ISLAM AND ATHEISM FACE TO FACE
By: Dr. Haitham Tal’at
Questions and Answers
In the Name of Allah. All praise is due to Allah, and may Allah’s Praise, Peace and Blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family, companions and his allies.
This booklet is entitled: " Islam and Atheism face to face"
It offers an explanation of the meaning of atheism, its problematic aspects and how it contradicts unquestionable facts of reason and disposition,
and presents some pieces of evidence that prove the existence of the Creator, may He be exalted.
As a matter of fact, we know Allah Almighty through reason. Allah says: Were they created by nothing, or were they the creators [of themselves]? [Surat at-Tur: 35]
Using reason there can only be three possibilities (without a possibility of a fourth)
First: People are created without a creator (Were they created by nothing), which is impossible, for how can there be a creation without a creator?
Second: That people created themselves (or were they the creators [of themselves]?), and this is impossible as well, for how can one create himself before he was created?
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Thus, there only remains the third possibility, which the noble verse did not mention, given that it is self-evident, namely, there is a creator who created us.
So, we know about Allah through reason,
and through natural disposition as well.
We innately know that idols and nature are unable to create the universe or bring to life bacteria and humans into existence or adjust the functions of the human body in such a form, or efficiently bring into existence such a creation starting from atom to galaxy.
The idols that the disbelievers worship, and nature that atheists believe in both need a creator to create them.
They do not have control over their own affairs, neither can they regulate the hormones inside their body in such grear measure. They are unable to supply every living cell with a genetic code, which contains sets of millions of pieces of information. They cannot bring anything into existence, even themselves.
The creator of this world with all its wonders is a great creator who is All-Knowing, All-Powerful, and All-Wise, may He be Exalted.
This booklet further discusses the malicious allegations used by atheists, and their attempts to turn logical and natural proofs of the creator’s existence into fallaies.
The most famous of such attempts is their claim that the universe emerged by means of coincidence. This is due to their lack of understanding or ignoring the basic principles of probability. That is because coincidence has two essential conditions.
namely, time and place.
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Time is a condition for coincidence to bring forth its effects.
It also needs a material medium where it can produce its impact.
How could it be claimed that coincidence has a role in bringing the universe into existence, whereas the universe has emerged from where there was neither time nor place, and consequently the concept of coincidence can be ruled out.
Afterwards, the booklet presents some intellectual proofs on the necessity of religion, the meaning of religion and the necessity of submitting and surrendering to the Lord of the Worlds. In fact, submitting to Allah and surrendering to Him through obedience is the essence of the religion.
You show submission to Allah, and worship your Creator, Provider and the Bestower of all blessings, favor and guidance.
Worship is the right due to Allah upon His slaves, since He is the one who created us out of nothing, gave us life and provision, guided us and sent His messengers to us in order to test us as to who among us is best indeed. So, worship is the right due to Allah upon us. {[He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best indeed - and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving -} [Surat al-Mulk: 2]
Moving forward, the booklet will provide some proof for the validity of Islam, and highlight the fact that Allah accepts no religion other than Islam from mankind. Allah says: {Anyone who seeks a religion other than Islam, never will it be accepted from him; and in the Hereafter he will be among the losers.} [Surat ?l ‘Imrān: 85]
Islam is the religion with which that Allah sent all the prophets and messengers.
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Its main feature is that it includes the meaning of submitting to Allah and worshiping Him alone.
In addition, Islam is the most perfect law that urges submission to Allah,
and it is the only religion that calls to the oneness of Allah that was preached by all the prophets.
All prophets embraced the monotheistic belief, even though their laws were different.
Allah Almighty said: {We never sent before you [O Prophet] any messenger without revealing to him that none has the right to be worshiped except Me, so worship Me.} [25] [Surat Al-Anbiyā?’: 25]
There is no religion now on earth that still maintains this monotheistic belief except Islam, whereas all the followers of other religions have fallen into polytheism in variable degrees. After the demise of prophets who had left their people on the monotheistic belief, they eventually started to fall into polytheism. Nowadays, Islam is the only religion that retains the pure monotheistic belief which the prophets preached.
Then the booklet finally gives an account on how one becomes a Muslim, with an explanation of the meaning of Islam and mankind’s essential need to it.
In fact, Islam has answered all the existential questions that every human has in his mind, like: where we came from, why are we here in this world, and where are we going?
Islam answers all these questions in just one verse in the Noble Quran where Allah Almighty said: {Why should I not worship the One Who created me and to Whom you will all be brought back?} [Surat Yāsīn: 22]
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Where did I come from? Allah created me {the One Who created me}.
Where am I going to? I will go to Allah to be reckoned (judged) for my deeds. {and to Whom you will all be brought back?}
Why did I come to this world? To worship Allah and be tested.
Why do I worship Allah? It is natural to worship Allah who created me out of nothing, this is the nature of how the relationship between the slave and his Lord should be, i.e., to worship his Lord and his Creator. {Why should I not worship the One Who created me}
This is only one verse that answers all three questions, which confuse mankind. {Why should I not worship the One Who created me and to Whom you will all be brought back?} [Surat Yāsīn: 22]
Islam is Allah’s law to the world.
It means submission to Allah and surrendering to Him through worship; the slave should yield to his Creator and Guardian.
