Re: New Orleans "southern Decadence"
Although this thread has been severly derailed.
I learned I was incorrect in what I had said. Following is what I received:
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Al-Salâm `Alaykum wa Rahmah Allah wa Barakâtuh.
Everything that happens in creation is by Allah’s decree. We will not call them random events in the context of talking about Allah.
However, it is not for us to impose our own understandings upon Allah’s decrees. Allah knows why He decrees what He does. Allah’s wisdom in what He does is part of the Unseen that we cannot know about except by way of revelation. Since we are not recipients of direct revelation, we cannot make such claims.
In the Qur’ân, we read: “And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, the sight, and the heart – of each of those one will be held to account.” [Sûrah al-Isrâ’: 36]
We also read: “Say (O Muhammad): My Lord has only forbidden immoralities – both those made manifest and those that are concealed – and sin and transgression without right and that you associate with Allah that for which He has not sent down authority and that you say about Allah what you do not know.” [Sûrah al-A`râf: 33]
We should not concern ourselves with trying to figure out the wisdom behind Allah’s actions in His creation, but rather with how we should conduct ourselves when faced with the circumstances that are decreed for us.
In the case where a natural disaster strikes, we are called upon to help those who are faced with hardship and difficulties on account of the disaster. We are called upon by Allah to help our fellow human beings and be charitable when tragedy strikes.
It does not matter if those in need are Muslims or non-Muslims. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Every possessor of a living heart can receive charity.”
And Allah knows best.
Fatwâ Department Research Committee of IslamToday chaired by Sheikh `Abd al-Wahhâb al-Turayrî
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May Allah (SWT) forgive me for my shortcomings as well as everyone elses in the Ummah, ameen.