Earthquakes: An Interdisciplinary Study of Their Causes, Nature, and Human Response in the Light of Science, the Qur’an, Hadith, Classical Scholarship, and Contemporary Research

Abstract

Earthquakes are among the most powerful natural phenomena, profoundly influencing human life, society, and intellectual thought. This interdisciplinary study examines earthquakes from the perspectives of geoscience, the Qur’an, Hadith, classical Islamic scholarship, and contemporary disaster research. It explores the scientific causes of earthquakes, including plate tectonics, fault movements, seismic waves, and aftershock patterns, while also reviewing their global and regional distribution. The study analyzes Qur’anic verses and Prophetic traditions related to earthquakes and presents the interpretations of classical Muslim scholars regarding their physical, moral, and spiritual dimensions. It further highlights the contributions of medieval Muslim scholars such as al-Kindi, Ibn Sina (Avicenna), and al-Suyuṭi, who discussed both natural explanations and theological perspectives on seismic events, with some advocating practical engineering measures to reduce earthquake damage. Contemporary research on disaster risk reduction demonstrates that Islamic principles of knowledge (al-ilm), responsible human effort (ikhtiyar), and trust in God (tawakkul) encourage preparedness, resilience, and proactive disaster management rather than fatalism. Case studies, particularly from India, illustrate the devastating human and economic impacts of earthquakes and emphasize the importance of resilient infrastructure, public awareness, and effective emergency planning. The study concludes that science and religion offer complementary perspectives: science explains the physical mechanisms of earthquakes and provides strategies for risk reduction, while the Qur’an, Hadith, and Islamic scholarship offer ethical guidance, spiritual reflection, and psychological resilience for individuals and communities affected by such disasters.