SHEIKH JAFFER H. JAFFER MASUMEEN ISLAMIC CENTER WINTER 2015 Lessons in Tawheed and Adaalat

Tawheed First Question: Why is it necessary to study Religion?  First Reason: It is part of our Fitrah – Intrinsic nature of human beings to seek and become aware of Reality. (Some may call it curiosity)  Second Reason: Desire: (2 possibilities)  First: To protect oneself from possible difficulty and harm  Second: Desire for man to reach perfection  Third Reason: To thank the provider شكر المنعم Sheikh Jaffer

Tawheed Question: If it is part of our intrinsic nature to be inquisitive about religion, then why do people deny the existence of religion or the existence of God?  The intrinsic nature (Fitra’) which is inherent in man does not necessarily mean it is always active and alert  Understanding religious realities are vast, difficult and sometimes out of reach  Laziness, apathy or complacency Sheikh Jaffer

Tawheed Question: How can one prove the existence of God?  First: The simplest way is by awakening the intrinsic nature of man - فطري  Second: The simplest intellectual proof - برهان النظم – Proof based on organization/ system  When one ponders over the organization, connection and harmony between things: It proves to any pondering person the necessity for this organization to have an organizer. Sheikh Jaffer

Tawheed Question: How can one prove the existence of God?  Third: A Philosophical/Intellectual Poof - Proof of a Necessary Existent واجب الوجود  Necessary existent ( واجب الوجود ), i.e. an existent which does not need, require or depend upon any other existent for coming into being  Question: Why is it necessary for there to be an existent which does not require or depend upon any other existent for coming into being?  Because if every existent required another existent for it to come into being; each one of them in turn requiring a cause, no existent would ever come into being, because an infinite series (tasalsul) of causes is impossible. Sheikh Jaffer

Tawheed Third proof (in more detail):  In English Grammar, a sentence has two fundamental parts -subject and predicate  The establishment of a predicate for the subject can only have three states: It is either impossible ( ممتنع ) – ex: the number 3 is greater than the number 4 It is necessary ( واجب ) – ex: the number 2 is half of 4 It is neither impossible nor necessary ( ممكن )– ex: the sun is above our head  In philosophy only existence is discussed; Therefore those things which are impossible for being in existence ( ممتنع ) are ignored and not discussed Sheikh Jaffer

Tawheed Sheikh Jaffer Third proof (in more detail):  Necessary existence ( واجب ) is known as an existent, which exists in-itself and does not depend upon another existent.  Possible existence ( ممكن ) is known as an existent, which does not exist in-itself and depends on another existent in order for it to be realized.  Therefore, existence through intellectual perception can be conceptualized in three essential possibilities: 1) Every existent is a necessary existent. 2) Every existent is a possible existent. 3) Some existents are necessary existents and some are possible existents.

Tawheed Sheikh Jaffer Third proof (in more detail):  #1 is impossible  Because as we have understood from the definition of ‘necessary existent’: an existent which exists in-itself and does not depend upon another existent; for this statement to be true this would mean that all things in existence are independent and do not depend on anything else…  #2 is impossible  Because possible existences are those which do not exist in-itself and depends on another existent in order for it to be realized - In other words, they requires a cause ( علّة ) for their existence.

Tawheed Sheikh Jaffer Third proof (in more detail):  The impossibility of #2 – (Every existent is a possible existent) – can be proved through 2 means:  First: If all existents were possible existents, this would mean each one of them requires a cause of its existence This would lead to an infinite regression of causes ( التسلسل ) which is impossible!  Second: What if we said, A caused B and B caused C and C caused A This is known as a Vicious Circle ( الدور ) – which is also impossible – WHY? By disproving #1 and #2 – we are left with only #3 - Some existents are necessary existents and some are possible existents

Tawheed Sheikh Jaffer How to prove the Oneness of the Necessary Existent? (Let us suppose there are 2 Necessary Existents)  If there were 2 NE; we can only have a few possibilities of their Causal Prowess  First: Each existent is created by both the NE’s together.  Second: Some existents are created by one NE while others are created by the other NE  Third: One NE runs the show while the second NE agrees with everything

