Does God Exist?
Home » Articles » About God » Does God Exist?Nowadays we witness an intellectual and cultural vacuum drawing man away from believing in the existence of God. Hence many people are in a whirl and the question arises: Does God Exist? To answer this question objectively one should counter a very surging tension, as if the answer is affirmative one needs to answer a series of questions e.g. who is God? Is He masculine or feminine? etc. The most important question will be how to reach God.
Among fundamental intellectual topics, the existence of God enjoys a paramount importance. Some confirm and others deny. Undoubtedly, one of the major factors of the emergence of a phalanx of deniers of God is the intellectual prevention and domination of some followers of certain religions.
Since the earliest eras man has been strenuously endeavouring to
increase his knowledge about God. Efforts were exerted to gain
knowledge about the transcendent Patron of the universe, God the Unseen,
the belief of whom is, yet some disbelieve, an innate characteristic
of every man. It is an inward inclination that impels man to make
intellectual investigation and research to learn about God.
The essential nature of the resplendent sun, which is the most manifest
of all things, remained unknown to man for many centuries and its
movements and effects were subject to interpretations of all kinds. In
spite of the fact that none could deny the luminosity of its rays, the
minds of most men remained in total ignorance of its knowledge. God
sent his prophets to educate us about Him and to make us aware of the
subtle perception of our original nature and to make our Godly
inclinations flow in the proper course.
Man was in dire need of prophets to gain knowledge about God, since God is Unseen and there is non-like unto Him. God cannot be coloured with the brush of materiality and does not correspond to our experience and observation. Hence, by all means, God cannot be captured by imagination.
This does not mean depriving man of his right to think. On the contrary, the prophets came to assist man’s positive inclinations and instincts enabling them to grow and develop in the right direction through the proper channels. The application of our mental faculties could be curtailed by the blind obedience granted to some human beings. Islam exhorts people to think for themselves. Allah said: “And give glad tidings to My worshippers. Those who listen to the Words and follow the best thereof. Those are (the ones) whom Allah has guided and those are the people of understanding.”
The Qura’n, the Muslim Holy Scripture, urges man to seek knowledge about Allah through His universal signs – the earth, the heavens and all that exists. This method has recently been called “The Law of Walking and Looking.” In the Qur’an God frequently bids man to ponder over the universe. Allah said: “Say: “Behold all that is in the heavens and on earth” In another place Allah said: “Say (to them O Muhammad (peace be upon him)) “I exhort you to one (thing) only: that you stand up for Allah’s sake in pairs and singly, and reflect” Again Allah said: “Say: “Travel in the land and see how (Allah) originated creation, and then Allah will bring forth the creation of the Hereafter (i.e. resurrection after death). Verily, Allah is Able to do all things.”
In a wonderful example of the unique Islamic logical methodology, the Qur’an logically argues against a phalanx of deniers of resurrection. On the basis of a parallel they drew between man’s power and Allah’s, they denied resurrection. In return, the Qur’an replied with an irrefutable logical argument. Allah said: “Does not man see that We have created him from Nutfah (mixed male and female sexual discharge – semen drops). Yet behold he (stands forth) as an open opponent. And he puts forth for Us a parable, and forgets his own creation. He says: “Who will give life to these bones after they are rotted and have become dust?” Say: (O Muhammad (peace be upon him)) “He will give life to them Who created them for the first time! And He is the All-Knower of every creation!” He, Who produces for you fire out of the green tree, when behold you kindle therewith. Is not He Who created the heavens and the earth, Able to create the like of them? Yes, indeed! He is the All-Knowing Supreme Creator.”
At this point we should raise a series of logical questions:
First: Does the universe have a beginning? Yes, it does. Nothing can
attest to that more than the astronomical fact of the energy sources
that fuel the cosmos. Like all stars, the sun generates its energy
through a nuclear power known as thermonuclear fusion. The sun
compresses 564 million tons of hydrogen into 560 million tons of helium
with 4 million tons released as energy every second. The sun is not
unique in this nuclear process, but all other stars apply the same
process. In spite of the huge quantities of hydrogen the sun is
compressing it has only consumed 02%. This means that everything in this
universe has a commencement. It also means that at some point in the
future the sun will come to an end and that will terminate all types of
lives on the earth. If that is the case then the claim that matter or
energy is eternal is proved to be wrong.
