Does God exist? Throughout the ages people have been pondering this question which has resulted in various theologies that affirm that there must be a creator. On the other hand there are people who answer this question in the negative and are commonly described as Atheists.
There are various reasons that atheists reject the concept of god. For many it could be due to questioning the core beliefs of their religion, a negative experience in their religion or a traumatic event resulting in a deep personal loss. In its purest form atheists are people who are not satisfied with answers that religions provide to questions like; "Why am I here?" "What's the meaning of life?" and "Where did I come from?".
I would like to present the following ideas which are based on reasoning and a conscious belief that God does exist.
According to atheist belief "matter is self-existing and not created." If matter had a beginning and yet was not created, one must logically maintain that without any force, energy or intelligence, matter come into existence. But this belief can not be supported with what science has discovered so far about the creation of the universe, with the inception of the "Big Bang". This fact should be enough to sway the answer to, "Does God exist?" in to the positive.
But let's continue with some earthly reasoning. If we look at a painting we know that it is a mix of different colors that the artist has planned out on a particular canvas. The artist uses a specific type of material whether it is charcoal, watercolors or pencil to create a certain design that can only be created with that material. Let's agree that the painting did not spontaneously appear from a chemical reaction in the air. The artist either made or bought all of his materials and then planned to use them to create a painting. It can then also be said that it is highly unlikely that another person could replicate the painting with each detail exactly in place.
I would like to then mention that the universe also did not spontaneously form but that there was a creator, who had a plan. He used specific materials to create the universe along with the stars and planets. One major fact is that the universe exists and functions in an orderly manner with specific laws that govern it. An example could be about how all eight planets revolve around our sun in a consistent manner and that this order has survived for millions of years. This harmony points to a creator of order and a being who knows everything in all its relations and characteristics, one who can put everything in order. Can we really say that the universe is accidental? Can we attribute the existence of man and the whole world to mere chance? I think not.
If we look around us, there are many things which are living. These living things are made up of nonliving things such as atoms and molecules. Even though living things are made up of all these atoms, there is nothing that makes up the conscious. Living things are not just physical systems; they have a rich range of expression that is more than just electrical charges in the brain. This consciousness allows humans to live with a rich mental state, while allowing all other living things to at least be aware of their surroundings. It is the aspect of conscience, which allows for humans to distinguish between right and wrong. Humans are the only beings that are able to do this. But where does this come from? How is it possible that a mixture of nonliving atoms and molecules are able to produce a living thing? The infinite complexities of life points to a creator who brings nonliving material into being.
Natural selection, often presented as the poster child for "no god", cannot explain where consciousness comes from. The process of natural selection is based on the survival behaviors that the organism performs. The consciousness that we humans have is not necessary for behavior. Behavior is the only trait necessary for survival. An organism that looks human can exist without the consciousness that we posses. Consciousness does not increase our chance of survival and evolution cannot explain where consciousness comes from.
A common question that is put forth to reject the concept of God is, why does God allow suffering. God is omnipotent (infinite in power), omniscient (has unlimited knowledge) and omni-benevolent (has unlimited compassion). He is able to perform outside of our capabilities and that being omniscient and omni-benevolent would not contradict each other. If you ask yourself why has a God, who is all-good, let evil and suffering into our world? God is omniscient and knows all things, which as limited beings, there would be some things we cannot understand. We would not understand all the reasons for the existence of evil. But you can ask yourself, without evil, can there be good? The existence of evil provides a channel for people to do good. If there was no suffering than what would compassion be used for?
Self-sacrifice is another virtue that only happens when people depend on each other and need help from others. If each of us were able to be self-sufficient, and there was no suffering then good would not be possible. A lot of the evil in the world exists because people are the cause of it. God could have created us as either beings with free will or a pre-programmed will. God chose to give us free will, but people are abusing this right and cause a lot of the suffering in this world. There could be a million reasons why God let's suffering happen, and maybe we just can't see what God's intentions are.