Allah Almighty said: {Whoever submits himself to Allah and does good, he has certainly grasped the firmest handhold.} [Surat Luqmān: 22]
Hence, Islam means servitude to Allah in all major and minor life affairs. Allah Almighty said: {Say, آ“indeed, my prayer, my sacrifice, my living and my dying are all for Allah, Lord of the worlds.} He has no partner. This is what I have been commanded, and I am the first to submit to Allah.آ” [Surat An’ām: 162-163]
My prayer, may sacrifice, my living and my dying are all for Allah, the Lord of the worlds. All what I do is for Allah. I pray to Allah, obey my parents for Allah, study and learn in order to benefit the people for the sake of Allah, sleep at night so that I wake up energetic enough to do what Allah commanded me to do.
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It is servitude to Allah in every deed, which is one of the most significant signs and manifestations of surrendering to Allah.
Nothing but Islam can satiate our hunger for knowledge about the things that concern us the most.
Whereas atheism provides inadequate knowledge for someone who knows only that he was born to die.
This booklet represents a brunch of knowledge and an intellectual discussion addressing the problematic aspects of atheism and displaying some proofs of the validity of Islam.
It is in a question-and-answer format,
so let us commence, with the blessing of Allah.
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1-What is the meaning of atheism?
Answer: Atheism is to reject belief in any unseen powers.
An atheist denies the existence of a Creator, prophethood and resurrection (after death).
2-What do you criticize atheism for?
Answer: Atheism requires a high level of faith that drastically exceeds religious faith.
Rather, it is a faith that is based upon delusional premises and erroneous imaginations, unlike religious faith that is based upon intuitive self- evident and unquestionable facts that we see with our own eyes, as well as intellectual axioms and legal proofs.
So, to be an atheist, you have to imagine the following: A-The universe was a product of a combination of nothingness which ended up to becoming a wonderful, marvelous universe that matches the most accurate measures and subtle limits. B-Coincidence produced the subtle limits and physical constants in which the universe was formed. This contradicts the fact that there are two conditions for coincidence to occur: place and time. But they claim that the universe emerged out of nowhere and no time, which negates the concept of coincidence. C-Randomness along with the primary environment of the earth produced life, bacteria and man, even though the human mind with its full might now is still unable to produce the simplest forms of life. D-All the ethical values, which we deem valid, mostly run counter to materialism, since genuine ethics represent a material burden and loss on the level of worldly interest; these are the given facts and the outcome of the material. You
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have to believe in all such intellectual impossibilities so that you start of as an atheist.
E-In atheism, there is no intellectual or material authority that prevents the annihilation of all humans on earth.
In fact, the material world does not acknowledge right and wrong,
then, it makes no difference to keep alive all humans on earth, or exterminate them, in the view of atheism,
which is also founded upon faith; however, without any remnant of knowledge, textual or intellect proof or ethics.
3-What is the proof of the existence of the Creator?
Answer: There are numerous proofs, yet we will present only two thereof:
1-The proof of bringing into existence.
2-The proof of providence and perfection.
3-What does the proof of bringing into existence mean?
Answer: It means that
everything that came into being after it had been nonexistent must have an entity that caused it to exist and come into being.
In this way, we have unlimited number of proofs of the existence of the Creator, Exalted be He.
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Every atom in the universe proves the creation since every created thing that came into being is in itself a proof of the Creator.
When you ponder over the existence, you find that it is temporal and liable to change; it is not permanent or eternal. Thus, it cannot be self-sufficient. This should make you decisively believe in your mind that it has a creator; so, as soon as you look into the universe, your mind goes to the one who brought it into existence.
For that reason, there are numerous verses in the Quran that draw our attention to the universe and the things that exist around us. Allah Almighty said: {Say, آ“look at what is in the heavens and earth.آ” But the signs and warnings are of no avail to those who do not believe.} [Surat Yإ«nus: 101]
Allah also said: {Do they not reflect on themselves? Allah did not create the heavens and earth and all that is between them except for a true purpose and for an appointed term, but most people deny the meeting with their Lord.} [Surat-ar-Rm: 8]
Allah also said: {Have they not observed the dominions of the heavens and earth and all that Allah has created} [Surah Al-A’rāf: 185]
Every created thing is a direct evidence on the creator.
5-What does the proof of providence and perfection mean?
Answer: It means:
Everything in the existence, starting from quarks - the smallest detected subatomic particle forming matter - up to galaxies, carries a degree of functional complexity.
In other words, it performs a specific and certain task.
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Every functional complexity in nature is a status that exceeds mere existence.
To explain, existence is a degree,
and the complexity in the existent thing is a degree that exceeds mere existence.
Everything around you is specifically designed to do a specific function.
This means that everything around you carries a functional complexity,
which is an evidence of creation and bringing things into existence.
So, there must be an originator who brought them into existence.
Example of this is the electric lamp; it represents functional complexity,
as it consists of:
1-Filament.
2-A lead wire that conducts the electricity to the filament.
3-Inert gas that protects the filament without interacting with it or with electricity.
4-Glass bulb that prevents the air to enter and the inert gas escaping the lamp or else the filament will burn.
5-Lamp base: it connects the lamp to the holder and forms a pathway for the electric current.
It is a system of complexity that cannot be simplified, and so it has an obvious intellectual connotation that denotes perfection of making.
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The one who negates the existence of the perfect creation of the electric lamp or claims that it came to being by mere coincidence is the one who has to present the proof for this claim!
The maker of the lamp knows well what electricity is, its pathways, the benefits of the lamp and the sensitivity of the filament. Therefore, the existence of the lamp directly indicates that it has a proficient maker, and that it did not appear randomly, simply because there are other lamps that look completely different.
