“Whatever misfortune befalls you is a consequence of your own deeds. But much of it He forgives.You cannot frustrate Him in the earth; you have no protector nor helper against Allah.And of His Signs are the ships that sail in the sea like mountains. If He so wills, He can cause the winds to become still so that they will remain motionless on its surface. Surely there are many Signs in this for those who are wont to be steadfast and give thanks.He may, while forgiving much of the sins of those that ride these ships, drown them on account of some of their misdeeds. Then those who wrangle about Our Signs will come to know that there is no escape for them.”
(The Quran, 42:30-35)
Here the cause of all human afflictions is not being stated but the address is directed to the people who were at that time committing disbelief at Makkah. They are being told: Had Allah seized you for all your sins and crimes, He would not have even allowed you to live. But these calamities are only a warning so that you may take heed and examine your actions and deeds to see as to what attitude and conduct you have adopted as against your Lord. And you can try to understand how helpless you actually are against God against Whom you are rebelling, and know that those whom you have taken as your patrons and supporters, or the powers that you have relied upon, cannot avail you anything against the punishment of Allah.