Where is Allah when the Calamities after Calamities happen?

Where is [the Justice of] Allah?

How can a Muslim reconcile the Justice of Allah after discovering;
a CHILD born in Sudan passing every moment of his life suffering unbearable pains of hunger; and another CHILD (as for an example)
born in Sweden enjoying every moment of his life? OR, when the thousands of INNOCENTS are maimed or killed in 9/11; 7/7 or Tsunamis?

Added on September 15/17, 2005
A passage that reveals the interaction of the living and the dead.

The only channel of authentic communication from the Creator to His Vicegerents on this earth is through His Book - Al-Qur'an.

THE BIRTHS AND DEATHS ARE TWO UNSOLVED MYSTERIES...

Normally a person would say that I was born on the day that is recorded in his (her included) Birth Certificate. However, the Spiritual Reality goes beyond this Physical Birth. His life begins several weeks earlier, in the womb of his mother, when there happens a UNION between an "assigned" Soul and his Physical Body. A report appearing in the August 2005 issue of 'Journal of the American Medical Association' confirms that the fetuses are capable of feeling pain during the seventh month of pregnancy. Ask any mother about the "kicking" by her child before the birth and you would agree with Life's Spiritual Reality.

Similarly, we declare a person is clinically dead when the doctor gives up the hope of reviving his physical body. The "stiff" that no one wants to keep in his home, is quickly recycled into the vast supplies of organic matters. The Spiritual Reality of Death is that it happens when the "assigned Soul", upon being recalled by Allah, undertakes the journey into the unknown. The knowledge of which we are about to explore from the Book of Allah.

During our transitory physical life cycle upon this earth, all the CALAMITIES that happen to our SOULS are ALL Decreed Actions. Within the knowledge and wisdom of Allah, they are the results of the POSITIVE and NEGATIVE Earnings of our SOULS from before our BIRTHS.
There befalls not ['Ma asaba] of any calamity [museebatin] in the earth [fil-ardi] nor in your Souls [wa la fee 'anfusikum] , but it is {recorded} in a Book before that ['illa fee kitabim-min qabli], We bring it into being ['an-nabra-'aha], Lo! that is on Allah's part quite easy. Qur'an 57: 22.
Here is an uninterrupted text by Yusuf Ali:
No misfortune can happen on earth or in your souls but is recorded in a decree, before We bring it into existence: that is truly easy for Allah:
Contemplating upon the above verse with full faith and also a belief that Allah is NOT UNJUST IN THE LEAST, one has but to admit the fact that the Soul that has been associated with our body before our BIRTH, has brought along with it a Record of Earlier Judgment. The question of doubting this REALITY, even within the secrets of our heart, is not allowed.
And remember Allah's grace on you and His Covenant [mithaq] by which He bound you when you said: "We hear and we obey" [Sami'-na wa 'ata'-na]. And beware of Allah. Verily, Allah is All-Knowing {even} the secrets of hearts. Qur'an 5: 7.

Please do not be swayed, if someone says; this is not an accredited ISLAMIC PHILOSOPHY.

What better CREDENTIAL there could be for a true BELIEVER than the WORD OF ALLAH?

The following two verses give further assurance that Allah besides being JUST is MERCIFUL and does not shun His Bounties from those Souls that may not qualify to receive them.

Whatever of good befalleth thee ( O man ) it is from Allah, and whatever of
ill befalleth thee it is from thy (own) Soul. Qur'an 4: 79.

Whoever works righteousness, benefits his own Soul; Whoever works evil, it is against his own Soul: Nor is your Lord ever unjust to His servants. Qur'an 41: 46

There is something beyond what is apparent and perceptible to our eyes and minds...


The life of this world is but comfort of illusion." Qur'an 3: 185.

CHANGING OF OUR FORMS AND RECREATING AGAIN...

When in their insolence they transgressed (all) prohibition We said to
them: "Be you apes despised and rejected." Qur'an 7: 166.

...Those who incurred the curse of Allah and His wrath, those of whom some He transformed into apes and swine, those who worshipped Evil; these are (many times) worse in rank, and far more astray, from the even Path! Qur'an 5: 60.

There is no reference in the Qur'an about an instantaneous or on the spot transformation. Since the WORD of Allah does not remain unfulfilled, as observed earlier, the Souls of these transgressors must have been recreated into the despised forms of "apes and swine".
We have indeed created man in the best of shape [taqwin - upright form] Then We revert [radadna - we put back] him to the lowest of the low. Except those who believe and do the good deeds. Then they will have a reward without cessation. Then what makes you disbelieve still in the Judgment? Is not Allah the Best Judge of all Judges? Qur'an 95: 4 to 8.
When the natural or man-made calamities do happen we are deeply moved by seeing and hearing of the hundreds of thousands of DEATHS of Physical Bodies. However, there is another Reality of much greater consequence that occurs simultaneously, that we often neglect to visualize. With each and every DEATH there opens a Door for the fresh journey of the Soul that has been recalled by Allah. The following verse Reveals that our DEATHS too, like our BIRTHS, are not the ACCIDENTAL EVENTS. The separations of our "assigned Souls" from our Bodies are PREDETERMINED Justified happenings that do happen.