Ultimately the answer to "Does god exist?" can be based on our finite understanding of our universe or a primordial urge to submit to a creator who knows the infinite.
Tawhid is a transforming concept that constitutes the essence of the teachings of Islam. It means that there is only one supreme Lord of the universe. He is omnipotent, omnipresent and the sustainer of the world and of mankind.
Now can one observe the inexhaustible creativity of nature, its purposefulness, its preservation of that which is morally useful and destruction of that which is socially injurious, and yet fail to draw the conclusion that behind nature there is an all-pervading mind of whose incessant creative activity the processes of nature are but outward manifestations? The stars scattered through infinite space, the vast panorama of nature with its charm and beauty, the regular waxing and waning of the moon, the astonishing harmony of the seasons - all of these point towards one fact: there is a God. We witness a superbly flawless plan in the universe - can it be without a planner? We see great enchanting beauty and harmony in its working can they be without a creator? We observe wonderful design in nature can't be without a designer? We feel a lofty purpose in physical and human existence - can it be without a will working behind it? We find that the universe is like a superbly written, fascinating book - can it be without an author? Truly, God said:
O, Mankind: worship your Lord, Who created you and those before you, so that you may ward off evil; Who has made the earth a resting place for you, the sky a canopy and Who causes water to pour down from the heavens, thereby producing fruits as food for you. So do not set up rivals to God, when you know better. (Quran 2:21-22)
This is the basic tenet to which Muhammad 
asked humanity to adhere. It is an important metaphysical concept and answers the riddles of the universe. It points to the supremacy of law in the cosmos and the all-pervading unity behind the manifest diversity. It presents a unified view of the world and offers the vision of an integrated universe. It is a mighty contrast to the piecemeal views of the scientists and the philosophers and unveils the truth before the human eye. After centuries of groping in the dark, man is now coming to realize the truth of this concept, and modern scientific thought is moving in this direction.
But it is not merely a metaphysical concept: it is a dynamic belief and a revolutionary doctrine. It means that all men are the creatures of one God and that they are therefore all equal. Any discrimination based on color, class, race, or territory is unfounded and illusory. It is a remnant of the days of ignorance that chained men down to servitude. Humanity is one single family under God, and there can be no sanction for those barriers. Men are one - and not bourgeois or proletarian, white or black, Aryan or non-Aryan, westerner or easterner. Islam gives us a revolutionary concept of the unity of mankind. The Prophet came to unite humanity on the word of God, which says:
Cling firmly together by means of God's rope, and do not be divided. Remember God's favor towards you when you were enemies; He united your hearts so that you became brothers because of His favor. (Quran 3:103)
This concept also defines the true position of man in the universe. It says that God is the Creator and the Sovereign, while man is His vicegerent on the earth. This exalts man to the noble and dignified position of being God's deputy on earth and endows his life with a lofty purpose: to fulfill the will of God on earth. This will solve all the perplexing problems of human society and establish a new order wherein equity and justice, as well as peace and prosperity, will reign supreme.
The starting point of Islam is the belief in the oneness of God (tawhid).
Say: "Praise be to God. He will show you His Signs and you will recognize them. Your Lord is not heedless of anything you do." (Surat an-Naml: 93)
In today's society, people assess the Quran very differently from what is the real purpose of its revelation. In the Islamic world, in general, very few people know the contents of the Quran.
Some Muslims often hang the Quran on the walls of their houses within a decorative cover and elderly people read it from time to time. They assume that the Quran protects those who read it from "misfortune and trouble". According to this superstition, they consider the Quran a sort of amulet against misfortunes.
The Quranic verses, however, inform us that the purpose of the Quran's revelation is entirely different from what is mentioned above. For instance, in the 52nd verse of Surah Ibrahim, God states: "This is a communication to be transmitted to mankind so that they can be warned by it and so that they will know that He is One God and so that people of intelligence will pay heed." In many other verses, God emphasizes that one of the most crucial purposes of the Quran's revelation is to invite people to ponder.
