In the
Name of Allah, the beneficent, the Merciful
IS GOD
CRUEL?
[Shamim A
Siddiqi,
The
tragedy of Tsunami Earthquake devastated a vast area of Tidal belt of the
The “innocent” questions that are constantly
raised are very simple: Is God Merciful? Why He destroyed the poor along
with the rich? Is God cruel? Has He no sympathy with the suffering poor?
These questions arise simply because due to
misunderstanding of the universe and the principles on which the affairs of
this cosmos are managed by the Creator and Sustainer.
The Creator and Sustainer of this universe hates cruelty and injustices under any circumstances and
wants only justice to prevail in this world and in the human society. That
would have been possible only when His given Divine system is in enforce
everywhere in the human society. But, in fact, it is no where visible and
for this missing phenomenon both the rich who are controlling the affairs of
this globe through their secular nationalist system and those who are
being exploited one way or the other are to be blamed. Both are the
"criminals" in the eyes of Divine Justice. One by enforcing the
manmade laws and system, filling the earth with bloodshed, injustices and disbalances in every walk of life The other by
keeping silence, helping the ruling class and dominant societies to
exploit the world for their shortsighted games and vested interests.
So it makes no difference who is the
greater "criminal". One is active and the other is
passive. Divine Laws and system are being ignored, sidetracked and
neglected by everyone and none is trying to hold the hands of the
oppressors. Both the developed and the underdeveloped are at fault. The rich
and the poor both are the creatures of God and, as such, both must be carrying
out His will in their respective domain. If a calamity falls anywhere on the
surface of this earth both the “criminals” will have to pay the price of their
disobedience to their Lord and causing disbalances in
human society. Both the factions, instead of pointing their fingers to their
Sustainer, should and must point it to themselves. Had they been following His
Divine Guidance meticulously, the world would have been experiencing a
different treatment from their God, quite contrary to what we are witnessing
today all around the world.
It reminds me a Hadith Qudsi [a Hadith that is narrated by Allah Himself is called Hadith Qudsi] God asked the angle to turn over some
habitation upside down due to same crimes that are being committed today
throughout this world, irrespective of the fact whether it is developed or
undeveloped country. The angle found a very pious person in that habitation. He
went back to God and reported that there is a man who is totally devoted
to You and is always busy in your worship and
remembrance. God directed the angle to go to turn the habitation first on his head and then the entire
habitation upside down because when the Divine rules were violated,
ignored and ridiculed was there any
wrinkle of disapproval on his face. [By keeping silence, he became part
of the game and hence he must be punished first]
This Hadith must
be an eye opening lesson for all who raise such “silly” questions as
quoted above without least considering what we all are doing and how we are
behaving on this earth that does not belong to any one of us howsoever
great he/she may be and we have no say in its physical administration. Equally,
we are violating His Moral laws that could keep the human society in balance.
It is the normal phenomenon that exists almost in every continent of the world.
We all are “culprits.” With what face we “expect” mercy from our God Who
has constantly been reminding all of us through “small” natural calamities
[warning signals] like flash floods, brush fires, tornados, cyclones,
earthquakes, heavy down pour, land slides and what not but we don’t take any
lesson form them by just attributing them to acts of “mother-nature,” the
most irresponsible phrase that the mockery of man has invented to deceive
himself and his fellow human beings day in and day out.
No,
God is not cruel. God is merciful,
beyond our imagination but we could not prove ourselves worthy of His infinite
mercy. "Fataberu ya
Ulul Absar" Only
the people of wisdom will take lesson from it.
Shamim A Siddiqi
January 17, 2005
AN OPEN
LETTER TO JEWISH LOBBY
Gentlemen - The
Tent of Abraham, Hagar & Sarah
SUBJECT: A CALL FOR PEACE MAKING [REF: YOUR FULL PAGE ADD IN NEW
YORK TIMES –
I wish your “call for peace making” would have
been a genuine campaign. Unfortunately, your approach is partial and
concocted. It does not present the true picture of the state of affairs of the
region.
* You are ignoring, among the causes, the “state terrorism” and “preemptive” wars on fake
stories being perpetuated in the heart of the
*. You are ignoring the human sufferings
both of Palestinians and the forcefully “ejected” Arabs who are
denied even an honest living condition in their homeland. Who will listen
to you if you do not stand for justice to all?
*.Your historical presentation is lopsided: Your
captioned add says: "Abraham.... he sojourned, …and to
* Does the Sojourn of Abraham, as presented in
the captioned add, not cover the same area that represents your dream
land of "Greater Israel"? Will its emergence not sabotage the
peace of the countries that are covered under the map that is engraved on the
forehead of your parliament in Tel-Aviv? Be sincere to your “call” , the world
will love you.
* What peace can you bring in the region, if you
cannot live in peace with your own people,
the Palestinians; meet their human rights, thereby presenting a
model to others? Start justice and peace from "home," world will
acknowledge it with equal response.
* Return of the forcefully “ejected” Palestinian
is the acknowledged bone of contention between the two “factions” for long.
They want to return back to their “own” land but you all are refusing this
rightful claim. What rights you have to do so? If you do not fight for their
legitimate rights and do not learn to live together in peace, from where they
will get justice and how?
* How far will you continue to
persistently deny seeing the world beyond your own nose? Would you look into
your own charge-sheet of "crimes" against "your" God,
"The God of Israel" and repent? "Respect and
peace" are the rewards from Lord God when humans
behave honestly for His pleasure. It cannot be acquired by
"threats", intimidation, coercive means and arms twisting of
"others." Be honest and peaceful to others, peace will come to you in
its wake.
* In fact, Jews, Muslims and Christians can live
together in peace, provided they all follow Prophet Abraham and struggle
jointly for the "
* If you resolve to work on this line, you
will get the support of the entire Judeo-Christian-Muslim community around the
world. It would then resolve the issue of
* Will you re-set your “call for peace” in the light of what I have very painfully
pinpointed above?
* Can you present these assertions to PM Sharon
for negotiations with the newly elected Mahmud Abbas, the President of so-called
My best wishes are with you and your sojourn to
peace negotiations for the “Free” State of Palestine and a “secured”
Your
well wisher
Shamim
Siddiqi.
Contact
E-mail: tsidd96472@aol.com