ISLAMIC

Meaning Of Recent Earthquake

Question:
How should we as Muslims view the earthquake that has happened recently?  And is there a Hadith mentioning one of the signs of the end of time there will be three earthquakes?

Answer:
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) is His Slave and Messenger.
The happening of many earthquakes is among the minor signs of the Day of Judgement. The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “The Hour will not happen until knowledge will be uplifted and many earthquakes will take place.” [Al-Bukhaari] Also, among the signs of the Hour is the occurrence of three major landslides. The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) when mentioning the ten signs of the Day of Judgement said: “… and three major landslides, one in the East, one in the West and one in the Arabic peninsula…” [Muslim]
The earthquakes and other signs in this universe are a lesson for the believer. Allaah frightens his slaves with such occurrences so a Muslim should take heed and repent, and fear that what happened to others could have happened to him because of his sins.
Besides, among other lessons that a Muslim learns from such an incident is that in the eye of Allaah the creation will have no value when they disobey Him [He would careless if they are destroyed or vanish] and should remember by the occurrence of such earthquakes the horror of the Day of Judgment and the destruction that the whole universe will undergo.
Allaah knows best.
Source
[http://www.islamweb.net/emainpage/index.php?page=articles&lang=A&id=165733]