Islamic Intellectual Theology Lesson 8 – Tawheed Remaining Proofs of Existence of God

1. Islamic Intellectual TheologyLesson 8 – TawheedRemaining Proofs of Existence of God Science and the Existence of God Source: ICIS - MILANI Edited: May 26, 2009 - BHD

2. Modern Method (MILANI) • Proof of intelligent designer or Organizer (AL-NAZAAM) - done • Contemplation in the Existence of the Universe • Descartes

3. The Age of the Universe • Jewish Ideology from their book: • few thousand years old • Kaab al-Ahbaar & Wahab ibn Munabah who were affected by the Jewish ideology: • 7000 yrs old. • The French Scientist (Beufon): • 7500 yrs old • Modern Science: based on studying the radioactive materials such as Uranium • Earth 3 billion yrs old • Life started on the earth 1800 million yrs ago • Big bang Theory 5 million years ago Conclusion: The universe and the earth has a beginning

4. Science & The Finite World • Science proves that the world is finite, such is based on the following studies: • Laws of thermodynamics: The heat transfers to only one irreversible direction from higher to lower temperature to reach the point of equilibrium. • Thus bodies fade after releasing the energy until it stops releasing the energy, opposing the opinion which says: “Matter (energy) does not annihilate (eternal) but changes from form to another. • The heat from the object is spreading all around and after reaching the point of equilibrium in the universe, therefore there will be a time where this heat will cease and reach to a point close to the absolute zero and that is the point where the life will cease = death.

5. 2. Laws of Geochemistry • The universe was created about 5 million years ago, which is based on accurate studies of measuring radiation released from various radio active materials • If the universe was infinite and not created, (i.e. existed without existence) then the radiation would have left such materials a long time age. But since there is still radiations released from such materials, then it means that the universe is created newly and was brought into existence and that means it is not infinite. • There are elements on the earth which are moving towards extinction. Some are slow and some are fast, if the universe was infinite then these materials would have been extinct long time ago. • Studies also indicate from measuring the age of the elements that the matter exited once suddenly and then it started to go under the natural laws.

6. 2. Method of Descartes • French Philosopher • Lived during the 16th century. • He removed himself from all prior beliefs, biases and conceptions. • He began his philosophy from zero. • His goal was not to believe in anything unless he was able to prove it himself. • He did not do this to say that everything around him is imagined. • His goal was to start by doubting (constitutional doubt) everything and with experimentation he would reach certitude.

7. Descartes First Step • The first step he took towards his journey was through realization: “I think, therefore I exist.” • From this point of certitude, he started to build the foundation of his philosophy. • Three proofs of God’s existence have been related to Descartes. • However, the most clear of the three is the following:

8. Descartes Proof • Is my existence independent, or is it dependent upon another being? • If my existence was independent and depending only on me, then all of the perfect attributes would have been part of me, and the doubt, hope and need would have never been come across me; in other words, I would have been a god. • But since I am unable to give myself perfection, it would be illogical and impossible for me to give myself its own existence. • Besides that, if I was able to give myself an existence then certainly I would have been able to maintain my existence and life eternally; however, I am unable to do so.

9. Descartes Concludes: • From this I conclude that my existence is dependent upon another existent, Who is God ( The Perfect Essential Existent); and since He is the independent , He alone possesses all the perfection in its actuality (because the ability to attain perfection and not to have it essentially in essence is imperfection). • My physical body can be related to my parents in its existence, but not the metaphysical soul which we I am trying to study. • Descartes proof resembles a proof given by Imam al-Sadiq (as) to an atheist (al-Tabarsi’s “al-Ihtijaaj”):

10. Imam al-Sadiq (as) • Man either created himself, or was created by a creator (other than himself). • The first possibility (him creating himself) is invalid, because (if not) then either he had created himself before he existed or after he existed • Based on the first possibility (he created himself before he existed): • He would have been some one who cannot give something which he does not possess it and that is obvious (that some one who does not posses a thing he can not give such thing)- [how could he give himself an existence where he lacks it].

11. The Second Possibility • The second possibility: (he created himself after he existed) • Creating something that already exists is acquiring something acquired which is impossible [and can not be done- because it already exists in the first place, which means that something had to create it in the first place]. • It is not said that :His parents created him. • Because: The chain of fathers and mothers [ancestors] will continue all the way to Adam and Eve, and they do NOT have parents! • And It is also not said: that was created by him self [ out of coincidence]. • Because we have proven that coincidence to be absurd.

12. We Conclude: • There in no other option except is to believe that, an All-Wise, All-Knowing, All-Capable created humans and every thing. • Note: Due to the brevity and shortness of the course we have left many examples and philosophical approaches, which will be studied further in philosophy inshaAllah • Next Lesson: the words of AHLUL BAYT (as) in the existence of Allah (swt)