Tawheed Sheikh Jaffer First: Each existent is created by both the NE’s together. – What is the problem with this?  When each NE would give existence to the same existent; it would mean that each NE would provide an independent existence for that one existent i.e. they would have 2 existences  And since each existent only has one existence, this would negate the possibility of its existence coming from more than one necessary existent

Tawheed Sheikh Jaffer Second: Some existents are created by one NE while others are created by the other NE – What is the problem with this?  This means that each existent is in existence because of its particular NE, consequently it is fully dependent on their specific NE  Therefore, they are governed and ruled by their NE’s specific system and order. Which would mean that there are two different systems and orders in this world However we have established the clear harmony and organization in our world is is running in one harmonious and organized order

Tawheed Sheikh Jaffer After having proved the Oneness of the Necessary Existent; the task is now to prove the qualities and attributes of this existent  Why is this important?  So we can recognize the Creator distinctly from His Creation  Because it is not sufficient to merely know Him as the necessary existent, because some may conceive of energy or matter (like the big bang) as being the example for this necessary existent  By defining the NE ( واجب الوجود ) as an existent that does not require any cause for its existence and it is the primary cause for all PE; we have proved 2 of its attributes  Independent – not dependent on any other existent  First Cause of all possible existences

Tawheed Sheikh Jaffer Because the NE is Independent and not needy of any other existence NOR does it require a cause to continue its existence, we can confidently say it has always existed and will always exist – Therefore:  NE is without beginning, meaning that He never was preceded by nonexistence.  NE is without end, meaning that He will never be non- existent  These two attributes are called in Arabic سرمدي – everlasting or eternal

Tawheed Sheikh Jaffer Another essential part of the NE is that must be simple بسيط and non-compound غير مركب  i.e. not made up of physical parts or intellectual parts  Question: Why can’t the NE be made up of Physical Parts? Answer: Anything made up of physical parts is compound and is dependent upon those parts NE is independent of everything; therefore we can positively conclude then that NE cannot be a physical organism.  By nullifying any Physical or Tangible existence for the NE – we can then prove further qualities of the NE – What are they? NE cannot be limited to or subjected to time and space Therefore; what we have done so far is prove certain NEGATIVE QUALITIES الصفات السلبية which do not exist in the NE: Body - جسم ; Space – مكان ; Time – زمان

Tawheed Sheikh Jaffer Question: Why can’t the NE be made up of Intellectual Parts?  Answer: When we describe or define a physical existent; we can give an intellectual definition to it  Ex: Human beings = Talking Animal  Ex: Lion = Roaring Animal  Anything which can be given an intellectual definition, can thus be intellectually annihilated. – HOW?  By splitting up the definition

Tawheed Sheikh Jaffer So far we have proven the following Characteristics/ Attributes for the NE  NE must be Independent – i.e. not dependent on any other existent  NE is the First Cause of all possible existences  NE is without beginning, meaning that He never was preceded by nonexistence.  NE is without end, meaning that He will never be non-existent.  NE cannot be made up of any Physical or Intellectual parts  NE does not have Body - جسم ; Space – مكان ; Time – زمان

Tawheed Sheikh Jaffer Let us now look at some more distinguishing qualities of Allah SWT by discussing his Attributes  Books of Philosophy and Theology have categorized the attributes of God under two headings:  Attributes of Essence : الصفات الذاتية Those that describe Him directly  Attributes of Action: الصفات الفعلية Those that describe Him based on His relationships

Tawheed Sheikh Jaffer The most important Attributes of Essence : الصفات الذاتية are:  Life – الحياة ; Knowledge – العلم ; Power – القدرة  Proof: When these attributes are used for any creation, they refer to their (ontological) perfections. Therefore, the ultimate and perfect form of these perfections, without any limitations or deficiencies must also be found in the Cause that has bestowed that existence. WHY? It would be impossible for the giver of knowledge and power to not have knowledge and power Furthermore, It would be impossible for the giver of knowledge and power to lose anything from these attributes when it gives from them.