Using the same intellectual inference, we find that something that is functionally complex like a human being must have an originator that created him.
Whereas the electric lamp consists of five components,
a human being consists of four billion components in every cell of his body.
Four billion components make up the functions of the organism, which are called: the genetic code, the genome, or DNA, and are located in the nucleus of each of your cells.
So, if you are to believe that the five components forming the electric lamp have a creator while you do not have a creator, then this would be problematic for yourself.
{Were they created by none, or were they the creators [of themselves]?} [Surah At-Tur: 35]
There is complexity in everything around you. There is nothing in nature; even in the atom, orbits, or in your own body, but it has some kind of functional complexity.
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That functional complexity of every atom and particle exist in everything in the universe.
Allah Almighty said: {Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and earth; the alternation of the night and day; the sailing of the ships in the sea for the benefit of people; the sending down of rain from the sky by Allah, reviving thereby the earth after its death; the spreading of all kinds of creatures therein; the directing of the winds and clouds between the sky and earth in all these, there are signs for people of understanding.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 164] There are a lot of verses in this regard.
however, only those who apply their reason do take heed. {None will take heed except people of understanding.} [Surat al Imrān: 7]
When one employs his mind and looks into the existence (the evidence of bringing into existence) and contemplates the accuracy and functions of the created beings (evidence of providence and perfection) will certainly acknowledge the existence of the creator through reason.
6-Why could it not be that man and other organisms are generated from extremely simple and primitive one-celled beings?
There are two problems here:
The first problem: There is not a single piece of evidence that proves the transformation of one type of organism into another type, let alone such a shocking presumptive leap that man is originated from primitive one-celled beings.
So, how can an atheist believe in such an assumption which lacks any type of direct proof, and blame us for using religious intellectual inference?
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Second problem: According to the Minimum Gene Set Concept, it is not possible for any organism, no matter how simple it is, to be below two hundred genes.
The minimum set of genes is the least number of genes by which an organism can live.
That is, if this minimum set misses only one gene, then the organism would not be able to live.
A gene is a tape of information that contains a large number of genetic codes that encrypt information.
There is a minimum number of genes that are essential for an organism to live: some genes are encrypted for energy - actually an organism cannot live without energy - while other genes are encrypted for nutrition, others for reproduction, others for the basic functions of life, and so on.
Scientists have calculated the minimum number of genes that are essential for life and decided that they cannot be less than two hundred.
Craig Venter Institute concluded that the minimum number of genes cannot be less than three hundred and eighty-two genes. 1
Scientists found out that Mycoplasma, which is the tiniest organism on earth, has 468 genes.
If the whole issue is about matter, and the world is just a physical system, then we need to start from the zero gene, if we want to go from hydrogen to man!
1 J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) conducted a study to find all the essential genes of M. genitalium through global transposon mutagenesis. As a result they found that 382 out of 482 protein coding genes were essential.
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However, science tells us that there is nothing called the zero gene, one gene, or even a hundred genes. Rather, science says: We need a gigantic set of information at minimum range, otherwise the living organism would not have appeared in the first place.
In nature, there is nothing primitive, but every system began with independent glamour!
The glamour in the information system, which encrypts the beings before they appear, will always remain a stumbling block in facing atheism, and for those who deny the divine creation!
You have four billion specialized pieces of information - the information within the nucleus of each one of your cells - to produce accurate biological functions.
The atheist used to spectulate that there were living beings that started from the zero gene, but the theory of minimal genes came and eliminated this fantasy.
In fact, organisms appeared functionally complex from the very first moment, otherwise, they would not have appeared in the first place.
7-What are some examples on the proof of providence and perfection?
Answer: The examples are countless,
and too many to be collected.
{If all the trees on earth were pens and the ocean [were ink], replenished by seven more oceans, the Words of Allah would not be exhausted. Indeed, Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.} [Surat Luqmān: 27]
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Every atom in the universe is an indication of the divine providence, a fact that we are going to know either today or tomorrow.
A-Insulin - the glucose-digesting hormone - is secreted by the pancreas with the same amount according to your intake of sugar.
B-The heart's pumping force of blood is equivalent to the energy needed by the muscles in accordance with the exerted effort.
C-There are valves in your stomach preventing food from going back to your mouth that would harm you.
D-Excretion valves so that your clothes do not get soiled at every moment.
E-The bones of your skull do not fuse until you come out of your mother’s womb easily, because if they were fused, they would not come out of your mother’s womb until they were broken. Also, these bones are not fully grown until your brain is fully grown.
F-All axons of your nerves that transmit electrical signals are coated with an insulating layer - as we do now with electrical wires - so that the electrical signal does not stray, be lost, or cause disturbance to you.
G-The electron revolves around the nucleus at a speed of one thousand kilometers per second, otherwise it would fall inside the nucleus due to the force of attraction with the positive nucleus, and the universe would have collapsed before it began, and it is the ideal speed for the formation of the atom.
H-When two hydrogen atoms fuse, 0.007% of the mass of hydrogen is converted into energy, and if the mass were 0.006% instead of 0.007%, the proton would not fuse with the neutron, and the whole universe would only remain as hydrogen, and the rest of the elements would not
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appear. If the converted mass into energy was 0.008% instead of 0.007%, the coalescence would be too fast, which would lead to the immediate disappearance of hydrogen from the universe, making life impossible. Thus, the number must be between 0.006% and 0.008%.
I-The electron mass represents 0.2% of the neutron mass, and this is the standard mass for the formation of an atom.
