Islam teaches that making Du`a is essential, even if Allah knows your needs. Du`a is an act of worship that can change divine decree and bring the mercy of Allah. Rejecting Du`a goes against the teachings of the Prophet and contradicts belief in divine decree.

There is no evidence in the Sunnah to suggest that there is a particular dhikr or du’a that it is mustahabb to recite when an earthquake occurs. Rather one should offer du’a as inspired by Allah to ask for mercy and help from Allah so that He might divert this calamity from the people. For more, please see the detailed answer.