Imam al-Sadiq (as) used a group of intellectual reasonings about monotheism and for denying what atheists follow for corruption, which has no way to adhere to. We will come across to it.
The Monotheism of al-Mufaddhal
Imam al-Sadiq (as) helped his student, al-Mufaddhal ibn Umar al-Jafi al-Koufi about monotheism when Abd al-Karim ibn Abil-Awja and a group of atheists approached the Holy Mosque of Prophet (S), facing against the Holy Prophet (S) and looked down at him wrongly and claimed that there is no creator for the universe nor a manager. Al-Mufaddhal was unable to stand and bear and he could not put up with the case if there was not any firm base assisting him to face him.
Additionally, he did not have the required capability to stand arguing with ibn Abil-Awja. So, he hurried to Imam al-Sadiq (as) and asked him to grant him with scientific reasons in order to be able to debate with atheists and demonstrate his belief. Imam (as) replied to him and wrote a book during several days and that was among the most important books ever authored around this subject, as it was among the ones full of comprehensive sense-based reasoning and examples about monotheistic affairs.
It is worth mentioning that this book had opened new horizons for many of the sciences, which nobody was thinking about before. We will come across some in some of the chapters of this book.
Examples from the Monotheism of al-Mufaddhal
We have to have a short glance at this scientific treasure, which is from the heritage of Islam. What follows is an example of what came in the book:
The origin of doubting about Allah (SwT)
The existence of a great Lord is an indisputable fact that no one doubts about unless those darkening their soul and being overcome by wrongs and those falling in a huge unstable gap of ignorance. Imam al-Sadiq (as) talked about the origin of doubting about Allah, the Almighty and denying Him. He said: “Those who doubt have already lost the requirements and concepts of creation and their thought could not grasp the good and wisdom in what the Almighty created and put them in species in land and sea, in flat and rugged places.
“So they infer the denial with shortage of their thoughts and their weak vision. They also denied the creation of things and claimed that their existence was as a result of a chance and there were no creation, appreciation or wisdom on behalf of a manager or creator. Far is He above what they ascribe to Him! They are in their darkness and ignorance as if they are blind, entering a well- constructed house, paved with the best rugs and the most luxurious ones.
“Various kinds of foods and beverages are provided in addition to the best clothes, which they need all and without which they cannot live. Everything is placed in its place reasonably, but they started doubting about everything left and right, walking up and down. Their eyes cannot figure out the fact. They cannot see the construction of the building and what was placed inside.
“Maybe they faced something that was placed in its place and was specified for some reason, but they do not actually know its purpose and they reason why it was created and why it was placed there? Then they begin their complaining and dispraising the house and the constructor.”
This is the description of those denying the affairs of creation because of their shortage in understanding the reasons and causes behind these things. So, they wander about in this world and do not understand what the creator created, in addition to His well-constructed creation and the excellence of design.
The reason of those infidels denying the existence of the Almighty, is derived from absolute ignorance, which surrounded their souls and left them wandering in the ignorance of this world, as itinerant animals and maybe even worse. They do not ponder on the way they were created themselves and what exists from complicated and astonishing organs.
They do not try to look at the excitements of the creatures of Allah, the Almighty, which are spread in lands and seas. Their eyes cannot see and their minds are deviated. They roam around the streams of ignorance, so they denied the existence of a Lord, manager and inventor for these worlds.
The ignorance of some of those atheists reached to a level that they claimed their infidelity and cursed Allah, the Almighty. The Imam (as) talked about them saying: “Perhaps, some stopped because they did not understand something, and hurrying in denying it. This is the same that Manichaeanism followed and declared publicly as well as those darkened, posing uncertainties, which they, themselves, state as impossible.”
Here the Imam (as) presented two groups of atheists infidels. They are:
Manichaeanism
They are the followers of Mani ibn Fatek al-Farsi and it appeared during the kingdom of Shapoor al-Sasani. Among his invention is that the world has two origins: darkness and light and that they are forever. He claimed that Jesus came to the news of appearance of Mani. He gathered the allegiance of a group of those ignorant and allowed what all other heavenly religions disallowed.
Atheists
They denied the existence of Allah. They claimed that the era is the manager of the universe and the one that affects it. They rejected what other religions came to prove the existence of a manager, inventor and creator of these worlds. The Imam (as) described them as atheists, infidels and dissolute. These people denied their minds and rejected what is self-evident, as every article of this universe is a reason demonstrating and witnessing monotheism.