J-After germination, the sprouts head directly toward the light source and the roots go downwards, where the sprouts are extremely sensitive to light, and all the information they need to do their job is encoded inside the seed. There are hormones that control the upper and lateral growth of the plant and towards the roots. All these hormones are also encoded inside the seed.
K-As you eat a delicious piece of fruit, and then throw the dry and tasteless seed away, you are allowing that fruit to pass on its genes. Such fruit gives you a delicious taste, while hiding its genes - the origin of its life - inside the dry, smooth seed that does not appeal to you. Once you throw this seed onto the earth, and after the suitable conditions are available, it begins to form a fruit tree with its branches, twigs and roots. All this happens in plants that have no perception of anything.
L-Who set the information for that inarticulate, deaf fruit and adjusted the amount of sugar in it so that it becomes appealing to you?
Who made the seed unacceptable and unpalatable, so that you would have no interest in it and throw it away?
Who loaded the seed with enough genetic information to create a new plant with all its details and functions?
M-We recently came to realize that: the inertia in whose bliss we live in is the product of the mass of the universe as a whole.
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What does inertia mean?
What happens when to you when you are riding in a car, and it suddenly stops?
You are pushed forward! Is not that true?
This is what inertia means.
If the inertia of our world were less than it is now, the simplest breeze of air could move rocks, and in a world like this, we would constantly be smashed by all kinds of things!
On the other hand, if it were greater than it is now, we would be unable to move even our fingers. 2
The inertial force depends on the mass.
The thing that surprised physicists is that the mass of the Milky Way, the galaxy that contains our solar system, participates in controlling the inertia by only 0.1 million, while the mass of the Earth controls the inertia only by 0.001 million.
Thus, the ideal inertia upon whose good consequences we live, and through which we practice all our activities is the product of the total energy of the universe as a whole.
{We have not created the heavens and earth and all that is between them in vain. That is the assumption of those who disbelieve. So woe to the disbelievers from the Fire!} [Surat Sad: 27]
2 Nature's Destiny: How the Laws of Biology Reveal Purpose in the Universe, Michael Denton.
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The more science expands, the more wonders of wisdom and the subtleties of creation appear! 3
N-Then let us move to the eye,
that priceless blessing.{Have We not given him two eyes,}[Surat al-Balad:8]
The eye’s resolution is equivalent to five hundred and seventy-six mega-pixels.
The eye has the purest lens in the world.
The size of the photo receptor in the retina does not exceed half a square millimeter, and it distinguishes between ten million color shades of different dimensions. It is indeed a miraculous and dazzling divine creation.
When you look at something in front of you, and the light falls on the retina, at that very moment several complex chemical processes take place and eventually generate an electric current. This current is transmitted from the retina of your eye to your brain through nerve wires. The brain here interprets the frequency of this electric current as eyesight, as if the brain has an integrated pre-set dictionary that converts the electric current that has reached it into the act of seeing what is in front of you.
That is amazing if you just think about it!
Imagine; this brain dwells inside a dark box of bones, which is the skull.
Nothing reaches it except electric currents.
3 This issue was discussed in detail by Michael Danton in his book: The Fate of Nature, a translated version of it is issued by Dār Alkatib Publications
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So, how can the brain interpret such currents as seeing?
How does it give you the ability to see?
This miracle happens once you open your eyes and see!
The same goes for hearing:
As sound waves enter your eardrum, it converts them from waves into a mechanical movement. This mechanical movement is then transmitted through three tiny bones in the middle ear to the inner ear, which converts it into an electrical current.
This electric current is transmitted at this point from the inner ear to the brain, which starts to define this electric current as sounds, so you hear the sound.
All this take place in less than a split second {Allah brought you out from your mothers’ wombs not knowing anything, and He gave you hearing, sight and intellect, so that you may be grateful.} [Surat an-Nahl: 78]
Try to imagine that, at every moment, the thousands of electrical signals that reach the brain from the eye, ear, touching, tasting, smelling and other different parts of the body to distinguish between all these signals in an astounding accuracy. {This is Allah’s creation. So show Me what others beside Him have created. In fact, the wrongdoers are clearly misguided.} [Surat Luqmān: 11]
{such is the design of Allah, who has perfected everything. Indeed, He is All-Aware of what you do.} [Surat an-Naml: 88]
Who is that who can fully perceive even only one blessing out of Allah’s blessings?
Ponder on every joint and bone in your body that allow you to move exactly as needed.
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Think of the smooth joints that allow you to move without friction between the bones or erosion, Allah has deposited in these joints a liquid like lubricant that is placed in the joints of machines!
Think of the blessings of Allah with contemplation and be thankful to Him for them.
Allah’s blessings are countless! {Do you not see that Allah has made subservient to you all that is in the heavens and on earth, and has abundantly bestowed upon you His favors, both apparent and hidden? Yet there are some people who dispute concerning Allah without knowledge, or guidance, or an enlightening scripture.} [Surat Luqmān: 20]
8-Some atheists criticize the evidence of providence, claiming that there are some imperfections like diseases and earthquakes.
Answer: The absence of perfect things in the universe, in the words of an atheist, does not negate the existence of perfection.
By saying this, however, he actually confirms that there is perfection in the universe.
If there were no perfection in the first place, a theist would not be able to realize the existence of imperfection.
How could one speak of a defect in a design, in a world that lacks design?
As for what they describe as imperfect, this is indeed lack of knowledge or failure to perceive the wisdom of things.
