Al Zalzalah

Two nights ago, Chloe, N. and I were having supper and dessert at a local cafe to celebrate Chloe's birthday...

11.45 pm;

Me: So you have a younger sister right? What's her name?
N.: Yeah, her name is Zala.

Me: Ooh that's different! What does it mean?

N.: It doesn't mean anything, my parents just came up with it.

Me: Oh? Hmm... is it related to zalzalah (earthquake), you know like Surah Al Zalzalah?

Chloe: Oh yeah, it could be.

4.40 am;

Me: *fast asleep in bed when the bed started to shake and things in the room started to move* 

My brain: Hmgzhhrhh?????!! Probably just another one of those tremors we get once in a while. *ZzzZzzZz*

6 am;

News reports about a massive earthquake of about 7.0 on the Richter scale had taken place in Christchurch (a city about 45 minutes away by plane) were all over the media. Texts messages were sent around and Facebook status updates about the earthquakes were posted. Christchurch experienced aftershocks throughout the day and the city was literally shaken; buildings were reduced to rubbles, roads cracked and people were injured and in shock. Debris were reported to be everywhere in the city centre and power supply was disrupted. 

Although we felt the earthquake we weren't really affected by it. Earthquakes and tremors are no strangers to people who live in New Zealand but it has been quite a while since an earthquake of this magnitude happened. I texted some friends in Christchurch to check if they were okay and alhamdulillah, they are all physically fine. Nothing more than some broken plates and some mess to clean up. Some feared another major quake would happen but so far it's been clear. The government has ordered an evacuation and a curfew for people who live near the central business district (CBD) just in case. By looking at images of the aftermath I can understand how shaken Christchurch residents must feel right now. They reminded me of scenes from that movie called 2012.

For more pictures look through NZ Herald's Christchurch Earthquake gallery

Funny how we were talking about Surah Al Zalzalah just hours before the earthquake happened. SubhanAllah, another reminder for all of us during the last days of Ramadhan. I should also mention how it was also snowing, raining, hailing and then back to sunny that day before the earthquake happened. Freaky weather. Coincidence? I think not.

P.S. I think Lailatul Qadr was last night. It was very, very calm and still. I couldn't even feel the slightest breeze and the weather was temperate; not cold at all considering that it was snowing the day  before! Plus it was the 25th night of Ramadhan. Allahu3alam. What do you guys think? What did you experience last night?

P.P.S. Thank you to all those who sent messages to ask if we were okay! Yes, we are all good alhamdulillah =)