Islamic Intellectual Theology Lesson 6 – Tawheed Remaining Proofs of Existence of God Sources : ELAHIYAAT (Arabic) of Sh. Ja’far Sobhani, Vol. 1 (Summary) Edited: May 24, BHD

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

Proof of Design: 4 Basics Principles 1. Acceptance of the existence of this world and the universe in reality in that it is not a matrix but a real world and the mind only reflects the images of such realities. 2. The nature on the universe is governed by the laws of nature (from physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics) and human achievements are due to knowing and applying such laws. 3. The entire universe and whatever systems and causes exist in it is governed by the concept of causality. 4. The affect does not indicate the cause only but it indicates the characteristics of the cause from its brilliance, intelligence, uniqueness, and other perfections and attributes. (Painting and Painter)

Examples  Pile of building material cannot by it self make a building. It requires a builder (maker required)  Pile of building material becomes a house by an intelligent builder and if it is destroyed by a flood it will not be a built house. (intellect – intention required)  If two people typing a book and one is knowledgeable and the other is ignorant, the results of both will be obviously different (maker must be knowledgeable, intelligent, and perfect - not every maker is perfect)  Conclusion: The effects of a cause do not just indicate that there is a cause for, but indicates how the cause came about. If the effect was not good like the book which was written by an ignorant person then it will indicate that such person wrote it, and if it was a marvelous universe then it indicates a marvelous maker.

Designer of the Computer’s Brain  I was told to design an electronic calculator which can solve complicated problems and equations  After using hundreds of tools, and electromechanical equipment, putting great efforts and baring difficulties over the for such a purpose I was able to make a small device (computer), which cannot exist by itself.  How could our universe filled with so many delicate equipments and is more complicated than the computer can exist without a wise designer and maker?  Many modern scientists used this method to prove the existence of God, which will be discussed further later.

2 nd Approach for Proof of Design (NAZM)  There is a connection or the interaction and the interrelation in the components of the universe.  The scientists proved that there is a connection and a link between the parts of the entire world, and they are strongly interrelated in a way that they affect each other.  Such indicates that there is an intelligent designer behind it.  Example: The plant needs the CO2 released by animals to make food (sugar), so that the animal can eat, and oxygen so that they can breath.  Who made this relationship and cycle between the animal and the plant kingdom.  An intelligent designer.

3 rd Approach: Purpose and Aim  The design of the world is in such a way that every parts of it serves a purpose and aim.  The aim and purpose eliminates the possibility of chance and coincidence.  The reproductive systems in the male and the female, both are different in a way that both serve its purpose  The purpose of the various functions of the womb = the whole process of the creation of the child from conception to the delivery.  The aim and the purpose in things indicate that there is brilliant designer behind it.

4 th Approach: Calculating the Probabilities  There are conditions for every and each natural phenomena such as conditions for water vapor from the sea, rain, body functions, enzymes and hormones, etc. All phenomena act on certain calculations, percentages, numbers, equations, and calculations which forms the conditions of its functions.  These can not be counted because they approach infinity for every component of the universe from movement of the components of every single atom to the components of every single galaxy which exceed millions of galaxies.  When calculating the probabilities of all such happening by chance, the conclusion will be that It is impossible that all these conditions and calculations act based on chance and coincidence (as explained previously)

Examples Eliminating Chance  The precise thinness of the atmosphere  The distance of the earth from the sun  The precise percentage of Oxygen (21%) The life on the earth requires certain factors such as mentioned above If the these factors are changed then a disturbance or destruction will happen in the life on Earth. Conclusion: How could the chance produce factors of life in such specific details and in a very intellectually organized fashion without an intellectual organizer? Why didn’t it repeat it after millions of years?

Soul doesn’t Bow to Scientific Measures  Until now the soul has not been subjected to scientific knowledge, and the questions are always surrounding this unknown creature within us. What exactly it is? How does it come to the body and depart? Is it from the matter or metaphysical?  The question is who causes this soul or this energy to enter the body and leave the body?  Another question is that how did the chance repeat in sending souls to the bodies, and why did chance not stop after the creation of the earth?  Can chance and coincidence do all these things, or can the nature do it without any intellect and awareness?

Problem Raised on Proof of NAZM or Designer:  This proof is based on considering a similarity between the natural things and man made things (building, computer)  The similarity between these two types is not sufficient, because the universe has been made naturally, unlike man made things which are a production of repeated past experiments and efforts. The ruling can not be taken from one to another and compared.

Response  This proof is not observing at the concept of experiment and similarity between the two types mentioned (universe vs. man made)  The whole proof is merely logical and based on the intellectual concept of causality.  The universe indicates that the primary or the final cause of it must be an intellectual wise creator (intelligent designer)  The contents of the universe is interrelated and interlinked in a way that it indicates an integrity in its components from the atom and cell to the human and the galaxies.  Such cannot be out of coincidence, and does not indicate a cause only but indicates an intelligent designer who is wise and intellectual creator.