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The believers do not claim that the universe is too perfect to have disastrous events, but they say that the universe is perfectly created, so that nothing occurs in it without a purpose.
The attitude of an atheist is similar to those who deny mastery of the spacecraft because there is a huge amount of petroleum elements in it, which may cause the vehicle to explode at any moment! 4
The world was not designed to be everlasting or eternal, neither were we designed to be gods.
We are designed to be tested with good and evil. {We test you with bad and good as a trial, then to Us you will all be returned.} [Surat Al-Anbiyā : 35]
Good, evil and all trials revolve within the framework of wisdom and divine will.
9- What prevents the existence of a material cause that created the universe, such as another civilization or something else? Why does there have to be an eternal God specifically?
Answer: There is a rule established by Islamic scholars more than a thousand years ago, this rule says that: The sequence of the actors necessarily leads to the non-occurrence of actions. 5
4 Zhhirat Naqd Ad-Dn Fi Al-Falsafah Al-Hadthah. Dr. Sultan Al-‘Umari. Ph.D. thesis.
5 Zh?hirat Naqd Ad-D?n Fi Al-Falsafah Al-Had?thah. Dr. Sultan Al-‘Umari. Ph.D. thesis.
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The sequence of actors means that there are more than one creator. The question in hand mentions 'another civilization' that is preceded by a civilization that produced it, and a civilization that preceded and produced both of them, etc. This represents sequence in creators,
which is necessarily conducive to the non-occurrence of actions,
i.e., the non-emergence of created beings like the universe, man and others.
The sequence of actors results in the non-emergence of the universe and the existence.
If a civilization depends on the existence of another civilization to have created it, and the other civilization depends on another civilization that preceded it and created it, and so on to infinity, then neither this civilization nor the one that precedes it nor the one that precedes them both will appear, and neither existence nor anything will appear.
Because if every civilization depends on a civilization that preceded it, and so on; there would therefore appear no civilization and nothing would ever come into existence.
So, there must be a first eternal Creator who created everything!
If there is an infinite sequence and every link in the chain depends on the one before it, then there would be no creatures, no creation, no beings, because the agent would depend on an agent that precedes it, and then its predecessor would depend on a previous one, and so on; therefore, there would be nothing.
So, then sequence must stop at some point.
Here, we become certain about the first creator who is not preceded by anything else!
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10-We know about the laws that govern the universe, and know well about the cause of earthquakes, so why do we need a creator, as long as we know the laws?
Answer: An atheist assumes that laws are sufficient to create the universe and cause it to appear. Some atheists have relied on the idea of ??the law of gravity and that it is sufficient for the emergence of the universe, regardless of the collapse of this claim by just thinking about the source of the law of gravity, or who codified it or who gave it the property of interference and showing the effect,
regardless of these self-evident intuitions, the law of gravity does not cause the billiard ball to roll!
Law alone is unable to cause anything without the appearance of that thing.
The law of gravity cannot produce a billiard ball, it just causes it to move if it appears and gets hit by a billiard stick.
In fact, the law of gravity is not independent, but it is a description to a natural occurrence.
Moreover, the law of gravity will not move the billiard ball without a force pressing on the billiard stick and moving it. Only at this moment, the billiard ball moves and the effect of the law of gravity appears.
Nonetheless, an atheist assumes that the law of gravity is sufficient to create a billiard ball, billiard stick and roll the ball!
Which one is closer to good reason and logic regarding the cause of the appearance of the universe: the Creator or the law?
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Similarly, the internal combustion laws of a car engine cannot create a car engine
If we add the laws of internal combustion to the car engine, it will not work either. There must be petrol, which gives energy, and there must be a spark for combustion, and before that there must be an engine, and only then the laws of internal combustion appear and the engine works!
It is not reasonable to assume that the laws of internal combustion are sufficient to create the engine, the spark of combustion, petrol, the driver and the road.
In fact, the idea that a law is sufficient to explain the emergence of the universe is an idea that is completely alien to reason.
In addition, if we suppose the idea, that it will lead us to the sequence of actors that we explained in the answer to the previous question, for who created this law and who brought it into existence? If they claim that it is another law, we will get into the sequence of actors that entails the non-emergence of any law or any beings.
11- Why can't a coincidence be the source of the universe?
Answer: Adopting the idea of coincidence is ignorance of the fundamentals of possibilities, given the fact that coincidence has two indispensable conditions,
namely: time and place.
Coincidence stipulates a time where it makes its effect,
and stipulates the existence of a material place where it produces its influence.
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Then, how can we say that coincidence played a role in creating the universe, even though our universe came out of no time and no place?
How can the effect of coincidence appear without the appearance of the coincidence itself?
How can coincidence provide an effect before its own existence or the existence of time and place that are the two essential conditions for coincidence?
12-How can we answer an atheist who claims that the universe is eternal (has no beginning)?
Answer: According to the Second Law of Thermodynamic: it is impossible that the universe is eternal.
Here is an example to simplify this law: If you have a cup of hot water in the room, heat is transferred from the hot water to the room until the room’s temperature equals the temperature of the cup. This is the second law of thermodynamics, where energy flows from high levels to low levels over time.
This law takes place in everything in the universe at every moment since the emergence of the universe, until the temperature of everything in the universe becomes equal, and when this happens, what is known as the thermal death of the universe will occur. If the universe were eternal, it would have been suspended now - thermally dead -; however, the universe is now actually in a state less than maximum entropy and has not yet reached thermal death. Thus, it is not eternal, rather, it has a fixed beginning during which time and space had appeared.