Tawheed Sheikh Jaffer Now let us look at the Attributes of Action: الصفات الفعلية  Points to Consider about these Attributes:  First: The relationship that exists between God and His creation does not have any boundaries or limits when looking at it from the perspective of Divine essence However from the creation to the Creator it is limited with time and space.  Second: The actualization and full understanding of an attribute of action returns back to the attribute of essence.

Tawheed Sheikh Jaffer First Attribute of Action: Creatorship - الخالقية  Proof: By definition, the NE is the primary cause of all other existences  Therefore, the concept of creatorship can automatically be applied to the necessary existent, and the concept of creation applied to the possible existents. Second Attribute of Action: Lordship – الربوبية  The creation from all its existential aspects needs and is fully dependent upon God the Supreme  This complete dependency necessitates the concept of Lordship maintenance and protection, giving life and causing death, providing guidance and sustenance, etc Third Attribute of Action: Divinity – الألوهية  What is meant by Divine is: One who is worshipped (Ma’bud)  The only One worthy of being worshipped is the creator whom we are entirely dependent upon

Tawheed Sheikh Jaffer Additional Attributes…  First: Divine Will – ارادة الله  Proof of its existence: SIMPLE PROOF  What does Will mean? First: Wishing or desiring Second: Deciding to perform an action  Will in the first understanding is equivalent to Loving Something In other words, we love perfection hence we desire and wish to reach perfection God loves perfection… And who is more perfect than Allah SWT? Therefore God loves his own essence. Hence the Divine Will means love of ontological perfections This would mean that this understanding of Will would be an attribute of essence; which would mean it is pre-existent – قديم and singular.  Will in the second understanding is: Without a doubt an attribute of action, which would mean it is temporal (originated) – حادث and multiple because of the numerous creations.

Tawheed Sheikh Jaffer From what we have discussed, we understand:  All things created have been created from the aspect of having goodness and perfection – WHY?  Because God is perfection and good (therefore only perfection and goodness emanates from Him)  He created them out of His own desire and not because He is forced into creating. – WHY?  Because He SWT is independent and not needy of anything  Furthermore, Since the actions of Allah SWT originate from His attributes of essence:  We can conclude All of His actions must have a purpose and benefit This type of Will (a purpose driven Will desiring to create that which is perfect and good) is called a: Wise Will – الارادة الحكيمة And because all His actions must be wise we can abstract another attribute Wise – الحكيم

Tawheed Sheikh Jaffer Another attribute that is ascribed to Allah SWT is His Speech – الكلام الالهيّ  By focusing on the definitions of the attributes of action and the attributes of essence, it becomes clear that speaking is an attribute of action. Why?  The concept of speech is abstracted from the relationship that exists between the speaker (God) and the addressed (creation) Whereby God intends to unveil His message to the addressed The addressed understands the purpose of the speaker through the means of listening to the sound, reading a text, or by understanding a concept in one’s mind. Since the Qur’an are the words and message of God intended for the addressed, there is no doubt that it is also created.

Tawheed Sheikh Jaffer God’s speech (with regards to Prophecies) must have the attribute of Truthfulness – الصدق  Proof for Truthfulness – Who can explain?  There is no doubt the speech of God is based upon Wisdom and Knowledge and eminates from the station of Lordship – الربوبية Therefore, what would be the benefit of speaking lies? Furthermore, if He was to speak lies and say things which are against reality (sun rising from the east for example),i.e. what we see and hold to be universal truths No one would believe in Him

Tawheed Sheikh Jaffer If we have clearly proven the existence of God, why then do people not believe and deviate away from that which is so clear?  Psychological reasons for deviation – العوامل النفسيّة  For an individual to believe, it requires the pain of research and investigation  The belief in God and Religion establishes a series of beliefs, which obligates responsibility upon man in all voluntary actions.  Sociological reasons for deviation - العوامل الاجتماعيّة  An example of a sociological issue in the name of religion is when certain actions are done by people who claim to be religious which paints a negative picture of religion.  Intellectual Reasons for deviation – العوامل الفكريّة  Intellectual deviations can occur through the doubts and confusions that appear in one’s mind, or through things that one hears.