Sense-Based Reasons for the Existence of Allah
Imam al-Sadiq (as) presented a collection of sense-based reasons on the existence of Allah, the Almighty, and abolished what atheists follow. Here are some of them:
The Precise System of the Universe
One of the best reasons and among the most original ones on the existence of a great creator is the precise system of the universe, which is highly based on wisdom. Its sun, moon, night, day, flat and mountain are all demonstrating the existence of a great creator. Look what Imam (as) said in this regard: “The first reasoning on the existence of Allah, the Almighty, is the structure of this world, its components and the regulations organizing it.
“So, if you think about the universe with your mind, being informed about it with your brain, you will find it as a well-constructed building, which is well suited for what people need. The skies are lifted as roofs; the earth is wide spread as carpet; the stars are lightening as lamps; the treasures are treasured up. Everything in it has a reason for its creation. And human being is just like a king for this house and is free to do what he wishes.
“Various species of plants are ready for use. Different kinds of animals are known with their benefits and advantages. These are all obvious reasons that the universe has been created with wisdom, knowledge and organization. The Creator is one and He is the one, who made them all. He arranged some to suit the others. Be He exalted and be He raised far above. There is no one other than Him. Far is He above what unbelievers ascribe to Him! Far is He above from being impersonated by atheists!”
If human being ponders and thinks about this organized world and its structures that will lead him towards the absolute faith and belief in a great creator. Everything in the universe, either live or not, is leading one towards its origin and inventor. It is farce to deny Allah (SwT) and to not believe in Him. It is from the most obvious and self-evident facts, which no hiding or ambiguity can be applied to.
The Creation of Human Being
One of the most obvious reasons for the existence of Allah (SwT) is His creation of the human, who is among the greatest live creatures, who has many of the astonishing organs, in addition to his significant inventions and constituents.
If human ponders about his creation, he will completely believe in the existence of his creator, the Almighty. Once, the following came in a tradition: “One who knows himself, he will know his Lord.” The Imam (as) talked completely and comprehensively about the creation of human and his organs and system. The following are some aspects of his talk:
The Formation of Foetus: Imam al-Sadiq (as) talked in a comprehensive talk with al-Mufaddhal: “O Mufaddhal! Let us start mentioning the creation of human being. Learn from it. The first thing in this case is the way foetus is created in the womb. The creature there is darkened in three different aspects: the darkness of belly, the darkness of womb and the darkness of amnion. It can do nothing, nor can it send back any harm or bringing any good. The blood of menses is what it uses, as water feeds plants.”
This section talked about the evolution of foetus in the belly of its mother and the fact that it is surrounded by three kinds of darkness, they are: the amnion, which encloses it by amino materials; the covering of amnion by womb; and the captioning of womb by the belly, which they all prevent the light to reach it.
Amnion is the colander of amino and nourishing elements, and the manager of the life of the foetus, which draws blood from the womb of the mother and has it circulated for the evolution of the foetus.
Regarding the amino liquid, its advantage is that it surrounds the foetus from everywhere and puts in a situation of a swimmer and prevents it from being bruised, which might have resulted directly from the womb. Additionally, it has some other usages, such as the easy movement of foetus and some other advantages, which is mentioned in the modern medicine.
About the nourishment of the foetus, the blood of menses, on which its life is based on, is feeding it.
The Birth of the Foetus: He said: “When the evolution is complete, that’s the evolution of the foetus, and the body becomes stronger; its skin was powerful enough to face the air directly and his eyes to face the light, the labour of mother aroused and hurt her to the most severe and violent level.”
When the body and the organs of the foetus becomes stronger; its body becomes able to face the external air; its eyes becomes strong enough to face the light, its movement results in severe labour for the mother and hurts her to the most violent way. She suffers from many severe, unbearable and indescribable pains, until it is born and she sees this dear newborn, which is the continuation to her life, next to her. The modern medicine mentioned strange things during the birth operation, which are all the creation and invention of a great Lord and grantor of life.
The Nourishment of the Baby: The Imam (as) talked about the nourishment of the baby after its birth. He said: “When it is born, that blood, which was feeding it, changes its way towards the breasts of the mother as well as changing its colour and taste to suit the new situation that goes well with the new conditions of the new-born and fulfils its requirements.”
When the foetus is born and is separated from his mother. The blood of the menses, which was purring into the womb of the mother to feed the foetus, moves towards the vessels of breasts and enters their cells and turn into a milk full of every nourishment requirements that the baby needs. At the same time, it is microbe free and grants the baby the important immunity. This is all from the mercy of Allah (SwT) for this weak creature.