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It has been proven according to the same law that the universe began at a minimum of entropy, which means that its occurrence was without a precedent example - it was created out of nothing -.
This is a scientific law on one side, whereas atheism is completely on the other side.
13-Why does the law of causality not apply to the Creator? Or in other words: Who created the Creator?
Answer: First: The laws of the created beings do not apply to the Creator; this is a self-evident fact.
otherwise, we could also say: Who cooked the cook?
Who painted the painter?
It is self-evident that the Creator is the one who brought time and place into existence. So, it is inconceivable to say that the laws He created out of nothing should apply to Him, Glory be to Him!
Second: It is true that every created being should have a creator; however, in the case of the Creator: {There is nothing like unto Him} [Surat Ash-Shūra: 11]
Third: The Creator is not created, rather, He is eternal. So, how can we ask: who created Him?
The Creator must be eternal and necessary to exist. Otherwise, we would get into the problem of 'the sequence of the actors' that necessarily leads to the non-occurrence of actions.” As we just explained in detail. So, the Creator must be necessarily existent and eternal, Glory be to Him.
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14-The Universe is huge. How can we, with our small size, be a center in this gigantic universe?
Answer: The atheist makes a pointless assumption, saying: Since the universe is huge, then man is not a center in this universe!
This assumption is based on the premise: Since the farms are vast and its owner is too small comparing to them, then: He is not their owner!
In fact, it has nothing to do with the size at all.
Morals that have no material size are the greatest criterion for considering people as the most noble or the most despicable people.
In fact, people are weighed according to their morals.
therefore, the issue of size is not a criterion!
Let us give this example: If there is a king who made some laws and gave advice to his son and wrote a book to him regarding that. Would it be possible that someone may object and say: How can a king who owns millions of vast and countless acres of lands take care of his son whose size and weight is even less than one part out of a million of what this king owns of land and acres?
And for Allah is the highest example.
Can such an objection be reasonable in the first place?
It is not a matter of weight or size.
Furthermore, was not this universe generated out of a point smaller than the tip of a pin by billions of times , as all physicists in the world acknowledge?
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Hence, size is relative.
Furthermore, what would bother an atheist that Allah creates whatever He wills in the way He wills?
Does God lack resources so that He should spend thriftily?
Exalted is He above that!
However, is it true that we really represent a center in this universe?
Yes, human is the center of this universe, as per divine assignment.
This divine assignment is religion.
Religion is the trust that man bears, which is the greatest test one has to go through.
You are required to be a servant of Allah Almighty, whereby you are a center in this universe, not for your size, power, or capabilities, but by divine assignment.
You are capable of doing what is good and giving up what is evil, you are capable of being a believer or a disbeliever.
We all know that we are charged with religious assignments, willingly or unwillingly!
Everyone knows including an atheist, believer, agnostic, and everyone that he is under religious assignment. He perceives this divine assignment and suffers the tingling of a moral conscience. He knows that there is something within himself telling him: Do such-and-such, and do not do such-and-such. Do good and do not do evil.” Every one of us knows from the reality of himself that he is required to comply!
We are at the center of this universe by religious assignment.
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Also, we are at the center of this universe perceptually and cognitively. We perceive, realize, understand and know the reality of our existence, and the reality of the universe around us, and grasp the meaning of our existence well.
We are the ones who are liable for duties, responsibilities, assignments and reckoning.
We are the a that is aware of the splendor of careful formulation. We are a being that is aware of the laws of perfection, and we are a being that is able to carry out their assignments or to reject to do so. We are fully capable of choosing, and we are capable of being believers or disbelievers.
We are at the center of this universe. {Indeed, we offered the Trust to the heavens, the earth, and the mountains, yet they refused to bear it and were afraid of it. But man assumed it; he is indeed wrongful and ignorant.} [Surat Al Ahzāb: 72]
15-Some atheists say: There are so many planets; so, based on the theory of possibilities, it would be correct to assume that one of these planets would be suitable for life...Would this be a valid inference?
Answer: What is the relation between the existence of many planets and discrediting perfection as proof ?
It is not a matter of raw materials.
Being in a forest full of all vegetables and fruits and animals does not mean that, there must suddenly appear before me in the middle of the forest, a dish of delicious, cooked food; The issue is not about the raw materials!
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Likewise, the existence of sand in the deserts of the world does not mean that I can find digital processors and electronic chips that are made of sand all around me in the desert!
The case is not raw materials; rather, it is a case of creation and perfection (Know how).
The mere existence of a group of planets is not sufficient to have among them a planet that is so perfectly created like the Earth.
It is a case of perfection, creation, and making. {such is the design of Allah, who has perfected everything.} [Surat an-Naml: 88]
The presence of many other planets does not at all justify that there is life on Earth.
Neither does it justify the existence of the genetic code inside of you, consisting of four billion letters that impressively controls all your functions, organs and hormones, even before you came into existence!
Life is information, not matter
If I and an atheist would ascend to a planet and discover a complex device that works with impressive precision, even if we cannot yet, understand its function, can the maker of this device be denied just because of the huge size of the planet we are on?
Mental intuition prompts me and the atheist, when we see this device, to admit the existence of the Capable Creator.
The one who denies this logical intuition, who denies the existence of the Creator is actually the one who is required to present the evidence, not the one who affirms His existence!
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The atheist in this dazzling elegant universe is the one who is required to provide the evidence, not the believer!