We have decreed Death between you and We are not to be forestalled. In that We may alter [nubaddila(u)] your images ['amthal] and may create [nunshi'a(u)] you into what you know not. And you already know the creation in the first instance. Then why do you not take heed?

The uninterrupted translation by Yusuf Ali:

We have decreed Death to be your common lot and We are not to be frustrated. From changing your Forms and creating you (again) in (Forms) that you know not. And you certainly know already the first form of creation: why
then do ye not celebrate His praises? Qur'an 56: 60 to 62.

And do not say about those who are slain in the way of Allah: "They are dead". Nay, they are alive, but you are not aware (of that). Qur'an 2: 154.

THE "TASTE OF DEATH" DURING OUR SLEEP...

The Message concerning the "Taste of Death" is repeated in the Qur'an more than twice and that repeatedly reminds us to CONTEMPLATE seriously on this Mysterious Message.

"It is Allah Who recalls the Souls of men upon their death, and of the living during their sleep. He withholds the Souls of those on whom He has passed the decree of death, and restores the rest till an appointed term. Surely there are signs in this for those who think." Qur'an 39: 42.

Sleep is the Twin Sister of Death. In deep sleep we loose consciousness and are like a dead person. To every Soul Allah gives a WAKEUP CALL, while it is in a Living Body. It is like a brief momentary separation of our Soul. When the Soul of that person is restored into the sleeping body, he immediately regains his consciousness and tries to recollect the vivid mysterious images of that brief journey in time and space. May be, this is Allah's way of giving our Souls and our Minds the "Glimpse of Life after Death" and a reason to THINK...

THE FINAL ACCOUNTING OF OUR SOULS...

As for an example, at the end of each year the company auditors do close the accounts and carry forward the net Assets, Profits and Losses. However, when it is time to close down the company and shut the books, the auditors do prepare the FINAL ACCOUNTS...
When the Earth is shaken to her (utmost) convulsion. And the Earth throws up her burden (from within). And man cries (distressed): "What is the matter with her?" On that Day will she declare her tidings: For that thy Lord will have given her the orders. On that Day will men proceed in different groups to be shown their Deeds. Then anyone who has done an atom's weight of good shall see it! And anyone who has done an atom's weight of evil will see it. Qur'an 99 : 1 to 8.

And you will be paid on the Day of Resurrection only that which you have fairly earned. Whoso is removed from the Fire and is made to enter Paradise, he indeed is triumphant. The life of this world is but comfort of illusion.

Qur'an 3: 185.

Hence, those deep-rooted in knowledge say: "We believe in it [the Book]; the whole [of it] is from our Lord"; Albeit none takes this Message to heart except men of perception. Qur'an 3: 7.

ALLAH KNOWS THE BEST...

Added on August 30:

Criticism: in Islam the theory of re-incarnation is rejected, as all the children are born Muslim innocents.
My Rebuttal: The Deen Islam was selected for us by Allah (s.w.t.). Please quote me the WORDS of Allah from the Qur'an, wherein He has Himself Rejected the theory of re-birth/re-incarnation and has Revealed to mankind that all the children are born Muslim innocents. Since there was no response to the above request, I wish to remind:

Please read the Arabic text of verse 7: 166 (quoted earlier in this article), Allah said to the transgressors: "Be you apes despised and rejected." That SPOKEN COMMAND of Allah kounou endorses the fact that Allah had recreated / reverted them into animal forms. Allah (s.w.t) would not have Revealed to mankind that happening, IF HE HAD REJECTED THE CONCEPT OF RECREATING / REVERTING, THE HUMAN BEINGS INTO LOWER OR DIFFERENT FORM.
On the other hand, Allah wants us to have faith that changing the FORM of human beings into animals is also one of His way of punishment, as REVEALED in the above Verse 7: 166.
"And there are among them (some) illiterates who have no knowledge of the Book, (following) only wishful beliefs and depending on nothing but (hearsay) conjecture." Qur'an 2: 78

"Most of them follow naught but conjecture. Assuredly conjecture can by no means take the place of the (Allah's) Truth" Qur'an 10 : 36.

Added on September 4
TWO SERIOUS COMMENTS:

Comment Number One: The verses 14: 51-52 need to be read with utmost attention: "That Allah may repay each Soul what it hath earned. Lo! Allah is swift at reckoning. This is a clear message for mankind in order that they may be warned thereby...", Personally, I understand that whatever happens to us, before we come to the age of distinguishing the Good Deeds from the Evil, is also from our Souls' earnings. If so, where were our Souls prior to our births, to earn the Goods and the Evils?

