Shaykh Ṣāliḥ bn Fawzān Al-Fawzān (حفظه الله) mentioned:
“Fourthly, among the tribulations: ‘There will be many earthquakes (zalāzil),’ it is the plural of zilzāl—and refuge is sought in Allāh—and it is the shaking of the earth.
“Allāh made the earth stable and firm, and he stabilized it with the mountains, so that people can live on its surface.
“So in the end times, the shaking of the earth and earthquakes will be abundant, and thus many lands will be destroyed—as is currently occurring and as you are hearing about these earthquakes in which many people and lands are destroyed.
“And these are punishments that Allāh exerts upon the slaves. When they become corrupt during the end times, Allāh exerts punishments upon them. So they [i.e., the abundant earthquakes] are from the aspect of punishment and the aspect of reminder to the people of faith, that they should wake up and repent to Allāh, the Mighty and Majestic.
“And it is not to be said that ‘these are natural phenomena,’ as those who feign knowledge and the ignoramuses say. ‘Natural phenomena do not indicate anything. They are only natural phenomena that are occuring.’
“No. They are not natural phenomena. Why was there no natural phenomena in the past times?! Due to the rectitude and righteousness of the people. This is only occuring in the end times as a portent and warning to the people, so that they can learn from them.”
Reference: Sharḥ Kitāb Al-Ḥawādith Wa Al-Fitan pp. 80-81
Translated by Abū ʿAffān ʿAbdulQādir
