The Unsinkable

The story of the Titanic, a gigantic ship that sank on its first journey, has fascinated people for a long time. The owner, J. Bruce Ismay, once said the ship was so well-built that not even God could sink it. This claim makes us think about human pride, the limits of our creations, and what Islam teaches about such attitudes.

The "Unsinkable" Ship:

In the early 1900s, the company that built the Titanic proudly said it was unsinkable. They believed the ship's fancy safety features, like compartments that could keep out water, made it invincible. J. Bruce Ismay, the owner, even said, "even God Himself could not sink this ship." People thought the Titanic couldn't sink because it had 16 compartments that could stop water from coming in. It even had a double layer of steel to make it extra strong.

The Tragedy:

The Titanic hit an iceberg on its first trip and sank. The compartments couldn't keep all the water out, and the ship went down. Sadly, more than 1,500 people lost their lives. This disaster showed that no matter how smart we are or how great our inventions are, Creator of the universe possesses the most strength. It was a big lesson about being too sure of ourselves. This made everyone realize that, no matter how amazing something seems, we should always be aware of Allah's power. The Titanic story teaches us to be humble and not challenge Allah’s power and authority.

Islam on Being Humble:

Islam teaches us to be humble and not to be too proud. The Quran asserts that we should remember we are just human, and no one is like Allah. Being humble means knowing we have limits and acknowledging the power of Allah.

“As for those who believe and do good, He will reward them in full and increase them out of His grace. But those who are too proud and arrogant, He will subject them to a painful punishment. And besides Allah they will find no protector or helper.” (Quran 4:173)

“And do not turn your nose up to people, nor walk pridefully upon the earth. Surely Allah does not like whoever is arrogant, boastful.” (Quran 31:18)

“Yet they have taken besides Him gods who cannot create anything but are themselves created. Nor can they protect or benefit themselves. Nor can they control life, death, or resurrection.” (Quran 25:3)

Ismay's Claim:

J. Bruce Ismay's bold claim that even God couldn't sink the Titanic turned out to be tragically incorrect on its very first voyage. The ship's collision with an iceberg and subsequent sinking shattered the illusion of invincibility that surrounded the Titanic. This serves as a powerful reminder that human pride and overconfidence can lead to grave consequences. The tragic outcome of the Titanic emphasizes the importance of humility and caution. It underscores the need to recognize the inherent limits that exist, ultimately reminding us of the significance of approaching our endeavors with a sense of humility and accepting the supreme power of Allah. Islam teaches that we should use our brains and skills wisely, knowing that Allah is in control.

Lesson to Remember:

The Titanic story reminds us that no matter how much we achieve, we should stay humble. Islam guides us to be smart and capable while acknowledging the ultimate power of Allah. As we remember the Titanic, let it be a lesson in being humble and understanding our place in the world.