Since the dawn of history, humanity has sought to understand the events and natural phenomena occurring around them. In the absence of science and research tools, the ancients resorted to myths and folk beliefs as a means to interpret eclipses, lightning, earthquakes, and storms. Despite their strangeness today, these beliefs were, for them, an attempt to comprehend the cosmos and humanity's place within it.
Eclipses: When the Light Disappears
In ancient China, it was believed that a celestial dragon swallowed the sun during an eclipse. To bring the light back, people would bang drums and make loud noises to drive the dragon away. Among the Vikings, a legend spread about two celestial wolves chasing the Sun and the Moon, and the eclipse occurred when they caught them. In other civilizations, an eclipse was considered an omen of a catastrophe or the death of a king or ruler.
Lightning and Thunder: The Voices and Wrath of the Gods
In ancient Greece, lightning was the weapon of the god "Zeus," used to punish rebels. Thunder was his voice when he grew angry. In Northern Europe, the Vikings believed that the sound of thunder resulted from the god "Thor's" hammer striking rocks during his battles. Some African tribes linked lightning to the ability of spirits to communicate with humans or as a sign of a divine warning.
Earthquakes: When the Ground Trembles
In ancient Japan, people believed in a massive catfish called "Namazu" beneath the earth, whose movements caused earthquakes. In Greece, earthquakes were associated with the wrath of the sea god "Poseidon," who was nicknamed the "Earth-Trembler." Some civilizations saw earthquakes as a direct punishment from the heavens for human sins.
Strange Rituals and Customs
In some European villages, people would burn specific herbs during storms, believing it would ward off evil spirits. In ancient India, people were forbidden from eating and drinking during an eclipse, as they believed the food became contaminated with negative energy. In South American civilizations like the Maya, lightning was considered a symbol of fertility, so they performed agricultural rituals after storms to ensure a good harvest.
Science Unveils the Truth
With the passage of time and the development of astronomy, physics, and geology, humanity was able to uncover the scientific explanations for these phenomena: Eclipses occur as a result of the Moon passing in front of the Sun or the Earth's shadow falling on the Moon. Lightning and thunder are electrical phenomena caused by friction between charged clouds. Earthquakes are caused by the movement of tectonic plates deep within the Earth. These scientific facts put an end to many misconceptions and opened the door for humans to understand the universe more clearly.
The Vision of Islam: Monotheism Versus Myths
While the ancients were immersed in superstitions, Islam came with a clear message that liberated humanity from these beliefs: Eclipses (Solar and Lunar): Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught us that they are signs of God, unrelated to the death or life of anyone. He said: "The sun and the moon are two signs of God; they do not eclipse for the death or life of anyone." He urged us to pray and supplicate when they occur. Thunder and Lightning: The Quran states that thunder glorifies God with His praise: ﴿And the thunder exalts [God] with praise of Him - and the angels [as well] from fear of Him﴾ [Ar-Ra’d: 13]. Earthquakes: These are also by God's power and wisdom; they may be a trial or a reminder of human fragility before the Creator's magnificence. Islam thus presented a vision based on Monotheism (Tawhid) and faith in God alone, far from illusions and myths, confirming that these phenomena are magnificent signs that attest to God's power, and are not the result of the wrath of multiple gods or mythical creatures.
These ancient beliefs reveal how humans attempted to interpret the world with their limited means, and how they filled their ignorance with myths and symbols. But with the advent of science, and especially the light of Islam, humanity realized that the universe operates according to a precise system by the power of God Almighty. Monotheism is the correct path to understanding existence, while those beliefs are merely pages from the history of human imagination.
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