Let us hear what Sayyid Ghotob said about the wondrous nature of the creation of the milk in the following holy verse: “And verily in cattle (too) will ye find an instructive sign. From what is within their bodies between excretions and blood, We produce, for your drink, milk, pure and agreeable to those who drink it.” (16:66)
What is the milk that is available in the udder of cattle from? It is extracted from excrement and blood. Excrement is what remained after the digestion of food and the absorption of the essence by the in wards, which changes into blood. This is the blood that is moving towards each cell in the body and when it goes towards the milk glands in udder, it will turn into milk by the great invention of Allah (SwT) that nobody knows how it happens.
Another operation changes nutritious elements in the body into blood and feed each cell with what it needs from this blood. A highly wonderful operation is being done every second just like the burning operation. The destruction and building operation is carried out every moment in this magnificent organ. This unstoppable operation continues until soul leaves the body.
Human beings cannot do anything in front of this wonderful operation. The entire cells are praising the creative creator of these human organs, which no other complex human-made systems can be compared to. Nor these human-made systems can be compared with any one of the uncountable cells.
The Quality of Baby’s Nourishment: He said: “When he is born, smacks and moves his lips asking to suckle. Then he will find the breasts of his mother as what can overcome his needs. He will be fed with milk as along as his body is wet, the organs are gentle and the limbs are soft.”
One of the mercies of Allah, the Almighty, for baby is that He provides something for feeding him without ever needing for the mother to teach him. She just put the breast to be used. Another wonderful fact is that at the primary stage of the birth of the baby, Allah, the Almighty, made the milk as a gummy liquid to disinfect the organs of the baby to suit his stomach. Then, it changes into thicker milk and the nourishing elements are increased as the baby grows.
The Growth of Baby’s Teeth: The Imam (as) talked about the appearance of the teeth of the baby, saying: “So that if he can use them when he wants to move and needs a food that is slightly hard. Molar teeth is used for keeping his body strong; wisdom teeth is used for chewing and to swallow the food easily.”
When the baby becomes older and his organs are stronger, he would need more food to stay healthy. So, the wisdom of the great Creator grants him teeth to help him to digest the food that he needs along with the milk to complete his nourishment. In addition to this, it can be considered as a source of beauty for the mouth and the face, as well as assisting in the better utterance of pronunciation, as the utterance of many of the letters are based on the movement of the tongue in the mouth.
The growth of Hair in Men’s Face: The Imam (as) clarified the wisdom in the growth of hair on men’s face rather than the ladies, saying: “If he, the baby, attains puberty, hair will appear on the face, if the baby is male and that will be the sign of masculinity. Allah, the Almighty, differentiated men with women when the male becomes older and he will show the sign of maleness.
If the baby is female, her face remains hairless as it was, in order to have the beauty and grace that motivates men for the continuation of generations.”
The appearance of hair in the face of man is the sign of his puberty and at the same time the sign of his maleness that distinguishes him from females, because he leaves the level of childhood and the level that the appearance is similar with women. But regarding women, the divine wisdom demanded that their face should be hairless, beautiful and graceful to be the sign of their femaleness as well as being motivating for men and activating their sexual desires. This is what guarantees the continuation of generations. Otherwise, human beings would go out of existence. So glory be to Allah (SwT), the inventor and creator of whole things.
The Structure of Human Body: The Imam (as) talked about the wisdom in the structure of human body, which demonstrates the greatness of the wise creator who depicted human beings in the best manner. The following are among what were mentioned in the monotheism of al-Mufaddhal.
The Erection of Human Body: He said: “O Mofadhel! Look at what Allah specified for the creation of human being honoring and favouring him over beasts. He created him erect directly and to stay straight when he is sitting down in order to take things with his hands and organs. This way he can use them properly and work with them. If he was shackled on his face as beasts, he would not be able to do any of the things that he can currently do.”
Allah created human beings erected when he stands up, with elevated head. He, the Almighty, did not create him as any of his other creatures walking on four legs or on his stomach. The Almighty said: ‘We have already created human being with best structure.’ He also said: ‘And He created you and did that in the best way.’
If human were not able to stand erectly, he would not be able to do his work or to perform what he should for his life. And if he were shackled on his face, it would be very difficult for him to do anything. Blessed be Allah, the best and greatest creator.
Eyes and Sense: He said: “Now Mufaddhal! Look at the senses that human being was granted in his creation and was honoured over others; how the eyes were situated as lamps at the top of the light stand to let him read and they were not placed elsewhere down, such as hands or legs to face difficulties and they would face hurt resulting from direct works and movements. Nor were they placed on organs in the middle of the body, such as stomach or waist, because their twisting would be a problem and the eyes would not be able to be informed about the things going around. So head is chosen as the best place for senses and it is considered as immune place.”