Second: Has the universe been caused or is it self-existing? The universe cannot be self-existing. Had it been so, it would have meant that the universe would have emerged out of nothing. No matter, no force and no energy would have caused the universe. Logically it is seriously problematic to adopt this theory. This means the universe has been caused.
Third: Who or what caused the universe? On one hand some might argue
that it is the matter that caused the universe and the matter is
self-existing. But this is difficult to accept since it contradicts all
laws pertaining to conservation of matter or energy. All laws of
electric charge would be wrong.
The Quran’s answer is that the creator is God. God said: “Who hath
appointed the earth a resting-place for you, and the sky a canopy; and
causeth water to pour down from the sky, thereby producing fruits as
food for you. And do not set up rivals to Allah when ye know (better).”
Again Allah said: “He it is Who created for you all that is in the
earth. Then turned He to the heaven, and fashioned it as seven heavens.
And He is knower of all things.”
Fourth: Human beings are part of the universe. Who created them?
Julian Huxley said: We are as much a product of blind forces as is the
falling of a stone to earth or the ebb and flow of the tides. We have
just happened, and man was made of flesh by a long series of singularly
beneficial accidents. This argument has been rejected by modern
scientists e.g. Paul Davies, Fredrick Hoyle and others. According to
the anthropic principle, chance is not a valid mechanism to explain
atom or life.
If Earth were smaller, an atmosphere would be impossible, like the
planet Mercury. If Earth were larger, its atmosphere would contain free
hydrogen, like Jupiter. Earth is the only known planet equipped with an
atmosphere of the right mixture of gases to sustain plant, animal and
human life.
The Earth is located at the right distance from the sun. Consider the
temperature swings we encounter, roughly -30 degrees to +120 degrees. If
the Earth were any further away from the sun, we would freeze. If the
earth were any closer we would burn up. Even a fractional variance in
the Earth’s position to the sun would make life on Earth impossible. The
Earth keeps this perfect distance from the sun while it rotates around
the sun at a speed of nearly 67,000 mph and the sun travels through
space at roughly 150 miles per second. In addition, the earth rotates on
its axis, allowing the entire surface of the Earth to be properly
warmed and cooled every day. This rotation also enables the alternation
of day and night. Is this occurring by accident or is it well planned?
A book named “Earth” is considered a basic reference textbook on geology. One of the authors of this book is Frank Press, who was the president of the academy of science for 12 years and was the science advisor to former US president Jimmy Carter. In this book, he illustrates the mountain in a wedge-shape whose roots, which is bigger than the upper parts thereof, are deeply entrenched in the ground. According to Dr. Press, the mountains play ab important role in stabilizing the crust of the earth. The surface of the earth is broken into many rigid plates that are about 100 km in thickness. Mountain formation occurs at the boundaries of these plates. The Qur’an stresses that this is the plan and work of Allah. It reads: “And We have placed in the earth firm mountains lest it should quake with them.”
The moon has the perfect size and distance from the Earth for its gravitational pull. The moon creates important ocean tides and movement so ocean waters do not stagnate, and yet our massive oceans are restrained from spilling over across the continents. Is that not evidence of an Intelligent Designer.
Botany states that every plant has a male and female gender. Even plants that are unisexual have distinctive male and female elements. Fruit is the end product of reproduction of the superior plants. The stage preceding fruit is flower, which has male and female organs. Once pollen is carried to the flower, it carries fruit which in turn matures and frees seeds. Although some fruit might come from non-fertilized flowers, most fruits imply the existence of male and female organs. The Qur’an argues that this is the work and the plan of Allah. It reads: “And fruit of every kind he made in pairs, two and two”
According to Harun Yahya, the continuation of the human race in the
world is possible with the perfect working of the reproductive system.