The agnostic atheist Carl Sagan once wrote a novel called "Contact", in which he recounts how the scientists are looking for extraterrestrial intelligence.
In this fictional novel, scientists discovered a long series of prime numbers coming from outer space. Since this initial sequence implies a specific mathematical value, a value that indicates a kind of precision, this was enough mental evidence to conclude that this message was coming from another civilization trying to communicate with us!
What is funny is that Carl Sagan is a famous Agnostic himself, yet his mind accepts the fact that the complexity and organization of a small message is proof of creation and perfection!
A mere series of prime numbers would definitely prove the presence of a giant civilization; so how do you ascribe the four billion letters inside each cell of your body, of which if one letter were missing, a catastrophe would occur, how do you ascribe all this perfection to the illogical atheistic oddities?
It is not reasonable to resort to quirks (oddities) in order to prevent the interpretation of the phenomenon in its framework as an indication of the existence of the Creator {Say, “look at what is in the heavens and earth.” But the signs and warnings are of no avail to those who do not believe.} [Surat Yūnus: 101]
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16-Why can't there be more than one uncreated Creator?
Allah Almighty said: {If there had been gods besides Allah in the heavens and earth, both realms would have fallen in disorder.} [Surat al-Anbiyā: 22]
The existence of a god along with Allah entails multiplicity, and multiplicity entails insufficiency.
Insufficiency of the Creator, Exalted be He above that, necessitates the insecurity and vulnerability of the universe, it even entails corruption of the universe.
There is no guarantee that the universe will survive with a deficient God!
{If there had been gods besides Allah in the heavens and earth, both realms would have fallen in disorder. Glory be to Allah Lord of the Throne far above what they ascribe [to Him]} [Surat al-Anbiyā: 22]
Exalted is the Creator above need and insufficiency. He is the Self-Sufficient, the Sustainer of everything.
Adding to what was aforementioned: If there were two or more gods in the heavens and earth, then the possibility of conflict would be closer to reason than being in harmony, because multiple gods would mean a multitude of wills and the multiplicity of wills would cause the insufficiency of each one of them, which would then entail the corruption of the heavens and earth.
Man’s natural disposition definitely affirms that Allah is one. Were a physicist or otherwise, to look into this universe, they would only perceive that it has one creator, for this is a natural disposition.
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Why religion?
Answer: Even the staunchest atheist would believe that being truthful is better than lying, correct?
He would believe that honesty is better than dishonesty, right?
These are terms that are irrelevant to this world, and there is nothing in the material world that justifies their meaning or implication.
What is the meaning of truthfulness?
What is the meaning of honesty?
If we conduct a deep analysis of the atom, will we detect some meanings like truthfulness and lying?
If we observe the physics of galaxies or the chemistry of hormones, will we observe: honesty or dishonesty/betrayal?
Such terms do not belong to this material world.
However, they are real terms,
and are from the most significant matters.
In fact, the value of a human is based on his morals, not his physical size, the number of his atoms, or the energy level of his cells.
His value is measured by his inner commitment to the divine assignments.
Nothing of the material world shares this value with human.
There could be a good man and a bad one.
however, there is no good mountain and a bad one.
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We do not detect an honest planet and another unfaithful one.
Only man is concerned with values, purpose of life, and is concerned with the existence.
Only humans and jinn grasp (the fact) that they are under religious assignment.
Perceiving the meaning of morals is nothing but part of our inner instinctual sense of divine assignment.
Therefore, religion is essential for man to understand.
Religion is the only thing that justifies the meaning of morality, why it exists, and why we feel the need to adhere to it.
It is the only thing that gives morality its distinctive feature,
for it can only be understood in the parameters of divine assignment.
It can only be known through religion that morality is innate in the human race
And through religion, we recognize the purpose of existence, and know that the morals that we feel the need to adhere to, even if we do not actually do, are part of the divine assignment.
So, religion is a human necessity.
Also, it is through religion that we know why we are here,
and (answers the question), what comes after death?
And know the meaning of existence.
And (answers the question) what is required from us in this life?
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Thus, religion is a must for knowing about the most important things that concern man.
Therefore, without religion the entire world would turn into complete blindness and nothingness.
Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy upon him) said: “There is no way to happiness and success, neither in this world nor in the Hereafter, except through the Messengers. There is no way to know good and bad in detail, except through them, neither will the pleasure of Allah be ever attained, except through them. 6
The world is dark and cursed, except for what the sun of religion and the sun of the Message has risen upon, as Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy upon him) says. 7
Without religion, the purpose of existence, the meaning and value of good, is not known.
And without the divine Messages, the world turns into a scary absurdity.
When religion disappears and people deny prophethood, man will turn into star waste, as Carl Sagan says, and into an insect, as Sartre says. 8
6 Z?d al-Ma‘?d (1/68).
7 Majm?‘ al-Fat?wa (19/93,94).
8 Video Source: The Shores of the Cosmic Ocean [Episode 1] Some part of our being knows this is where we came from. We long to return. And we can. Because the cosmos is also within us. We are made of star-stuff. We are a way for the cosmos to know itself. 06 min 04 sec. As for man turning into an insect, Sartre said this in his novel, Nausea.
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Then man actually becomes chemical waste, or, more precisely, chemical scum, as Stephen Hawking says.9
Prophethood is the only pulse of existence, and without prophethood, the most wonderful inventions and the most enjoyable desires turn into horror!
Without religion, the world with all its beauty transfers into a frightful ghost.