This section of the speech of the Imam (as), talked about what was granted in the human body among the significant features of creation that demonstrates Allah’s (SwT) tremendous power, with which He distinguished human being and honoured him over other creatures. What distinguishes him are his senses that can capture various kinds of senses at the same time. Sight can be mentioned as the first one. Eyes were placed in their special place, where the creativity of invention is clearly displayed.
Allah, the Almighty, covered the eyes with a couple of eyebrows to protect them from high intensity light and rays as well as to protect them from the leak of sweat downwards. Additionally, the Almighty surrounded them with a couple of eyelids and created fair hair to defend them from dust, light and strong light. He, the Almighty, created tear glands to keep the eyes wet and to wash them from dust and external dirt. After the completion of this tear leaking, the additional leakage goes to exit from nose as well as storing some in two places for tears in order to be used when weeping or in some psychical situation.
Regarding the eyes and the constituents, they are among the most significant reason on the existence of a great Creator, inventor and illustrator. The lenses of the eyes capture the image on the retina and manage the muscles mechanically to set the focal point. This network constitutes of nine separated layers. Totally their thickness would not exceed the thickness of a thin, precise sheet.
The layer that is located in the deepest inside is the same layer that involves cylindrical and conical elements. It is said that the number of the cylindrical elements are around thirty millions and the number of cylindrical elements are about three millions. They were all arranged firmly one to another.
Regarding the lens, it is nice to know that they convert the direction of the objects seen. For instance, if you are looking through the lens, you would see the objects upside-down or you will see the left side as the right side and the right side as the left side, but this would make things difficult for you to manage the true things while you are going to do something.
So the things are arranged in a way to perform something when the data are sent through thousands of nerves towards the brain to be processed there. There, our sensory perception uses the heat, which is the way the signals are sent to brain, instead of the light to transfer the sense. That is why the eyes are made sensitive concerning the light and the fact that the lens changes its density in order to gather all the rays in the focal point.
Human being cannot find a single element such as glass to the same. All these configurations for the lens, cylinders, cones, nerves and etc. should have been created at the same time, because before each single element is complete, sightseeing is impossible, so how each single element knows the requirements of the other elements to cope with that condition. Praise be Allah, the illustrator, inventor and the creator who all the thoughts are unable to imagine His great and unlimited power.
Sight and Hearing: He said: “He, the Almighty, created five types of senses in order not to leave anything out. He created the sight to perceive the colours, as if there were colours but the sight could not perceive them, there would be no benefit in it. He created the hearing to perceive sounds, as if there were sounds, but the ears could not perceive them, there would be no benefit in it.
“The same rule applies to the rest of the senses, because this way, everything would be arranged. If there is sight, but there are no colours, the sight does not have any meaning. If there is hearing, but there are no sounds, hearing would be nonsense. Look how the existence of something matches the existence of the other. So, he, the Almighty, created something to be sensed for each sense and for everything which is sensed there is a sense.”
This section of the speech of the Imam (as) talked about the fact the Allah, the Almighty, created the five senses in order to capture every required sense. The Imam (as) also mentioned some of those five senses, which are sight and hearing. He, the Almighty, created the sense of sight to perceive colours and He created the sense of hearing to perceive the available sounds. If there were no sight, there would be no benefit in the existence of colours; and if sounds were created but no hearing was made, there would be no benefit in their existence. Praise be Allah, the great creator and inventor of everything.
Regarding the method of the eyes seeing colours and the way hearing of the sounds is performed, they are presented in the modern medical books.
Lights and Air: The Imam (as) talked about the roles of light in sightseeing and the role of air in hearing. He said: “Nevertheless, something were placed in the middle between the senses and what are sensed. The perceiving procedure is not complete without those things, such as light and air. If there was no light showing the colours to eyes, the eyes could not perceive colours. And if air was not conveying the sounds towards the ears, the ears could not perceive the sounds.
“How could those, having accurate insight and functional consideration, find out something other than the wisdom and methodology of a merciful, kind Creator Who designed this tight match between the senses and what are being sensed, which find each other, in addition to other things completing this chain.”
This section came as a completion to the former parts, showing that, sight and hearing cannot perform their duties without the things in the middle. What can be seen, are seeable through the light reflected from sources such as the light of sun, moon, etc. So the reflected light enters the eyes through the transparent corner of the eyes, passing the focal point and then reaching the retina, displaying the picture of what should be seen. So, there is no sight without the help of light.
The same rule applied to hearing. There is, at most, a distance between the sound and the ears. This distance is full of waves, without which hearing would be impossible.
