Of quakes and devastations…

I love to watch the History Channel 555 on Astro. The series are eyeopeners, knowledge enriched as well as being therapeutic when times are taxing and academic commitments become so stressful and too demanding.

Was watching a slot on the Lost City of Atlantis which existed thousands of years ago, whereby it seems more recent studies suggests that it may be situated more towards the east; near the island of Crete. It is believed that the technology advancements during that civilization then were very advanced. The existence of sophisticated high rise buildings with indoor plumbing, extensive irrigation facilities, architecture, code of laws where men and women are of equal standing plus other richness of information. However, within a blink of an eye, the whole civilization vanished in a huge earthquake.

The devastation produced by the event was far worse than the one which afflicted the island of Krakatoa in 1883. Even then, the Krakaota produced a Tsunami reaching 120 feet high killing about 36,000 people. Skies were blackened for three days. The sound of the explosion was heard as far away as 3,000 miles. The one at Atlantis was 4 times that of Krakatoa. Just imagine? Good readups are available here and here.

And then, news came of the quake which hit the Samoas followed by Padang, Indonesia. Questions started to arise. Are those two earthquakes connected? (Read here).

Whatever, such news brought sorrow deep down in my heart. How fragile this precious earth is. How little there is beholding our lives. Only God knows how long more we can withstand watching our lives unfold before our eyes.

How true are the words of Socrates:
"Man's life is like a drop of dew on a leaf."

While our are hearts are still pounding, why not contribute some of the good things that God has mercifully bestowed upon us.

"And every one has a direction to which he should turn, therefore hasten to (do) good works; wherever you are, Allah will bring you all together; surely Allah has power over all things.” (Al Baqarah: 148)

Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM) has taken up a mission called Misi Kasih Padang (freely translated as The Mission - Love Padang) to help those in need there. (Click here for more information).

Being in Malaysia, we have been spared of this catastrophe and for that, we are truly blessed by God. But then, who knows about the future?

Let the following words of the Quran below remind us of the fragility of our existence (Surah The Romans: 41-43):

“Disasters have spread throughout the land and sea, because of what the people have committed. He thus lets them taste the consequences of some of their works, that they may return (to the right works).”

“Say, "Roam the earth and note the consequences for those before you." Most of them were idol worshipers.”

“Therefore, you shall devote yourself completely to this perfect religion, before a day comes which is made inevitable by GOD. On that day, they will be shocked.”

Are we fully aware too that studies have shown that these catastrophes may strike again, anytime in the near future? (Read here and here).

Till then, we can only pray to God, to ward ourselves of these perils. Also to hasten in doing and promoting good deeds while we still can. I will continue to watch the History Channel 555, to remind me constantly of my existence and fuel my soul of the urgency to enjoin good.

Would you like to watch the channel too? Tell me if you have other enlightening information. Do share them with me. I would only be too happy and grateful…