Earthquake Shakes Indonesia's NTT, Prompts Tsunami Warning; Historical Accounts of Quakes Recalled

A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake jolted the Nagekeo region of Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT), Indonesia, on Saturday morning, prompting a tsunami early warning for several coastal areas.

The earthquake, which occurred at 04:58:24 WIB with a depth of 15 kilometers, was centered approximately 30 kilometers offshore from Mbay-Nagekeo. The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) issued a Tsunami Early Warning Level 2 for parts of NTT, including northern Manggarai, northern Ngada, northern West Manggarai, northern Ende, and northern Sikka. Tsunami alerts were also extended to parts of Sulawesi and West Nusa Tenggara.

BMKG's sea-level monitoring indicated the largest tsunami wave reached 0.94 meters in Maurole, Ende, by 07:05 WIB. Waves were also detected in Alor, Dompu, Sikka, East Flores, Labuan Bajo, Baubau, Bulukumba, and Kolaka. This event serves as a reminder of earthquakes as a natural phenomenon known since antiquity.

The article then delves into historical Islamic texts, referencing a narrative from Ibnu Qayyim al-Jauziyyah's "Ad-Daa wad Dawaa." It describes a situation during the time of Prophet Muhammad SAW when an earthquake occurred, causing fear among his companions. The Prophet reportedly placed his hand on the earth and said, "Be calm, for your time has not yet come." He then addressed his companions, stating, "Indeed, your Lord is reprimanding you, so pay attention to His reprimand."

However, the article notes a scholarly debate regarding the occurrence of earthquakes during the Prophet's era. Imam Ibnu Abdil Barr reportedly stated that there is no authentic hadith confirming an earthquake during the Prophet's time. Despite this, the article concludes by mentioning a hadith from Abu Hurairah RA, where Prophet Muhammad SAW foretold that earthquakes would become more frequent as a sign of the approaching Day of Judgment.