INTELLECTUAL ARGUMENTS FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD
THE ARGUMENT FROM INTELLIGENT DESIGN OR ORDER IN CREATION
Our minds recognize the effects of other intelligent beings when we see the purposeful arrangement of parts, such as the letters and words in a book. Or, the intentional design of something like art, a building or an automobile. We know from our own experience that such things as books and art only come from one source, a mind. So, when we see intentionally designed systems, purposeful arrangement of parts, we know that at an intelligent agent, a mind, must be the cause. The theory of intelligent design simply says that certain features of the universe and of living things are best explained by an intelligent cause.
Just a superficial glance at the world we live inleadsto the realization that the universe is not in chaos and disorder. Rather, all phenomena are parts of a harmonious whole and are moving towards a clear and determined direction.
The holy Qur’an instructs us to look at the world and contemplate it and we will see the wisdom of the Creator: "Those who remember Allah, standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and reflect on the (wonders of) creation in the heavens and the earth, (and say): "Our Lord! You have not created (all) this in vain! Glory be to You! Save us from the punishment of the Fire." (Quran 3:191)
In the creation we will see that everything is measured and precise, and they all have a purpose, which, directly or indirectly serve human beings:
“The sun and the moon follow courses (exactly) computed; And the herbs and the trees - both (alike) prostrate in adoration. He has raised high the sky, and has set up the balance, declaring do not transgress (due) balance. So establish weight with justice and fall not short in the balance. It is He Who has spread out the earth for mankind" (Quran 55:5-10)
A close look at the universe will make the following points obvious:
- In order to come into being and to remain, every living creature must be subject to a series of laws and special conditions. For instance, for a tree to exist, water, a suitable soil and a specific climate are necessary for it to grow.
- If the right conditions do not exist, there is no possibility for life to come into being. This shows that necessary preconditions require an intellect and knowledge to understand and therefore are the product of an intelligence.
Every phenomenon has a special effect that is exclusive to it. Water and fire each have their own particularities and permanent laws.
- All of the organs and limbs of living creatures have specific functions while they coordinate with each other. For example, the human body is a complete system with all its parts workingin coordinated unison. This is another sign of the order in the universe.
- All the various creatures of the world are also in co-ordination with each other and with the rest of the world. For instance, for the nourishment of living creatures, the sun shines, clouds bring rain and the earth and resources of the earth also help. This all shows the existence of one clear system in the universe.
Only an intelligent being can see the intelligence behind the existence of a phenomenon, and the seamless interrelationship between all the parts of the universe shows that there is only one Creator. As the Holy Qur’an says:
“If there had been in them any gods except Allah, they would both have certainly been in a state of disorder; therefore, glory be to Allah, the Lord of the dominion, above what they attribute (to Him)†(Quran 21:22)
