EXISTENCE OF FROM THE STANDPOINT OF ISLAM AND SCIENCE AND SCIENCE

Existence of God from the Standpoint of Islam and Science

R. I. KHAN

he subject—existence of Almighty Muslims developed science to a great extent God is of fundamental importance, and they were the people who believed in Tespecially in a religion. I believe, Almighty God and who acquired deeper this is a topic which can foster inter- knowledge of God through science. For religious amity and bring together the example, the renowned Arab astronomer, followers of various . The causes Abdullah Muhammad Ibu Zabir Al Battani, of crime and unrest in the world can be who spent forty years of his life from 878 to traced to the absence of in God in the 918 C.E. in observing and studying heavenly hearts of man. Thus this subject is also bodies, says, ‘The Science of the stars . . . closely related with the establishment of tends to recognize God’s oneness and peace. Indeed, as the Holy Quran says, highest divine wisdom’1. Later, in the 17th ‘God is the source of peace and bestower century of the Christian era, when scientists of security.’ stated that the earth is not the centre of the The Quran presents the universe as an universe, the European clergy opposed this evidence of the . It says: idea and it was generally felt that there is a ‘In the creation of the heavens and the earth dichotomy between religion and science. But and in the alterations of the night and the in the present age, we find that day, there are indeed signs for men of many scientists do not regard religion and understanding’. ‘And among His signs is science as contradictory. Many of them do the creation of the heavens and the earth, believe in God. and the diversity of your tongues and A book entitled The Evidence of God in colours. In that surely are signs for those an Expanding Universe was published from who possess knowledge’. ‘Are you in doubt U.S.A in 1959.2 It consists of essays by forty concerning , Maker of the heavens famous scientists in different fields of and the earth?’ science, who declared their affirmative These verses of the Quran clearly views about God. Mr John Clover Monsma, indicates that the study of the creation of the the Editor of the book, writes in the heavens and the earth leads to Almighty Introduction: God. So, first I now present some aspects of science and views of scientists on this The basic postulate of this book, its points of departure, is that science can establish by subject. observed facts of Nature and intellectual argumentation, that a superhuman power Religion and science exists. It cannot identify the power to It is specially worth mentioning that describe it, except in very general terms. For after the advent of our Holy prophet, identification and more detailed description

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special (the Bible) is needed. But The problem of the origin by proceeding from the basic postulate, I of the universe feel our scientists have struck effectively at the heart of . We can think of three possibilities of the Max Planck, the famous scientist of origin of the universe, namely (a) the the 20th century, who did fundamental universe existed from , (b) the work in understanding the atom, and who universe came into existence by chance out was awarded the Nobel Prize in physics in of nothing, (c) the universe was created by a 1920, regarded both religion and science wise Supreme Being whom we call God. We to be the mutual helpers in leading us to shall now give arguments to show that Almighty God. He says, ‘Religion and science supports the third view. natural science are fighting a joint battle in In the 20th century, astronomy has an incessant, never-relaxing crusade developed to such an extent that the age of against dogmatism and against superstition, the universe has been determined. No doubt, and the rallying cry in this crusade has in the light of new observations, the always been, and always will be an estimated age may be revised in future. adherence to God.’ Nevertheless, the determination of the age of Dr George Earl Davis, physicist, the universe on the basis of observations and University of Minnesota. U.S.A., writes, the laws of nature is one of the greatest ‘That atheism exists in scientific circles is achievements. According to our present undeniable. But the popular that knowledge, the age of our universe is about atheism is more prevalent among scientists fifteen billion years. It is obvious that if an than among the unscientific has never been object’s age can be found, it means that the proved and is, in fact, contrary to the object did not exist from eternity. Hence, expressions gained at firsthand by many of our universe did not exist from eternity. Our the scientists themselves.’ inference of the age of the universe is based Dr H. T. Stetson, who was the Director on observations. We have learnt that our of Parkins Observatory, Ohio, writes: ‘It is universe is composed of innumerable not without significance that many of the galaxies, each galaxy consisting of billions eminent men of sciences, have been devout of stars like our sun. In 1929, the remarkable followers of religion. Among such may be discovery was made by Professor Edwin mentioned Galileo, Newton, Faraday, Kelvin Hubble from a study of the spectra of and Pasteur.’3 galaxies, that galaxies are varing away from In his remarkable book Hamara Khuda, each other with speeds proportional to their Hajrat Mirza Bashir Ahmed states: ‘With separation from each other. Hence, in the regard to the belief in Almighty Being, we remote past, the galaxies were very close to find that many scientists believed in God. In one another. According to the generally fact there are very few among them who accepted view, all the matter that comprises deny the existence of God and there are the galaxies was confined to a space some more who do not deny’. We have also found 15 billion years ago. It was exceedingly hot that many scientists believe in God. Dr and dense. Then a big bang occurred and the Ravada Satyanarayana, Professor of Physics matter got broken up into many parts, which and former Vice-Chancellor of the Osmania receded from one another. From these parts University, and Professor Nelson Limber the galaxies and the stars were formed. In firmly believed in God. 1965 Penzias and Wilson discovered a

