In the words of the Quran, an earthquake in the eyes of believers and non-believers

The sudden event of an earthquake, which shakes the heart, brings terror to the eyes and takes many lives in an instant - in the eyes of many, it is just a materialistic interpretation of the event! But now the event is not just in numbers, but it is as if it is seen with the eyes of the heart. Allah Almighty says, 'Many examples have passed away before you. So travel in the land and see what was the end of those who denied the truth. In that is a clear lesson for mankind and a guidance and an admonition for those who fear Allah.' (Surah: Ale Imran, verses: 137-138)

But the characteristic of the heedless, ignorant and disbelievers is to turn away from the signs of Allah. Whether it is the verses of the Quran or the clear signs of the power spread throughout the universe - nothing moves their minds. Allah says, 'The hour of reckoning has drawn near for mankind, yet they turn away in heedlessness. Whenever a new reminder comes to them from their Lord, they listen to it in heedless condition - their hearts are in a state of deviation.' (Surah: Al-Anbiya, verse: 13)

Seeing any event, history and reality only through materialistic eyes - worldly thinking is a natural thing for people. Allah describes their mentality and says, 'And if they see a piece of the sky falling, they say, 'This is nothing but dense clouds!' (Surah: Tur, verse: 44)

We see the same attitude in the history of the nation of 'Ad. When they saw the cloud of punishment coming from Allah, they thought simply that it was a rain cloud. Allah says, “Then when they saw it approaching their valley, they said, ‘This is a cloud that will rain on us, but this is what you were hastening for – a strong wind, in which is a painful punishment.’

It destroyed everything by the command of its Lord, so that nothing remained visible except their homes.” (Surah: Ahqaf, verses: 24-25)

A believer never relies solely on material causes. He turns to Allah, the Creator of those causes, the Owner of the heavens and the earth. When He intends a thing, He only says to it, ‘Be,’ and it is. The believer seeks His help so that he does not make a mistake like the son of Noah (peace be upon him).

When Noah (peace be upon him) said to him, ‘O my beloved son! Come up with us, and do not be with the disbelievers.’ The son replied in a completely materialistic way—‘I will take refuge in a mountain that will protect me from the water.’ Then Noah (peace be upon him) said, ‘Today there is no one who can protect from the command of Allah except for whom He has mercy.’ Then the wave came between them and he was among the drowned.’ (Surah Hud, verse: 43)

Have worldly-minded people forgotten—or deliberately pretended to forget—that the earth’s crust, the mountains, the sea—all are governed by Allah’s command? Allah Almighty says, ‘Then he turned his attention to the sky, while it was a cloud of smoke. He said to the heavens and the earth, ‘Come willingly or unwillingly.’ They said, ‘We have come willingly.’

(Surah: Fussilat, verse: 11)

He commands and the creation follows without hesitation. He holds them in their appointed position. Allah Almighty says, ‘Indeed, Allah holds the heavens and the earth together, lest they should break apart. And if they were to break apart, there is none who could hold them together except Allah.’

(Surah: Fatir, verse: 41)

What do the scientists say? They say, unexpected! But nothing is unexpected with Allah. It is as if Allah Almighty is drawing our attention to the tyrant, whose name was Qarun. When Allah bestowed upon him great wealth, he said ungratefully, ‘I have acquired this because of my own knowledge!’ This was his arrogance, his ignorance. As a result, punishment was inevitable—‘So We destroyed him and his house in the earth. He had no party to help him except Allah, nor was he able to defend himself.’ (Surah: Al-Qasas, verse: 81)

What has befallen us today, for which seismologists have not yet found a satisfactory explanation, is not a mere coincidence, but rather it points to the consequences of our actions, our moral degradation, and our mockery of Allah’s laws—lawful interest, promoting alcohol under cultural cover, mocking Islamic law, mocking the verses of Allah—are these not acts that invite punishment? Allah Almighty says, ‘How many a town was there that disobeyed the command of its Lord and His Messengers? And We made them face a severe reckoning and inflicted a terrible punishment. As a result, they suffered the evil consequences of their actions, and their end was complete destruction.’ (Surah: At-Talaq, verse: 89)

Punishment does not only come upon the wrongdoers, it is also a social test! Allah says, ‘And fear a trial that will not be limited to the wrongdoers among you.’ (Surah: Anfal, verse: 25)

Therefore, when sin, injustice, obscenity, corruption, and wickedness spread everywhere in society, then punishment falls not only on the criminals, but on the entire society.

Sin is more in the West, yet nothing happens to them—many people respond to this objection by saying, ‘In countries like America and Europe, moral degradation is many times greater than ours. Yet nothing happens to them! We say, it is a grave mistake to consider their external prosperity as security from punishment. When Allah is angry with someone, His punishment often does not come immediately,

Rather, Allah gives them respite so that they may continue to wander in confusion until one day they are suddenly seized. Allah Almighty says, “When they forgot that with which they had been reminded, We opened for them the doors of everything. Then, when they were overwhelmed with joy at what they had received, We seized them suddenly. And they were plunged into despair.” (Surah: An’am, verse: 44)

Allah's way is somewhat different for believers. If a calamity befalls the believers, it is not a punishment, but a lesson, a warning, and a merciful call to return. If a believer disobeys or follows the path of sin, Allah sometimes punishes him quickly, so that he wakes up, turns to repentance, and clings to the right path. Allah Almighty says, "Mischief appears on the land and the sea because of what the hands of men have earned, that He may make them taste some of the consequences of their deeds, perhaps they will return." (Surah: Ar-Rum, verse: 41)

Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) warned us about these events long ago. For those who want to know the prediction of disasters like earthquakes, Sahih Bukhari mentions the hadith, “The Hour will not come until knowledge decreases, ignorance becomes widespread, earthquakes increase, and wealth becomes abundant, but no one pays much attention to it.” (Bukhari, Hadith: 7121)

Therefore, only a sincere return to Allah can save us from worldly losses.