Monday, March 30, 2020

Doctrines of Islam Handout 04 (Teleological Argument)

Outline

a.      Arguments for the Existence of God
                                                              i.      Argument from Design/Teleological Argument
1.     Historical background
2.     Qur’an and Hadith (Tradition of Mufaddal and the story of lady with spinning machine)
3.     Definition of Order and Design and their relation to telos (goal or end)
4.     Mechanic and Organic design (the question of life)
5.     Problems of Teleological argument
a.      Mathematical possibility of accidental design and order (design by Chance)
c.      Evolution: Nature behind the design (not God)


Related verses from Qur'an

Indeed in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day, and the ships that sail at sea with profit to men, and the water that God sends down from the sky with which He revives the earth after its death, and scatters therein every kind of animal and the changing of the winds, and the clouds disposed between the sky and the earth, are surely signs for a people who apply reason. 2:164
Indeed in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of night and day, there are signs for those who possess intellects. Those who remember God … and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth [and say] "Our Lord, You have not created this in vain! Immaculate are You! Save us from the punishment of the Fire. 3:190-191
He created seven heavens in layers. You do not see any discordance in the creation of the All-beneficent. Look again! Do you see any flaw? 67:3
Our Lord is He who gave everything its creation and then guided it. 20:50
Among His signs are the creation of Heaven and Earth, as well as the diversity in your tongues and colors. In that are signs for those who know. 30:22
Splitter of the dawn, He has made the night for rest, and the sun and the moon for calculation. That is the ordaining of the All-mighty, the All-knowing. 6:96
It is He who made the sun a radiance and the moon a light, and ordained its phases that you might know the number of years and the calculation of time. God did not create all that except with reason. He elaborates the signs for a people who have knowledge. 10:5
God is the One Who has raised up the Heavens without any support you can see. Then He mounted on the Throne and regulated the sun and moon; each runs along on a specific course. He directs the matter; He manifests signs so that you may be convinced about meeting your Lord. 13:2


Book Excerpts

Existence of God in Mizan al-Hikma (Hadith Collection)

Order & Intellect by Ayt. Makarem Shirazi

Tradition of Mufaddal (Complete Translation)

‌Bibliographical Description of Tradition of Mufaddal

Hume's objections against the Teleological Argument

Webpage Links



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