22 Bulletin of the Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture December 2017 EXISTENCE OF GOD FROM THE STANDPOINT OF ISLAM AND SCIENCE radio-radiation corresponding to black intellects rule their emotions, they would be body radiation of temperature of three compelled to acknowledge that there is a degrees Kelvin which supports this view. God. This is the only conclusion that will fit The American scientist Dr Harry L. the facts. To study science with an open- Shipman concludes his book on black holes mind will bring one to the necessity of a first cause, whom we call God.6 with the following words: Chemistry also opposes the view that The Big Bang theory leaves one unanswered our universe existed from eternity. Dr John question. Who created the material that exploded as Big-Bang? For this the Cleveland Cothram, Professor of Chemistry, astronomer has no answer. We may be able writes: ‘Chemistry discloses that matter is to look back to the early second of the ceasing to exist, same varieties exceedingly evolution of the universe, but our vision slowly, others exceedingly swiftly. stops there. This book ends by leaving the Therefore, the existence of matter is not problem of creation to the philosopher and eternal. Consequently, matter must have the theologian.4 a beginning’.7 The Holy Quran has given this powerful The presence of radioactive elements in argument for the existence of Almighty God: the universe also indicates that the universe ‘And that to thy do (all things) is not eternal. Dr Donald Robert Carr writes: ultimately go’. ‘In a universe which had no beginning but It also draws attention very effectively to had always existed, no radioactive elements the existence of God by referring to the would remain.’8 creation as follows: ‘Do not the disbelievers In short, astronomy, physics, chemistry see that the heavens and the earth were a and geology are all unanimous in rejecting close-up (mass) and we opened them out? the view that the universe had no beginning. And we made from water every living thing. It may be asked: What is the view of Will they not then believe?’5 those scientists who do not believe in God, It has been inferred from an important concerning the origin of the universe? In his principle of physics, namely the law of book entitled the Fascinating Astronomy, entropy that states that our universe did not Dr V. N. Kamorov gives the following exist from eternity. According to this quotation from Academician principle, if hot and cold bodies are in Pyotrfedoseyev, a leading Soviet contact with each other, energy would flow philosopher: from the hotter bodies to the colder bodies A material philosophy does not recognize until, at last, the temperature would be the idea of the creation of the physical world universally uniform and there would be no by consciousness, by a Supreme Being. If more useful energy; hence life itself would we agree that the universe being studied cease to exist. Drawing attention to the law today originated 20 billion years ago, then it of entropy and big bang origin of the is important, from a philosophical point of universe, Dr Edwin Luther Kessel has made view, to acknowledge the objective nature of this process as a cosmic stage in the self- the following illuminating comment. evolution of matter. It is the task of concrete If only all scientists would consider the science to understand and describe this evidence of science here described with process in physical terms. It is possible to some honesty and lack of prejudice with conceive of the existence of many universes which they evaluate the results of their own with a complex topology. It is sensible, research; if only they would let their therefore, to distinguish between the notion

