At the end of 2022, there have been at least five earthquakes that occurred on Earth. The shock strength of these earthquakes is also quite large, which is an average above 5.6 on the Richter scale. One of a series of earthquakes has also damaged residential areas and public facilities in Cianjur, West Java. But apart from natural phenomena, is there another message behind the arrival of earthquake disasters?
The Story of the Lawlessness of the Prophets Inflicted by the Earthquake
In the Quran, Allah Swt tells a series of stories about the earthquake disaster that He inflicted on the past people. In addition to imparting knowledge, these stories are written so that future people can learn from them and continue to improve themselves. The earthquake disaster was handed down by God to the disobedient prophets as a form of His doom to them for making mischief on God’s earth and denying His messengers.
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Earthquake Hits the Tsamuds
The first earthquake told in the Quran was the earthquake that hit the Tsamuds. In the Quran surah Al-A’raf verses 77-78, it is said that the Tsamuds had disobeyed Allah and His messenger, namely the Prophet Salih a.s.
“So they hamstrung the she-camel and were insolent toward the command of their Lord and said, “O Salih, bring us what you promise us, if you should be of the messengers.” So the earthquake seized them, and they became within their home corpses fallen prone.” (QS. Al-A’raf: 77-78)
The above verse describes the descent of an earthquake to the Tsamuds, who denied and opposed the truth brought by the Prophet Salih a.s.
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It is said that the Tsamuds built houses, palaces, and sculpted mountains at will and according to their lifestyle. For this reason, Allah became enraged because they had made mischief on Earth and denied Allah’s messenger, the Prophet Saleh. These people were then hit by an earthquake ravaging their homes and residential areas.
The location of the Tsamud’s residence is known to be between South Yemen and North Medina, which is now called Madain Saleh.
Earthquake Befalls the Luths
The second earthquake told in the Quran is the earthquake that hit the Luths. It is said that the Luths (the Sodomites) often committed misconduct and practiced sexual perversion. The Prophet Luth, who encouraged and invited them to the truth, was denied. Then, come down the doom of Allah Swt to them, as mentioned in the Quran surah Hud verse 82 following:
“So when Our command came, We made the highest part [of the city] its lowest and rained on it stones of baked clay, one on another.” (QS. Hud: 82)
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The above verse is interpreted as an earthquake and a rain of rocks as an erupting mountain. Years later, as science and technology have developed, evidence that these events are earthquakes and volcanoes can be proven. Geologists visit the Dead Sea, they reveal that the Luth area is on an earthquake fault and there is a volcano.
Earthquake Befalls the Madyans
The third earthquake in the Quran is the earthquake that hit the people of Madyan. It is said that the people of Madyan have disobeyed Allah Swt and His messenger, namely the Prophet Shuaib a.s. They worship the big trees and regard them as God. In addition, they also liked to do immorality and rejected the teachings of the Prophet Syu’aib.
In the Quran, the story of the earthquake that befell the people of Madyan is mentioned in the QS. Al-A’raf 90-92 and Al-Ankabut verses 36-37 below:
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“Said the eminent ones who disbelieved among his people, “If you should follow Shu’ayb, indeed, you would then be losers.” So the earthquake seized them, and they became within their home corpses fallen prone, those who denied Shu’ayb as though they had never resided there. Those who denied Shu’ayb – it was they who were the losers.” (QS. Al-A’raf: 90-92)
“And to Madyan (We sent) their brother Shu’ayb, and he said, “O my people, worship Allah and expect the Last Day and do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption.” But they denied him, so the earthquake seized them, and they became within their home corpses fallen prone.” (QS. Al-Ankabut: 36-37)
Earthquake Befalls the Qarun
The fourth earthquake recounted in the Quran is the one that hit Qarun, a cousin of the Prophet Moses a.s. who came from the Children of Israel. The earthquake that befell Qarun is mentioned in the Quran surah Al-Qasas verse 81.
“And We caused the earth to swallow Qarun and his home. And there was for him no company to aid him other than Allah, nor was he of those who [could] defend themselves” (QS. Al-Qasas: 81)
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At first Qarun was obedient to the Prophet Moses a.s., but after being wealthy, he was arrogant and forgot the land. The mainland eventually engulfed Qarun and his home. The possible cause is the phenomenon of liquefaction, which is the loss of strength of the subsoil so that it becomes liquid due to earthquake vibrations.
The stories of the prophets’ disobedience above are a form of firmness as well as a warning from Allah Swt towards humans so as not to do disobedience on Earth. Because this can bring the torment of Allah Swt in the form of earth shocks or earthquakes.