Transcript Intellectual Theology

Islamic Intellectual Theology
Lesson 4 – Tawheed
The Proof of Necessity and the
Possibility of Existence
Sources :
ELAHIYAAT (Arabic) of Sh Ja’far Sobhani
, vol. 1 (Summary)
Notes: Dr. Sayed Fadhil Al-Milani
International College of Islamic Studies
(ICIS)
Islamic Collage for Advanced Studies
(ICAS)
Edited: May 19, 2009 - BHD
Old method: 1. The Proof of Necessity and
the possibility of Existence
1.
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Arabic: BURHAAN AL-WUJUB WAL IMKAAN
This proof was used by the wise men and the
theologians (AL-HUKUMAA’ AL-ILAAHEYYEEN)
The claim: God must exist, His existence is
necessary intellectually, and all the other things
existence is possible , i.e. God’s existent is
essential and does not come from other than
him.
In other words every thing requires a cause in its
existence (Gained existence) therefore can exist
(possibility), except for the God Who is self
existent and must (necessary or essential
existence)
The difference between the
Essential and the Possible
In the possible thing (MOMKIN ALWJUOOD) the
existence and non existence are equal, unless if
an external factor interrupts and brings the
possible thing into existence, or annihilates the
exiting possible thing and puts it back to non
existence, therefore possible is transient .
 That external factor which causes the possible to
exist or to annihilate must be necessary to exist
(WAJIB ALWUJOOD)
 Why? Because it will initiate an endless chain or
circulation.
 How? Think about it and the discussion will be in
our next lesson.
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Why Endless Chain?
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If we assume God is possible, then it will require
an external cause to bring Him into existence,
and that will have to be superior to this God,
thus that will be the God and not this because of
His superiority in being the cause of the next
one.
If we assume that the cause God is also
possible then He will also require an external
factor in His existence, there fore we will have to
assume another superior cause, and it will
continue in endless chain unless
If we end the chain with a God whose existence
(WUJOOD) is not possible (MOMKIN) but it is
essential (WAJIB) , i.e. does not require any
cause in His existence, and is self existing by
him self, then the logical problem is solved.
Why Circular “DAUR”?

a.
b.
A) If God was possible, then He requires a
possible cause to gain His existence,
B) But All the possible require a God in its
existence
It is a circulation A depends on B in its existence,
and B depends on A in its existence = Circular
argument = FALSE
- Because “a” is contingent upon “b” and “b” is
contingent on “a”.
In this proof we either end up with:
either an essential existent that is necessary and
is the first cause of all the possible things.
Or, we end up with an infinite series of causes in
an endless chain, which that is logically absurd.
Conclusion:
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Either A or B must be essential in its
existence to break the absurd or illogical
circulation.
Logic indicates that all the possible things
(B) cannot be essentials, because they
are possible by experience.
Conclusion: God (A) has to be essential
and necessary in His existence Who is the
cause of the existence of every possible.
And If he is essential in His existence then
His infinity is proven i.e. He was always there.
Example: the Viscosity of Oil
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The viscosity of oil is essential (self), and any
other oily thing is gained.
If you take some oil, pour on a glass table top,
pour some flour on it, let the oil soak in the oil,
then take some of that flour in your hand and rub
it, after that take a paper towel and wipe your
hand with it.
If someone asks you how did that paper towel
become oily, you will answer: My hand, and if he
continues to ask about the source of viscosity on
each and every thing became oily, you will answer
the source, until the question reaches to the Oil,
and he will not ask you how did the oil become
oily, because the oil is oily in its self and its
viscosity is not gained by any other oily thing. The
chain has to end to a self in viscosity, because oil
will be no more called an oil if the viscosity or
oiliness is taken away from it.
Existence Cannot be Taken Away
from God
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Therefore asking from where God came? Or
how did He exist ? Or what made Him exists?
All questions are absurd because His
existence is self and essential infinitely, all the
possible things gain there existence from Him
because He is the cause of the existence of
every existing thing.
Possible things can never be the cause of His
existence.
Nor we can say when was God or where is
God, because He is the cause of time, matter
and space, therefore he can never be under its
affects (an affect can never be the cause of its
cause)
Summary
All the existing things end up into
three possibilities:
1. Circular argument (absurd)
2. Infinite argument in series (absurd)
3. The Necessary Existence
 Since 1 & 2 are absurd logically, then
3 must be true.
