can only conjecture, beyond the basic indications that God has revealed through the prophets.

Final considerations

• I have no doubt that many modern people will find Said Nursi’s explanation of God’s justice in natural disasters unacceptable.

• His understanding of God’s sending or permitting disasters as a punishment for human sin they will consider simplistic and outdated.

• His view that God is accustomed to make use of these tragic events to test people and to bring blessings upon His faithful, patient servants they will regard as wishful thinking and an unfeeling response to the reality of human suffering.

Non-belief offers no better explanation

• However, Said Nursi could rightly respond to such criticisms of his faith-based perceptions by challenging non-believers to come up with their own more satisfactory explanation.

• Nursi points out the inadequacy of “blaming the instrument.” Charts of architectonic plates, oceanic currents, and volcanic substrata will give little hope to victims or make sense of the disasters that have afflicted human lives.

Nursi, while trying to find the meaning contained in occurrences that surpass our human comprehension, provides people with a way to perceive the hand of a just and compassionate God in such events. He shows how we can respond to disaster so that it will be an occasion of growth

and blessing, and not meaningless destruction. In such efforts to understand the workings of God, true human wisdom can be found.