This earthquake on the 8th of October 2005 reminds us of the Day of Judgement when the whole of the earth will shake and not any part of it will remain intact. In Surah AL-HAJJ, chapter no.22, verse no.01 Allah says, "Men, have fear of their Lord. The catastrophe of the hour of Doom shall be terrible indeed. On that when day every lactating mother shall forsake her infant, every pregnant female shall deliver her burden, you shall see mankind reeling like drunkards although not drunk but dreadful will be Allah's chastisement." Just realise what has been left after the earthquake destroyed buildings and houses in Kashmir. Thousands of people have died and thousands survived are seeking refuge outside their fallen homes. Imagine the panic when everyone had been running away to saw his skin. Allah Almighty warns all of us through this earthquake reform ourselves. From among the established Sunnah of Allah, we can say that He punishes us for our sins.

In Sura Hood, Verse 102, Allah says, "Such was the scourge which your Lord has visited upon the sinful towns. His punishment is stern and harrowing." In Sura Al-Isra, Verse 16, Allah Almighty says: "When We resolve to annihilate a town, We first command those that live in luxury (to obey us) but they transgress therein. Thus the sentence is justly pronounced against it and We utterly destroy it." Let us pray to shower His mercy upon us and, pardon our sins and enable us to tread on the right path.