The bodies of men and women are quite different from each other in the
functioning of their reproductive systems, but these are functionally
very different systems, yet perfectly complement each other with the
result that a new human being is born into the world. From basic
elements produced in two distinct human bodies, independently of each
other, one of the greatest wonders of the world occurs: the miracle of
human creation.
In order for the miracle of human creation to happen, the necessary
preparations actually begin many years earlier. First, male and female
reproductive cells must become functional. This comes about in every
human being through the process called puberty. The most important
element in this process is certainly the hormonal system, which
establishes communication among the cells under the direction of the
brain. Messages come to the brain, which then gives the appropriate
response; this is then delivered to the required area in the shortest
possible time. In this process the hormonal system is used to deliver
the information. It is a perfect postal route. Just as a postman follows
his route throughout the city, delivering letters to the right
addresses, so do hormones carry commands from the brain to the relevant
cells. In this way, the functions required for human life are activated
within the body. But these hormones are not human beings. They have
not been trained to do this job. How do they find their way in our very
complicated human body? Who made them function in this perfect way?
This can never happen by chance. How does it occur then? The Quran’s
answer to all these questions is: Allah said: “He it is Who fashioneth
you in the wombs as pleaseth Him. There is no God save Him, the
Almighty, the Wise.”
An immense army composed of 300 millions soldiers moving towards one
common target. To reach their destination, they encounter and obliterate
a number of hurdles. Their journey is extremely long. It is estimated
to be one hundred thousand times larger than their size. They do not
give up. The soldiers are the sperm. Each one is about one hundredth of a
millimetre in size. Their target is to reach the egg cell. Out of the
300 million sperm cells that set out on the road together, only the
strongest one thousand will succeed in reaching the egg. Out of these
only one single sperm will win the race and fertilise the egg. Who
guides these soldiers? Who equipped them? Islam has the answer. Allah
said: “It is He, Who has created you (Adam) from dust, then from a
Nutfah (mixed semen drops of male and female sexual discharge (i.e.
Adam’s offspring)) then from a clot (a piece of coagulated blood), then
brings you forth as an infant, then (makes you grow) to reach the age
of full strength, and afterwards to be old (men and women)- though some
among you die before,- and that you reach an appointed term in order
that you may understand.”
In 1983 the Czech anatomist Purkinje discovered fingerprints and
classified them into types. In 1858 William Herschel indicated to the
fact that fingerprints vary from one person to another. In 1892 Dr.
Francis Galton proved that, in spite of the physical changes that occur
due to various aging phases, fingerprints remain the same throughout
the entire person’s life. Galton confirmed that embryos in the womb
have fingerprints between the age of 100 and 120 days. Does this happen
by chance? Who made that?
Abu Hanifa had an argument with a number of deniers regarding God’s
existence. They agreed to have a public debate on particular time in
certain place. The deniers of God were there on time, whereas Abu Hanifa
was so late that they thought that he would not come. When arriving,
they inquired about his delay. He said: “When I was coming I saw
something very strange. It was so unusual that I had to spend some time
watching it.” The inquired: “What was it?” He replied: “I saw a big
boat carrying a huge quantity of a variety of goods. The boat had no
Captain, yet it arrived at the harbour safely. Containers of good flew
from the boat to the harbour.” The deniers of God said: “Abu Hanifa! You
are made. A boat has to be driven by a captain. Someone has to
transfer containers from the boat to the harbour.” He replied: “If this
is what you think, then what about the universe. Does it functions
without God? Did it come into existence without a Creator?
If this is the case, then who created the universe? It has to be
created by God. The complexity and accuracy of the universe confirm the
existence of a perfect designer and sustainer. Then God exists.
At this point it must be marked that all the created objects in this
universe ranging from the minute whirling electron to the mighty nebula
represent a vivid manifestation of the existence of God. God said: “We
shall show them Our portents on the horizons and within themselves
until it will be manifest unto them that it is the Truth.”
The Earth’s size and corresponding gravity holds a thin layer of mostly
nitrogen and oxygen gases, only extending about 50 miles above the
Earth’s surface.
Parent page: About God