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of the natural scientist, which defines the intelligence and wisdom underlie the knowledge we have amassed by now, and universe that it cannot be said that all the philosophical notion of the material these are accidental. In this connection first I world, which includes in a concealed form would like to quote an illuminating passage all the future achievements of natural from the commentary of the Holy Quran by science in their study of the universe.9 Hazrat Mirza-Bashir-ud-Din Mahmood It is clear from this statement that those Ahmad and then give the views of the who deny God do not have any scientific scientists. The Holy Quran says: ‘Are you proof in support of their view. They do so harder to create or the heaven that He has only on the basis of their philosophy. They made’. Commenting on this verse, he says, do not know from where the earliest Almighty Allah always puts forward the material came into existence and merely system of the universe as a proof of His hope, on account of their philosophical existence and asks: Does not this outlook, that the science of the future will magnificent system show you that the hand provide the answer. Even if science of the of a creator is working in it? Every piece of future were to discover the source of the it is dependent on another. Nothing in it is initial material, those who believe in God independent. Scientists say that this world would then question: What is the origin of resulted from the combination of atoms; that source? through the union of the atoms this The Quranic verse says, ‘The Lord is the wonderful universe came into existence. We final cause of all causes.’ Commenting on agree that various atoms united just in the the verse the Promised Messiah has said, way so that our need here today is If we observe carefully we find that the adequately fulfilled by an arrangement made entire universe is bound together in a system miles and miles away. We do agree that the of cause and effect. This system is the root atoms have formed this world, but if there of all knowledge. No part of creation is were no God in this world, how did it outside the system. Same things are the happen that the atoms united in just the right roots of others and same are branches. A fashion so as to satisfy that need of man and cause may be Primary or may be the effect in the place that is appropriate for satisfying of another cause, and that in its turn may be his need. The encounters of the atoms had the effect of still another cause and so on. taken place in such a way so as to satisfy Now, it is not possible that in this finite world this pattern of cause and effect should every need of man. This cannot be have no limit and should be infinite. We are accidental. compelled to acknowledge that it must So we have to admit that behind this terminate with same ultimate cause. The universe some other being is working. If we ultimate cause is God. This verse sets forth see leather, we may say that it has come here this argument very concisely and affirms by chance, but if we see boots made from that the system of cause and effect that leather and the same placed on sofas 10 terminates in God. and chair and stairway for decoration, we cannot say that all these are accidental. Thus The universe did not come into a complete system cannot be called existence by chance accidental. This system is so complete The second possibility, namely, that the that no person who looks at the complete universe came into existence by chance, is pictures can think that all this happened by also not valid since so much order, chance. Thus God says that you look at the

24 Bulletin of the Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture December 2017 EXISTENCE OF GOD FROM THE STANDPOINT OF ISLAM AND SCIENCE system of the heaven and the earth which is stranger, who can no longer wonder and even harder in creation than your own stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead. To selves. You may say that any one thing is know that what is impenetrable to us really accidental or that two things are accidental, exists, manifesting itself as the highest but how can you say that the entire system is wisdom and the most radiant beauty which 11 our dull faculties can comprehend only in by chance? their most primitive forms of this Let us now listen to this argument for knowledge, this feeling is at the centre of the existence of God given by the Holy true religiousness. Quran, the reverberation of which is heard in the words of eminent scientists. According He further says: to Sir Issac Newton, the greatest of all My religion consists of a humble admiration scientists that the world has produced, the of the illimitable superior spirit who reveals universe could not be explained without himself in the slight details we are able to belief in God. He says, ‘This most beautiful perceive with our frail and feeble minds. system of the sun, planets and comets could That deeply emotional conviction of the only proceed from the counsel and dominion presence of a superior reasoning power, of an intelligent and powerful being.’12 which is revealed in the incomprehensible 13 At the time of Newton, the study of the universe, forms my idea of God. laws of nature was called Natural The origin of the universe and the origin Philosophy. According to Newton, the of life are two fundamental problems of inference of the existence of God from the research in science. I have referred to the study of the universe was within the realm of origin of the universe. I shall now take up Natural Philosophy. But later on, when the second issue, ie the origin of life. The knowledge was divided into various Holy Quran asks: ‘How can you disbelieve disciplines, the domain of the scientist was in Allah? You were without life and He gave limited to the study of the material things you life.’ (2:29) Let us now hear the same and the problem related to them. Whether argument put forward by several scientists. God exists or not was considered outside the Edwin Canklin, the famous biologist of precincts of science. Nevertheless, in the the Princeton University says, ‘The 20th century, scientists have expressed their probability of life originating from accident views about God. Albert Einstein is one of is comparable to the probability of the the greatest scientists of the 20th century. unabridged dictionary resulting from an Dr Infeld, who had the opportunity of explosion in a printing shop.’14 Supporting working with him, says about Einstein that this view, Dr Edmond Corl Kornfeld, a whenever he had a new idea, he asked research chemist, says, ‘I subscribe to that himself, could God have created the world in statement unreservedly. It is my firm this way? Or Is this mathematical structure conviction that there is a God, and that worthy of God? He planned, created and sustains the Enraptured by the beauty and grandeur universe’.15 In the light of his knowledge of of the universe and the profound wisdom chemistry, he argues further that ‘We will which underlies it, Einstein said, admit that we must believe in a supreme The most beautiful and the most profound creative intelligence in Nature or, as the only emotion we can experience is the sensation alternative to this, we must believe that the of the mystical. It is the sower of all true universe as we find it has come about as the science. He, to whom this emotion is a result of chance, and chance alone. To one

