Disaster Mitigation and preparedness from the Perspective of Holy Quran

Abbas  Ostadtaghizadeh; Mohsen Nouri; Hamidreza Aghababaeian; Ahad Roohani-Majd; Sayyed Ziaoddin  Olyanasab; Saber  Azami-Aghdash; Mahdi  Nateghpour; Seyed Jamal  Khalesinejad; Mehdi  Asghari Jighe

doi:10.18502/jebhpme.v7i4.15479

Abbas Ostadtaghizadeh Department of Health in Emergencies and Disasters, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mohsen Nouri Spiritual Health Research Center, Mental Health Department, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health (Tehran Institute of Psychiatry), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Hamidreza Aghababaeian Department of Medical Emergencies, Dezful University of Medical Sciences, Dezful, Iran
Ahad Roohani-Majd Department of Education, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Sahand University of Technology, Tabriz, Iran
Sayyed Ziaoddin Olyanasab Department of Education, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Sahand University of Technology, Tabriz, Iran
Saber Azami-Aghdash Tabriz Health Services Management Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
Mahdi Nateghpour Research Center of Quran, Hadith and Medicine, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Seyed Jamal Khalesinejad Research Center of Quran, Hadith and Medicine, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mehdi Asghari Jighe Tabriz Health Services Management Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jebhpme.v7i4.15479

Keywords: Disaster, Mitigation, Preparedness, Holy Quran

Abstract

Background: Different religions have tackled the issue of natural disasters, considering them the result of people’s sins, holy action, and tools used by God to punish people. These beliefs will keep people reluctant to do anything to respond well to disasters since they believe that nothing could or should be done. Of course, the Holy Quran advises believers to stay cautious about disaster risks and try to lessen them. Thus, this research aims to investigate the verses of the Holy Quran about disaster risk management to correct religious beliefs about this topic.

Methods: A qualitative study was conducted. First, verses of Holy Quran related to disasters were identified through a search in Quran’s text, translation, and interpretation. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

Results: 82 of verses were included in the analysis after evaluating their content. The results were divided into two categories: readiness, and prevention and vulnerability reduction.

Conclusion: This research confirms that Islam has paid much attention to disaster readiness and prevention. This issue has been stated in Holy Quran with many examples and suggestions. Precise reflection in these verses can have a notable influence on changing the views and beliefs of society members, and these verses are proof of the policies, actions, and plans that humanity has reached after years of experience against hazards.