إجازة الأستاذ أحمد لبن مدير المنتدى بقراءة الإمام عاصم الكوفي

A RATIONALE APPROACH TO AFFIRM THE EXISTENCE OF GOD,
Prepared by
Mohammed A. Al-Abdulhay
A certified presenter of Islam (BCII), a member of online dialogue to present Islam
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1. INNATE
Believing in God it seems to be something built in the human mind and heart. Consequently, it is not surprising to find that all human societies throughout human history, with very few exceptions, have believed in the existence of God. If we look throughout the history of mankind, definitely we find that the majority of people have believed in God. Ancient Greek philosophers like Plato and Aristotle rationally concluded that God must exist.

In same line, psychologists have long held that belief in God was acquired by nurture. A senior researcher at the University of Oxford Centre for Anthropology and Mind, states: [if we threw a handful of children on an island and they raised themselves, they would believe in God]. In nutshell, each of us is born with an innate sense of belief in God and it develops naturally. Our minds and sense are designed to believe in God. Contrary, disbelieving in God is something which is unnatural to the human being.

2. THERE ARE NO ATHEISTS IN FOXHOLES
In the time of extreme stress or fear, all people seek help from higher power and search for hope. They moreover pray supplications to God and they invoke God to save them at that hard moment. It plainly means that people really affirms God‟s presence and believe in Him. This situation is described in one of God‟s Book (Holy Quran).

[Have you not seen that the ships sail across the sea by the grace of God, so that He shows you some of His signs? Indeed, there are signs for every man of patience and gratitude. (31), "And when a wave covers them like shades (i.e. like clouds or the mountains of sea-water), they invoke Allah, making their invocations for Him only. But when He brings them safe to land, there are among them those that stop in between (Belief and disbelief). But none denies Our Signs except every perfidious ingrate.(32)] Quran (31:31-32)

Let us take Pharaoh (the king of Egypt during Prophet Moses‟ time 14th BC century) as a real example of this circumstance. Pharaoh denied the existence of God publically. Pharaoh said to his people “I am your lord, I am the most high". But when Pharaoh was drowning in The Red Sea and about to die, he said "I believe in God‟s existence and none has the right to be worshipped except God).

[And We took the Children of Israel across the sea, and Fir„aun (Pharaoh) with his hosts followed them in oppression and enmity, till when drowning overtook him, he said, "I believe that none has the right to be worshipped but He (Allâh) in Whom the Children of Israel believe, and I am one of the Muslims (those who submit to Allâh‟s Will] Quran (10:90).

In short note, some people denying the existence of God outwardly, but inwardly they truly recognize the reality of God‟s existence and seek His refuge in severe stress.

3. CAUSALITY LAW
Before commencing, let us first define the causality law. The causality law is the relation between an event (the cause) and a second event (the effect), where the second event is understood as a physical consequence of the first. It is clear obvious that things do not come into existence from nothing without cause and everything which comes into existence is caused to exist by something else. In addition, nothing can cause itself to come into existence. Anything that causes itself to come into existence has to exist before it exists. Can a thing just pop into existence with absolutely no cause? This also does not seem reasonable and it is impossible.

Suppose there is a picture hanged in a wall and there is a 6-year old child. Then, this child asks “Where did this picture come from?” I reply “It just popped there and it came from nothing”. Would this child accept this assumption? Or it would be quite strange?

The point is that if we see a painting, we know there is a painter. When we look at a building we know there is a builder. So when we view creation, shouldn't we know there's a Creator? Why it makes different when it comes with God. The world, which is much more complex than a building, must also have been designed by a great Designer or Divine maker (God).

According to Cosmology the universe had a beginning some 14 billion years ago with a cosmic event commonly known as the 'Big Bang'. The Big Bang Theory states that the universe was in a very high density state and then expanded. After the initial expansion (sudden explosion), the universe cooled sufficiently to allow the formation of subatomic particles, and later simple atoms. Giant clouds of these primordial elements later coalesced through gravity to form stars and galaxies. It seems that The Big Bang Theory may explain the origin of the universe, but it does not have an explanation for the sudden explosion and it doesn't explain the origin of the primordial dust cloud and. So where did that come from? Who, or what, created the primordial dust cloud?

Imagine you heard a loud bang, and you asked 'where did that sound come from?' Would you be satisfied with the answer that „it came from nothing and it just happened?' Of course not. You would say 'what was the cause of that loud bang?' In the same way, rationally the 'Big Bang' must also have a cause (creator).

Now we can ask since the universe has a creator, who created that creator? Then we will ask, who created that creator? Then we will ask again, who created that creator? And so on and so on. But this can't go on forever and must end with an uncreated creator.

We can conclude that this creator must be powerful as it caused the whole universe into existence and it must be intelligent as it caused the 'laws of science' which govern the universe. Also, this creator must be timeless, spaceless and immaterial. Finally, since it is uncaused it must have always existed. All these attributes of the creator make up the basic concept of God. God is the uncreated first cause of the universe.