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who has seen marvellous complexity and yet covered with ice. Beneath the ocean there is the pervading order in organic chemistry— no ice, since the density of the underlying especially that in living system—the idea of water is greater than that of ice. Hence, even chance is repugnant to the extreme. The in severe winter the animals are quite safe in more one studies the science of molecular- the ocean as water is available to them. Then structure and interrelation, the more one is he says that this peculiar property of water convinced of the necessity of a planner and manifests divine wisdom and indicates that designer of it all. . . . The simplest man- God exists. Dr Frank Allen, Professor of made mechanism requires a planner and a Biophysics, University of Manitoba, Canada, maker. How a mechanism, ten thousand and Dr T. D. Park also have drawn attention times more involved and intricate, can be to the properties of water in support of the conceived of view that God exists.19 as self-constructed and self-developed is Dr Irving William Knobloch, Professor completely beyond me.’16 of Natural Sciences, Michigan State The Promised Messiah, peace be on University, says: him, says so beautifully—‘Wonderful indeed I believe in God . . . because, I do not think is the manifestation of Thy power, my dear, that the mere chance could account for the in every direction, / No matter in which emergence of the first electrons and protons, direction we look, we get a vision of Thee!’ or for the first atom, or for the first amino- Scientists strive to discover the laws of acids or for the first protoplasm, or for the Nature. The very fact that laws exist shows first seed, or for the first brain. I believe in that there is a maker of laws. Dr John God, because to me his Divine Existence is Cleveland Corthren, Professor of Chemistry, the only logical explanation for the things as they are.20 University of Minnesota says, ‘The study of matter and energy consistently has shown in If we do not accept that this universe has the past and still continues to show been created by a Supreme Being who that the behaviour of even insensible matter possesses knowledge and wisdom, we will is not at all haphazard but on the contrary have to believe that lifeless particles are “obeys” definite natural laws’17. . . . ‘Can considerably more intelligent than us since any informed and reasoning intellect through their mutual interaction and co- possibly believe that insensible matter just operation, the sun and the moon, the chanced to originate itself and all this system mountains and the oceans, could be formed; then chanced to impose this system upon but we human beings even by collaborating itself, where after this system just chances to with one another in this age of advanced remain imposed? Surely, The answer is science are yet incapable of making even a No.’18 leg of an insect. Thus in short, this universe Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV illuminates clearly points towards a mighty and all- us with his comments on science. He draws knowing being. The Holy Quran says: ‘And our attention to the fact that water has the if thou ask them, who created the heavens property that, if its temperature is decreased, and the earth? They will, surely, say: The its density increases until a temperature of Mighty, the All-knowing created them’. four degrees centrigrade is reached. If the temperature is further reduced, then the Wisdom in Nature density decreases instead of increasing on The Holy Quran emphasizes that there is account of this anomalous expansion of no flaw in God’s creation. It says, ‘He has water in the winter season when ocean is created seven heavens in harmony. No

26 Bulletin of the Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture December 2017 EXISTENCE OF GOD FROM THE STANDPOINT OF ISLAM AND SCIENCE incongruity can you see in the creation of the answer, he gave an inspiring description of Gracious God.’ Thus it draws attention to the creation of the celestial bodies, their the infallible wisdom which nature displays. motions and the astonishing order to which This bears eloquent testimony to the fact that they adhere. His voice and movements the universe is not an outcome of chance but clearly showed that he was deeply impressed is a result of creation by a Wise Being. Prof. by the power and majesty of God. He said, Abdus Salam, who was awarded the Nobel ‘You know Inayatuallah Khan, when I Prize in physics in 1979, expressed the same behold God’s marvellous feats of creation, conviction. So has done the Nobel laureate my whole being trembles in awe at His Prof. S. Chandrasekhar, one of the topmost majesty. When I go to church I bow my head astrophysicists. and say, “Lord, how great you are!” And not only my lips, but every particle of my body Through science to the Almighty joins in uttering these words. I obtain Dr Albert Winchester, who is an expert incredible peace and joy from my . in biology, has admitted that . . . ‘after many Compared to others, I receive a thousand years of study and work in the field of times more fulfilment from my . So, science, my faith in God, rather than being tell me Inayatullah Khan, now do you shaken, has become much stronger and understand why I go to church?’ acquired a firmer foundation than Hearing this Inayatullah told Sir James heretofore. Science brings about an insight Jeans that his words reminded him of a verse into majesty and of the of the Holy Quran which he would like to supreme being which grows stronger with quote if permitted. James replied, ‘Of each discovery’.21 course’, Mr Inayatullah Khan then quoted Maulana Wahiduddin Khan of the the following verse: Islamic Centre, Delhi, has written a nice And among the mountains are streaks, white book entitled God Arises (published by and red, of diverse hues and others raven Maktaba AL Risala, c-29, Nizamuddin West, black, and in like manner, there are men and New Delhi, 1987) in which he has collected beasts and cattle of various colours. Only the evidence of science and the sayings of those of his servants who possess knowledge scientists on the existence of Almighty God. fear Allah. He has narrated an inspiring incident in this Sir James Jeans was deeply impressed book. I shall relate it. Inayatullah Mashriqi by these words of the Holy Quran. He had visited England in the year 1909. On a exclaimed: Sunday, when it was raining hard, he met Sir ‘What was that? It is those alone who James Jeans, the famous astronomer of the have knowledge who fear God. Wonderful! Cambridge University going to a church How extraordinary! It has taken me fifty with Bible clutched under his arm. Mr years of continuous study and observation to Inayatullah Khan expressed his astonishment realise this fact. Who taught it to (Hazrat) that a person of such a universal fame like Muhammad (peace and blessing of Allah be him was going to pray in a church! upon him)? Is this really in the Quran? If so, Sir James Jeans asked Mr Inayatullah to you can record my testimony that the Quran come to his house and have tea with is an inspired book. Hazrat Muhammad was him in the evening. Accordingly Inayatullah illiterate. He could not have learnt this went to his house. Jeans was then lost in his immensely important fact on his own. God thoughts. He asked the visitor: ‘What was must have taught it to him. Incredible! How your question?’ But without waiting for an extraordinary’!