If you ask any atheist any existential question, such as: Why are we here in this world or what comes after death?
He will either turn your question into sophistry, or he will just stay mute.
Therefore, religion is a natural requirement for human understanding and for comprehending the necessity of moral values. Also, religion is essential for knowing the meaning and purpose of existence and for the fulfillment of servitude to Allah through which salvation is attained.
18-Why is it not possible that such morals are the product of a brain or society?
Answer: The brain consists of exactly the same material components as in the material world!...
No matter how complicated the brain or the material compositions are, eventually the result of a sum of zeros will be nothing but zero
Thus, if matter knows neither well or evil, then the same applies to the brain.
9 From an interview with Ken Campbell on Reality on the Rocks: Beyond Our Ken, 1995
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Here, we ask the atheist: How did the concept of good and evil appear when the whole material world is morally neutral and knows neither good nor evil?
The second question: According to the brain, what prevents the extermination of all the people on earth?
What prevents placing the inferior human races into animal cages?
What prevents the annihilation of the sick, disabled, handicapped, and inferior races as what took place in the natural selection project carried out by the Nazi - Action T4 Project -?10
The brain, in its material form is not able to answer such questions by deeming them wrong or by deeming them right.
The brain is fully neutral when it comes to morality, as it is composed of the same atoms of the earth.
Actually, the brain and morality are absolutely not related.
As for the idea that society is the originator of morals, then this would be strange, as it concerns man as a man, and not society as a whole.
Furthermore, society consists of the same components of matter, and therefore the sum of zeros again will only produce zero, so how did society come up with morals, which do not belong to the material world in the first place?
Then, if this supposedly true, and we consider morals a product of society, then the Nazi will be right in exterminating others because society would believe this to be moral.
When the world decided to prosecute the Nazis, this decision was based on the fact that morals are absolute and not the product of society. Otherwise, they
10 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aktion_T4
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would not have been able to prosecute the Nazis and would not have realized that they had made a mistake in the first place.
In fact, morals are independent from society, right is right in both good societies and bad ones.
Likewise, wrong is wrong in both good societies and bad ones.
Morals have a meaning that extends beyond the brain and community.
19-There is more than one God in the cultures of the earth, so why believe in Allah specifically?
There is no worshiped god in all the religions on the earth except Allah.
Our disagreement with all the ther world religions is that they have worshiped with Allah other gods such as Jesus and the Holy Spirit in Christianity, Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma in Hinduism...etc.
All religions believe in Allah the One and Only God, and they deem Him the Creator of the existence.
But they just worship alongside Allah other gods.
Even the idols of the polytheists were not worshiped as deities for their own selves, for they acknowledged that Allah is the Creator, but they make them intermediaries to Allah. {If you ask them who created the heavens and earth and subjected the sun and moon, they will surely say, “Allah.” How are they then deluded?} [Surat al-‘Ankabūt: 61]
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy upon him) said: “And whoever thinks that the idols worshipers believed that idols create the world or that they send down rain, grow plants, or create animals or
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otherwise, then he is ignorant about them. Rather, they worshiped these idols for the same reason the polytheists worshiped the graves.” 11
Will Durant says that the origin of pagan Hinduism ultimately goes back to the belief in the One God. He says about the Hindu gods: “These thousands of gods represents the same model of the Christian churches that hold thousands of figures as saints. A Hindu never thinks, even for a single moment, that such uncountable gods have supreme sovereignty.” 12
A report submitted to the British government in India during the British occupation of India stated: “The general conclusion reached by the committee from the research is that the overwhelming majority of Indians hold a firm belief in one Supreme God.”13
Allah is One in all religions of the earth. {and our God and your God is One,} [Surat al-Ankabūt: 46]
Idols and human gods are nothing but intermediaries to Allah that are heresy. {As for those who take others as guardians besides Him, [saying], We only worship them so that they may bring us closer to Allah.} [Surat az-Zumar:3]
20- If a person does something that he does not need, it is absurd! God does not need us, so why did He create us?
Answer: It is silly to think that need is matched by absurdity!
11 Majm al-Fatwa, vol.1 p.359
12 The Story of Civilization, Will Durant, vol.3, p. 209.
13 ibid.
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In fact, need is matched by wisdom, not absurdity.
A rich and reputable doctor may treat people without needing anything from them but treats them for their own benefit. Here we do not describe his action as absurd!
Wisdom and a great intent behind the act do not revolve around the need/absurdity cycle!
Moreover, a swimmer may rescue a child out of mercy, then leave him and go without waiting for the child’s parents to thank him. Here, his action is not classified as a need or absurdity, rather, this is a generous act, a noble purpose, and of good character!
So, need and absurdity are not necessarily correlated. 14
According to Sahīh Muslim, Allah Almighty said in a Qudsi Hadīth: O My servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you to be as pious as the most pious heart of one of you, it would not increase in My dominion anything. O My servants were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you to be as wicked as the most wicked heart of one of you, it would not decrease from My dominion anything. It is but your deeds that I count for you and then recompense you for them. So, whoever finds good, let him praise Allah, and whoever finds other than that, let him blame none but himself.”
Allah is free from need of the worlds.
Our endeavor, effort, and work are only for ourselves. {Whoever strives, he only strives for his own good. Indeed, Allah is in no need of the worlds. } [Surat al-Ankabūt: 6]
14 Zh?hirat Naqd Ad-D?n Fi Al-Falsafah Al-Had?thah by Dr. Sult?n Al-‘Umayri, Ph.D. thesis.
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