Let me recap this part with a real story of an Arabian man (7th Century) who denied the existence of God. This man was sent by his people to run a negotiation with the God‟s prophet (Mohammad) regarding some issues. The man arrived at the prophet‟s city during prayer time. The Prophet was praying and reciting some verse of the Holy Books (Quran) and this man was astonishingly listening to that verses.

The Prophet was reciting:
[Were they created from nothing? or were they the creators? (35) Or have they created the heavens and the earth? No, but they are sure of nothing (36)]. (Quran 52:35-36)

When this man heard these verses, he said (my heart is about to flutter, my heart is about to fly). Upon these verses, this man acknowledged the existence of God and realized that there is a God. Actually, there are three logical possibilities in these verses.

o Humans were created from nothing. This proposal violates basic reason which is something cannot come from nothing and nothing cannot create something.

o Humans created themselves. This is also an illogical and contradictory proposition. To create ones‟ self, one must already exist.

o Humans themselves created the heavens and the earth. This is far away from human capability and has no sense.

The only remaining possibility is that humans and the universe were created by a being which is not itself created (God).

THE AFFIRM THE EXISTENCE OF GOD 2013_110

4. PERFECT ORDER AND INTELLIGENT DESIGN
Ancient Greek philosopher like Plato argued from design that there must be a designer. Let us first talk about the order and design from science perspective. Atheists believe in a “scientific” analysis of every claim and theological principle. So let us employ the same science to verify the correctness of the Atheist philosophy. In science, there is a vital law called thermodynamics. Thermodynamic defines the fundamental physical quantities (temperature, energy, and entropy) and describes how these quantities behave under various circumstances. The entropy comes from a principle of thermodynamics dealing with energy. It usually refers to „the amount of disorder always increases with time and things progress naturally from order to disorder „. In other word, entropy states „without a control or super power in any process, this process proceeds into disorder and chaos‟.

If we leave kids‟ room without housekeeping and cleaning, the room becomes messy and untidy unless a housemaid takes actions. Similarly, if we leave any kitchen for one week, this kitchen turns into disorder and chaotic profile unless a housemaid takes actions. A hot cup of coffee will cools off with time.

The theories of the Big Bang and evolution propose the exact opposite which is resulted in perfection. The concept that the universe exploded and then developed in balanced perfection through random events and natural selection is against the well-known science law i.e. entropy. In addition, it is little diverse from the idea that, by dropping millions bombs in a desert, one of these bombs will generate a perfect Mercedes Benz car!

This universe is a huge complex mathematical equation and it indicates great complexity and perfect design. The life displays an amazingly complex level of interdependency which logically leads to the conclusion that it was planned in such intelligent way. Let us examine our giant surroundings, our solar system and the planet Earth are finely-tuned to allow life to exist. Everything kept in perfect balance so the universe hangs together and all living-creations can live in it!

When we reflect upon the nature of our world, we see order everywhere from the water cycle to the movement of the earth around the sun. Undoubtedly, it is more reasonable to conclude that the Big Bang and evolution were controlled events and no more validity to be the product of random chance. Plus, the Big Bang theory has no pure explanation for: why this universe is resulted in finely-tuned order to allow life to exist. Why this universe was not resulted in just a plain order regardless of it is suitable for life or not…!

Many examples showing perfect design, here are a few (these examples are cited from Mr.

Sue Bohlin‟s article):
o Our Earth, for instance, is perfectly designed for life. It's the "just right" size for the atmosphere we need. Its size and corresponding gravity hold a thin, but not too thin, layer of gases to protect us and allow us to breathe. If our planet were smaller it couldn't support an atmosphere, like on Mercury. If it were larger, like Jupiter, the atmosphere would contain free hydrogen, which is poison for us. Earth is the only planet we know of that contains an atmosphere that can support human, animal, and plant life. The Earth is also placed at a "just right" distance from the sun and the other planets in our solar system. If we were closer to the sun, we'd burn up. If we were farther away, we'd freeze. Because Earth's orbit is nearly circular, this slightly elliptical shape means that we enjoy a quite narrow range of temperatures, which is important to life. The speed of Earth's rotation on its axis, completing one turn every 24 hours, means that the sun warms the planet evenly. Compare our world to the moon, where there are incredible temperature variations because it lacks sufficient atmosphere or water to retain or deflect the sun's energy.

o Water itself is an important part of a "just right" world. Plants, animals and human beings are mostly made of water, and we need it to live. One of the things that makes Earth unique is the abundance of water in a liquid state. Water has surface tension. This means that water can move upward, against gravity, to bring liquid nutrients to the tops of the tallest plants. Everything else in the world freezes from the bottom up, but water freezes from the top down. Everything else contracts when it freezes, but water expands. This means that in winter, ponds and rivers and lakes can freeze at the surface, but allow fish and other marine creatures to live down below. The fact that we live on a "just right" planet in a "just right" universe is evidence that it all was created by a loving God.