The Blessings of Hearing and Seeing: The Imam (as) talked about the great blessings of hearing and seeing that Allah (SwT) granted human beings. How unfortunate are those lacking these blessings.
He said: “O Mufaddhal! Think about those lacking the blessing of sight. They would face many difficulties in their lives. They cannot see where they are putting their feet; they cannot see what is going on in front of them; they cannot differentiate among the colours or among the beauty and ugliness; they cannot see the hole in front of them, nor enemies attacking them; they have no ability in doing some sorts of things such as writing and authoring.
“Additionally those lacking the hearing ability lose many things such as the spirit of dialogue and conversation; they lose the enjoyment of hearing nice sad and happy songs and music; it would be very difficult for people to convey their meaning until they leave them; they cannot hear anything from the news about people and their talks, just like one who is available physically but actually absent.
“It is quite natural that this situation really darkens the life and makes it very difficult to get along with. So, how a great and magnificent blessing it is. No one would ever knows its value unless those losing it. No one would ever consider its need, unless those lacking it. Glory to Allah, the creator and grantor of these blessings.”
Losing any of these couple of senses will result in the misbalanced lives of humans. He will be someone who cannot actually value his life, because he cannot perceive completely what is happening. He cannot differentiate among the colours and cannot notice a hole in his way. He cannot defend himself facing enemies. And it is difficult for him to do many of the necessary cases in life, such as the works related to industry, writing and doing business.
Additionally, one, who does not hear, loses the enjoyment of dialogue and conversation with people. He also cannot approach some sciences that are based on speech. How great are the blessings of Allah for humans when granting him these couple of boons.
The Blessing of Mind: Allah (SwT) has distinguished human beings from other live creatures with mind, which is the greatest and the most significant system of human beings. The Imam (as) talked about this, saying: “One who loses his mind, will degrade to the level of beasts and he may even lack what beasts are following. Do you see how organs, brain, and the rest of the body systems are guiding human to what is his benefit and advantage? If anything happens to him, he will lose many of his powers and that will be very damaging. He, the Almighty, granted the best to human beings. He verily created everything by wisdom and knowledge.”
The brain is among the best blessings and from the most magnificent boons that Allah (SwT) specified to human beings. It is what brings all the good and keeps him away from all the bad in this life. It is with the brain that Allah (SwT) is obeyed. And it is through the brain that human beings can reach the level of perfection and excellence.
The Organs, Single and Coupled: The Imam (as) talked about the wisdom of Allah, the Almighty, in creating single and coupled organs, saying: “O Mufaddhal! Think about the organs, which were created single or coupled, and the corresponding wisdom and knowledge. Head is among the single organs as there is no benefit for human to have more than one.
“Do you not see that having an additional head would make an unnecessary heaviness? This is because all the necessary senses are gathered in a single head. If human had two heads, he would be divided in two. For instance, if one of them is talking, the second one will be inactive or useless. If they are all talking in the same way, then the existence of one is enough. If each one is speaking on their own way, then the listener will understand nothing and this will result in confusion.
Hands are among what are created in two. It was not beneficial to have just one hand, because this results in defect and difficulty in many of the things that human beings need to perform. Can you imagine the case that a carpenter or a builder loses one of his hands? He will not be able to do his work, or his work will decease in quality and quantity comparing the time when his hands are helping each other.”
Allah (SwT) has created human beings in the best manner and designed him with best figures and features. He, the Almighty, created his organs best suiting his face. He created a couple of hands and a couple of legs, because human’s life would not be possible otherwise. He created one heart, one liver and one head. This is because there is no necessity for the existence of the second one. Glory be to Allah the best creator.
Sound and Speech: He said: “Think much about sounds and speech and the provision of the tool for human beings. Throat is just like a pipe to emit sounds. Tongue, lips and teeth are good for management of letters and songs. Did you notice ones, who lost their teeth, and cannot pronounce the letter ‘C’ and ones who have problem in their lips cannot pronounce ‘F’ and ones who have problem in their tongue cannot pronounce ‘R.’
“The system is just like fife. Throat is similar to the cane of fife. Lung is similar to the skin that one is blowing inside to enter the air. The muscle that create pressure on lung to emit the sound are similar to the fingers which are placed on the holes in order to allow the air to blow inside the fife. Lips and teeth, which are managing the sound letter by letter or just like a song, are similar to fingers, which are different in the entrance of the fife. This way the melody is created. Nevertheless, it is clear human sound is different from that of fife, but it was just an example. In fact the fife is just something as an example to compare to the way human sound is uttered.”
It is Allah’s (SwT) blessing that He taught mankind how to speak and distinguish them from other creatures by this feature.