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NOTES AND REFERENCES 1 A. Pannekoek, History of Astronomy, Publishers, Moscow, 1985, p. 137. Interscience New York, 1961. 10 The Philosophy of the Teaching of Islam, 2 John Clover Monsma, edited, The Evidence Islam International Publication Ltd., U. K., of God in an Expanding Universe, 1959 1989, p. 46. (hereafter Evidence). 11 Tafseere Kabeer commentary on chapter 79. 3 H. T. Stetson, Man and the Stars, McGraw 12 Charles Whyte, Our Solar System and the Hill, 1930, p. 214. Stellar Universe, Charles Griffin & Co., 4 Harry L. Shipman, Black Holes, Quasars London, 1923, p. 131. and the Universe, Houghton Miffin 13 Lincoln Barnett, The Universe and Dr. Company, Boston, 1976, p. 288. Einstein, Mentor, 1950, p. 118. 5 For an excellent comment on this verse, see 14 Evidence, p. 174. Monsieur Maurice Bucaille, The Bible, the 15 Ibid. Quran and Science, Crescent Publishing 16 Ibid., p. 176. Company, Aligarh 1980, p. 139. 17 Ibid., p. 38. 6 Evidence, p. 52. 18 Ibid., p. 41. 7 Ibid., p. 41. 19 Frank Allen, ‘The Origin of the World—by 8 Ibid., p. 134. Chance or Design?’ in Evidence, p. 21. 9 V. N. Kamorov, The Fascinating 20 Evidence, p. 89. Astronomy, English Translation, Mir 21 Ibid., p. 165. * Dr R. I. Khan is a neurologist. (Continued from page 14) The importance of Mother’s biography She demonstrated the highest truths of Vedanta in her daily life; she harmoniously What can we learn from this book? The reconciled the contemplative life and the answer is: Holy Mother’s simple and pure active life. Mother’s divine life is a beacon life inspires us. Her modesty and humility for lost and weary souls in this world. Her overwhelm us. Her love and compassion life and her message help the downtrodden conquer our hearts. Her struggle and and the depressed as well as those who suffering strengthen us to face ordeals and have lost hope in trying to find meaning in crisis of life. Her contentment and life. Innumerable people are receiving indifference to poverty make us ashamed peace and bliss, solace and succour from when we complain about small things. Her her simple life and practical teachings. forbearance and acceptance of various Millions and millions of people in the ailments such as dysentery, malaria, East and the West now think of and rheumatism, and kala-azar encourage us to meditate on Ramakrishna and Holy Mother endure our illness silently. Her grace and daily. Every great religious personality forgiveness convey her divinity to us. Her gives shelter, rest, and peace to all. truthfulness and steadiness convince us that Referring to those great souls, Jules we can rely on her. Her presence of mind Michelet wrote in The Bible of Humanity: shows us how to be practical. Her unselfish ‘Man must rest, get his breath, refresh service and complete self-surrender are himself at the great living wells, which keep models for our own lives. the freshness of the eternal.’ * This article is based on the transcription of the Swami Bhuteshananda Memorial Lecture delivered by Swami Chetanananda at the Institute on 10 September 2016. The swami is Minister-in-charge, Vedanta Society of St. Louis, U.S.A.

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