Now when we see the order in the universe, isn't it rational to say that this universe has an organizer? When we look at the complexity of the universe; is it possible to say this happened by chance? So it would be rational to believe that this complex universe is a signature of the Creator. In another analogy, this ' Creator ' is best explained by the existence of God.

God is the perfect being. As He is most perfect, He must have all perfections. As He is perfect he must exist. God not only created our universe, but sustains it today.

God said in his Holy Book:
[Have We not made the earth as a bed (6), And the mountains as pegs (stakes)?(7), And We have created you in pairs (male and female, tall and short, good and bad, etc.) (8), And We have made your sleep as a rest (9), And We have made the night as a covering (through its darkness)(10), And We have made the day for seeking livelihood (11), And We have built above you seven strong skies(12), And We have made a shining lamp (sun) (13), And We have sent down from the rainy clouds abundant water(14), Thereby to produce grain and plant (15), And gardens thick with trees (16)] (Quran 78:6-16)

5. MORALITY VALUE
People through the history established laws and regulations which are designed to maintain social order, protect the rights, ensure availability of justice and punish people who commit crimes. However, the history has lots of pain, unfair and oppression. We obviously observed many cases where the oppressors and the oppressed ones, the sinners and the noble ones were not reckoned justly and fairly. Certain crimes and evils were not adequately punished in this world because the criminals somehow escaped or due to the corruption of judge. Lots of punishments and recognitions did not occur in this world. Countless of criminals were not fully punished and countless of trustworthy-people were not recognized fairly. Is it logic thinking that these criminals and sinners will be just buried forever in the cemetery without any accountability?

History shows that any form of not-realization the existence of the God resulted in the corruption and immorality of the people. The experience of history proves that denial of the reality of the God existence and denial of the second life is fatal to mankind. As a result, chaos, corruption and disorder in the society will be expected. If there is no second life, our ends will be same, in that we just pass out of existence, what meaning does that give our lives? If there is no God, there is no value for morality and our lives do not have any ultimate meaning and significance purpose. If there is no God, everything is permitted.” Indeed, everything is permissible if God does not exist.

The rationale approach is like this: this life is a test and the ultimate justice for punishments and rewards will be established by God in the next life (Hereafter). The full justice is that a complete record of all actions and deeds is maintained so that even what forgotten should not be missed. This belief will function as alarm bells, as warnings to anyone who is going to commit sin or mistake. It also encourages people to come to their senses and to change direction to better way. Believing in the existence of God reminds us that good and evil are the two pans of the balance in which our deeds will be weighed, and no moral corruption will go unpunished.

In brief, there is a God, All knowing, The Wise Being, The Fair Being, absolutely independent and far above any partiality. In the second life, everyone has to be reckoned according to the performance of his / her deeds in this world.

6. THE MIRACLES
God sent messengers to guide mankind to the straight path and spread God‟s message of compassion and mercy, as well as to call mankind to worship God alone. God‟s Prophets were supported with miracles to authenticate God‟s message and to confirm that this person (the messenger) was sent from God. Ultimately, miracles served to prove God‟s existence and oneness.

A miracle is defined as an extraordinary event that surpasses all known human or natural powers and is attributed to a supernatural cause (God). This miracle usually happened on the hands of the prophets.

For example:
 Prophet Jesus cured the blind and the leper, and gave life to the dead by the permission of God.

 Prophet Moses had a staff (stick) which was used to produce water from a rock, and this stick was transformed into a snake by the permission of God.

 Prophet Muhammad was given The Holy Quran as an everlasting miracle. The Holy Quran, which has been revealed in Arabic language, is a miracle of wisdom and it is a complete true revelation. It is a miracle of purity of style and unique pattern. Despite of the Arabs (the Prophet Muhammad‟s people) were proficiency in Arabic language eloquence, poetry and rhetoric, they were unable to come up with a single verse which is similar to a single verse in The Holy Quran. The Holy Quran is still preserved from perversion and remains unchallenged until the Day of Resurrection.

Such actions (miracles) clearly are attributed to a supernatural being, and they are signs attesting to the truth which is the existence of God and the validity of God‟s religion.
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Mohammed A. Al-Abdulhay is a petroleum engineer. He has several years of experience in dawah. He attended more than 20 dawah courses that have sharpened his dawah skills and promoted his communication art. He is a certified presenter of Islam (BCII), and he is a member of online dialogue to present Islam. He is also an active volunteer at Ahsa Islamic center especially dawah field activities as he delivered many speeches about Islam among non-Muslims. He is a facilitator of a new workshop titled „6-Bulb Technique for Dawah‟ which intends to motivate and inspire Muslims to invite non-Muslims to Islam nicely and wisely. The workshop has been delivered several times in Arabic and English.
: miswatch@hotmail.com
: +966503925046

IZHAR UL-HAQ

إجازة الأستاذ أحمد لبن مدير المنتدى بقراءة الإمام عاصم الكوفي

THE AFFIRM THE EXISTENCE OF GOD