In the Quran, God invites people to reject blindly accepting the beliefs and values society imposes on them and to ponder by pushing aside all the prejudices, taboos and constraints on their minds.
Man must think on how he came into being, what is the purpose of his life, why he will die and what awaits him after death. He must question how he himself and the whole universe came into existence and how they continue to exist. While doing this, he must relieve himself of all constraints and prejudices.
By thinking, while isolating his conscience from all social, ideological and psychological obligations, the person should eventually perceive that the entire universe, including himself, is created by a superior power. Even when he examines his own body or any other thing in nature, he will see an impressive harmony, plan and wisdom at work within its design.
At this point again, the Quran guides man. In the Quran, God guides us as to what we should reflect on and investigate. With the methods of reflection given in the Quran, he who has faith in God will better perceive God's perfection, eternal wisdom, knowledge and power in His creation. When a believing person starts to think in the way shown in the Quran, he soon realizes that the whole universe is a sign of God's power and art, and that, "nature is a work of art, not the artist itself". Every work of art exhibits the exceptional skills of the one who has made it and conveys his messages.
In the Quran, people are summoned to contemplate numerous events and objects that clearly testify to the existence and uniqueness of God and His attributes. In the Quran, all these beings that bear witness are designated as "signs", meaning "tested evidence, absolute knowledge and expression of truth". Therefore, the signs of God comprise all the beings in the universe that disclose and communicate the being and attributes of God. Those who can observe and remember will see that the entire universe is only composed of the signs of God.
This, indeed, is the responsibility of mankind; to be able to see the signs of God... Thus, such a person will come to know the Creator who created him and all other things, draw closer to Him, discover the meaning of his existence and his life and so prosper.
Each thing, the breaths a human takes, political and social developments; the cosmic harmony in the universe, the atom, which is one of the smallest pieces of matter, is each a sign of God and they all operate under His control and knowledge, abiding by His laws. Recognizing and knowing the signs of God calls for personal effort. Everyone will recognize and know the signs of God in accordance with his own wisdom and conscience.
Undoubtedly, some guidelines may also help. As the first step, one can investigate certain points stressed in the Quran in order to acquire the mentality that perceives the whole universe as an articulation of the things created by God.
God's signs in nature are emphasized in Surat an-Nahl:
It is He who sends down water from the sky. From it you drink and from it come the shrubs among which you graze your herds. And by it He makes crops grow for you and olives and dates and grapes and fruit of every kind. . There is certainly a sign in that for people who reflect. He has made the night and the day subservient to you, and the sun, the moon and the stars, all subject to His command. There are certainly signs in that for people who use their intellect. And also the things of varying colors He has created for you in the earth. There is certainly a sign in that for people who pay heed. It is He who made the sea subservient to you so that you can eat fresh flesh from it and bring out from it ornaments to wear. And you see the ships cleaving through it so that you can seek His bounty, and so that perhaps you may show thanks. He cast firmly embedded mountains on the earth so it would not move under you, and rivers and pathways so that perhaps you might be guided, and landmarks. And they are guided by the stars. Is He Who creates like him who does not create? So will you not pay heed? (Surat an-Nahl: 10-17)
In the Quran, God invites men of understanding to think about the issues which other people overlook, or just dismiss using such barren terms as "evolution", "coincidence", or "a miracle of nature".
In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day, there are Signs for people of intelligence: those who remember God standing, sitting and lying on their sides, and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth: "Our Lord, You did not create this for nothing. Glory be to You! So guard us from the punishment of the Fire. (Surah Ali-'Imran: 190-191)
As we see in these verses, people of understanding see the signs of God and try to comprehend His eternal knowledge, power and art by remembering and reflecting on them, for God's knowledge is limitless, and His creation flawless.
For men of understanding, everything around them is a sign of this creation.