Comment Number Two: WHAT IS BARZAKH? Abdullah Yusuf Ali's translation of verse 67: 2 and his relevant foot notes explains the concept of Barzakh as under:
"He Who created Death and Life that He may try which of you is best in deed: and He is the Exalted in Might Oft-Forgiving." The footnotes reproduced from Alim CD are noted below:

September 4, 2005

Added on September 7

Important Criticism:

The critic, who happens to be an active member of a Qur'an Study Group, has presented alternate views, to several passages of the Qur'an, from my article. Here is his first and foremost argument to the translation of Verse 57: 22. He prefers to quote the translation done by M. M. Pickthall, whereas I have quoted by Yusuf Ali which is much more clearer. Upon the correct understanding of Verse 57: 22, rests the groundwork for the rest of my presentation, which is an honest endeavor to prove; whatever befalls upon a community or upon any individual, during his/her birth or later on, Allah is NOT IN THE LEAST UNJUST.
Below (in blue colored print) is a cut and paste from this learned brother's critical mail.
----------------

The critic also writes: Sufferings of children or other innocents are sins of their souls in the past; in this case these individuals are being punishment for past sins they in their current life did not commit and have no knowledge – this would truly be unjust and unfair. Allah s.w.t. is just and fair.

My Rebuttal:
(a) As for the critic's text: Specifically the verse says: Allah s.w.t. has knowledge (in a Book) of future disasters that will happen. Allah (s.w.t.) has no doubt the knowledge of the past, the present and the future. BUT, the issue under study is NOT concerning Allah's KNOWLEDGE, but Allah's JUSTICE when millions of innocents DO suffer. To claim that Allah KNOWS and yet abnormal babies (e.g., blind, deaf, dumb) continue to be born everyday -- and IN SPITE OF THE FACT that there is NO LINK to the Soul's Earlier Acts (as claimed) -- it only proves that ALLAH IS KNOWINGLY UNJUST. (Naus'billah - May Allah forgive me for writing this phrase).

(b) Here is the translation of 57: 22 by Yusuf Ali which I have included in this article:
No misfortune can happen on earth or in your souls but is recorded in a decree, before We bring it into existence: that is truly easy for Allah: Muhammad Asad's translation reads:

(c) The critic writes: Sufferings of children or other innocents are sins of their souls in the past; in this case these individuals are being punishment for past sins they in their current life did not commit and have no knowledge – this would truly be unjust and unfair.
My humble request to the Critic and his fellow students is to read the Verse 7: 172:
And (remember) when thy Lord brought forth from the Children of Adam, from their reins, their seed, and made them testify of themselves, (saying): Am I not your Lord? They said: Yea, verily. We testify. (That was) lest ye should say at the Day of Resurrection: Lo! of this we were unaware. This testimony was made by our Souls before our physical births. THE QUESTION TO ASK OURSELVES IS; ARE OUR PHYSICAL BODIES - THAT DID NOT THEN EXIST, BOUND BY THOSE COVENANTS UNDERTAKEN EARLIER BY OUR SOULS IN PRESENCE OF ALLAH?

(d) Allah (s.w.t.) has not only answered the above question in AFFIRMATIVE BUT HAS REMINDED MANKIND, IN EXPLICIT TERMS, THAT EACH ONE OF US IS BOUND BY THAT EARLIER TESTIMONIES. The Kalimah Shahada recited by a Muslim is founded upon this TESTIMONY:
Remember Allah's grace upon you and His covenant by which He bound you when ye said: We hear and we obey; and keep your duty to Allah. Allah knoweth what is in the breasts (of men). Glorious Qur'an Verse 5: 7.

(e) My Dear Brothers and Sisters, remember the Verse 2: 42: And cover not Truth with falsehood, nor conceal the Truth when ye know (what it is).

Note: It is immaterial how we wish to call those EARLIER DECREES (rebirths of Souls or re-incarnations), the Qur'an confirms that whenever and whatever happens on this earth is in accord with these pre-recorded Decrees which are preserved in a BOOK. If anyone earns sins, he earns it against his own Soul. (4:111). I hope to hear a positive reply.

Added on September 15

A passage that reveals the interaction of the living and the dead:
He causeth the living to issue from the dead. And He is the one to cause the dead to issue from the living. Qur'an 6: 95
Commentary # 918 by Yusuf Ali: Another beautiful nature passage, referring to Allah's wonderful artistry in His Creation... We are asked to contemplate the interaction of the living and the dead. Here is mystical teaching, referring not only to physical life but to the higher plan, -- not only to individual life but to the collective life of nations.

"To all are degrees (or ranks) according to their deeds: for thy Lord is not unmindful of anything that they do. Thy Lord is Self-sufficient full of Mercy: if it were His Will He could destroy you and in your place appoint whom He will as your successors even as he raised you up from the posterity of other people." Qur'an 6: 132-133. Translation by Yusuf Ali.

Comment: "I am an Arab. The concept of KARMA appeals to me." Hussein from N. Iraq.

Behold! in truth the omens of evil are theirs in Allah's sight
but most of them do not understand! Qur'an 7: 131