Islamic Intellectual Theology Lesson 7 – Tawheed Remaining Proofs of Existence of God Sources : ELAHIYAAT (Arabic) of Sh. Ja’far Sobhani, Vol. 1 (Summary) Edited: May 25, BHD

SOBHANI: Proof of Possibility (IMKAAN)  We have mentioned this briefly, that every thing is possible and it requires in its existence a primary cause which must be essential or necessary in his existence and not depending on something else. If not then it causes illogical circulation or illogical infinite chain (review).  Here Sh. SOBHANI adds another point of clarification besides the previous points, which is the concept of “something which lacks a thing cannot provide it”  (Example: Unclean water cannot clean, because it lacks the nature of being clean it self, or a poor person cannot provide wealth)  Possible things lacks the ability to exist by it self, therefore the primary or the first cause of existence must be existent by it self without any other cause leading in its existence to prevent the infinite chain.

Another Example of Absurd Chain  If Zaid standing is depending on Sameer standing, and the standing of Sameer is depending of the standing of Musa, and so on then the initial standing will never happen, as it requires some one who is standing and his standing is not dependent on any other person’s standing, otherwise the chain will never end.  It is impossible to assume endless causes for effects, therefore it has to end to a cause which is not an effect of a cause above it, as that is the only way a chain ends.  Therefore if a possibility depends in its existence on another possible thing then the existence will never happen, and since we exist then it must have started from a self existent or essential in its existent.  And if we consider the primary cause a possible (MOMKIN) and not essential (WAJIB), then we will be considering a possible effect without a cause for it and that will be absurd due to a break in the logical concept of causality, which is impossible.

Three Proofs of the Existence of God  Proof of intelligent designer (NAZAAM) - modern or scientific theory (4 approaches)  Proof of possibility (IMKAAN)  Proof of existence of the matter

Proof of Intelligent Designer (NAZAAM)  Modern theory From the notes of ICIS:  This proof is comprised of two premises: The world is a perfectly organized system. Every perfectly organized (designed) system is created by a capable organizer or designer. Therefore, the world is created by a capable organizer/intelligent designer. (Refer to the examples in the previous lesson)

How Does this Lead to God?  Chaos & Organization are two polar opposites.  Chaos is a product of coincidence, which cannot be a part in the creation, designing and organizing the universe and nature as it was disproved in our previous lesson.  Therefore the only option remains is to accept an organizer or a designer who is intelligent and wise, wise and who is capable to make such a perfect system.  That is Allah/God.

Why the Organizer is Not Nature?  Because upon observing with contemplation, either nature is the actual matter or it is a secondary product of such matter.  And if the matter of nature lacks awareness and intelligence, it can cease to exist or it can change, and it can be affected by different things, then it cannot be the cause of the designed organized world, as it lacks awareness.  Therefore that nature must mean God Who is the cause of the universe which is all powerful, aware, accurate, and capable of doing so.  Based on the second indication the disagreement is on semantics only, and what a religious person calls God is what they call nature.

Modern Method (MILANI) 1. Proof of intelligent designer or Organizer (AL-NIZAAMal) - done 2. Contemplation in the Existence of the Universe 3. Desecrate

Modern Method Existence of the Universe and Matter

Proof of the Matter’s Transience  The claim made was that matter which is the cause of the universe and the nature is self existent.  If the matter was self existent then it should not have changed, because change and renovation means that the new matter replaces the old one, i.e. the old one is eradicated. And self existent means that it does not change or losses any part of it, because loss is the characteristic of possible and not necessary in existence.  And since matter is transient and changeable, then it has a beginning and it has end, therefore it is considered possible in its existence and cannot be the primary cause of the existence of the universe. (SOBHANI)

2. Contemplation in the Existence of the Universe  Four probability in the existence of the universe (as per modern ideologists): 1. It is imaginary (matrix type) 2. It is caused without a cause 3. It is essential always existed without any beginning 4. It is caused by an uncaused cause Who is its creator who was always there and has no beginning, the Omnipotent, the Absolute

The Chances of the Options: 1. Imaginary universe: No  Because, it opposes the reality and the awareness of the existence can be realized by the self which is separate from the existence. 2. Caused without a cause (coincidence): NO This is impossible, disproven by examples on coincidence (previously). Further, using the science and mathematic coincidence does not give answers to the intellectual design organization in the world. 3. It is essential and it always existed without any beginning: NO Modern Science has proven that all existents are limited Started from nothing and are moving towards the direction of their end, (ex. The Sun or every star has a birth and has an end, the same goes for 102 elements found on earth) Studies show the world to be 5 billion years old.

4. The World has a Creator  If the previous three intellectual probabilities are invalid, then the only intellectual probability left is the fourth option:  The existence of the universe is caused by an uncaused cause Who is its creator who was always there and has no beginning, the Omnipotent, the absolute, the All- encompassing  The delicate laws of nature in mathematic, physics, chemistry and biology, and the calculations and equations governing the universe and its matter indicate that some one very highly intelligent has kept those laws and such cannot exist without an intellectual being.  That intelligent creator must be above these laws and its limitation because these laws are under His affect and can not be above Him.

Summary 1. The world is imaginary X 2. The world is a result of coincidence X 3. The world is infinite (always existed) X 4. The world was created by the limitless, All-Knowing, Almighty, Ever-existing Allah.