Natural disasters as signs of the Day of Judgment

It is often questioned whether natural disasters are signs of the Day of Judgment. The Prophet mentioned earthquakes as one of the signs of the Day of Judgment, and some scholars noted that people may start to expect earthquakes as a norm. However, the occurrence of natural disasters exposes the unnatural neglect, greed, and disparities within humanity. The disparities in infrastructure and global poverty reflect our collective neglect and greed. These disasters highlight our vulnerabilities, insecurity, and dependence on Allah. At an individual level, tragedies reveal our true nature and response to adversity. The believer resorts back to their faith, while the hypocrite exposes their hypocrisy. Therefore, it is essential to reflect on our reactions and prepare ourselves internally for future tests, without relying on catastrophic events to awaken our sense of faith and readiness for the Day of Judgment.