BELIEFS - Islamic Teachings in Brief [Electronic resources] نسخه متنی

BELIEFS

DISCUSSION CONCERNING ORIGINOF CREATION IS
NATURAL

With his Allah-given instinct, man searches for the
reasons and causes leading to the appearance of any phenomenon or
occurrence that he sees. He never thinks it probable that they have come
into existence automatically and without any cause, i.e., accidentally. A
driver whose car stops functioning gets off to check where he suspects it
is impaired in order to find the cause for the halt. He never believes
that the car, with its complete readiness to move, would stop without any
reason. When he wants to get the car going, he uses the facilities that
are installed in the car and never relies on chances.

If man becomes hungry, he thinks of bread. When thirsty,
he searches for water. If he feels cold, he feels the necessity of clothes
or, for instance, fire and is never satisfied by relying on chances. One
who wants to construct a building naturally engages in finding building
materials, masons, and labourers. He does not have the slightest hope that
his project would be implemented automatically.

Mountains, forests, and vast seas have existed on earth
alongside human beings as long as they have been on earth. They have
always seen the sun, the moon, and the bright stars with their orderly and
permanent movements in the sky.

In spite of all this, the scientists of the world have
constantly discussed the reasons and causes for the existence of these
wonderful creatures and phenomena with tireless exploration. They never
say that they have seen these in the same condition from the beginning of
their lives and so they have developed automatically.

This inquisitive instinct and discussion on causes and
means compels man to pry into the appearance of the world of creation and
its astonishing system. Man wonders whether this vast world which is, in
fact, a great phenomenon and which has related and harmonious components,
has evolved automatically or it has originated due to other causes.

Does an infinite might and knowledge govern this
astonishing system which operates according to established and
unexceptional rules all over the world and which leads everything to its
particular goal and destination, or it has come into existence by an
accident and a chance?

AFFIRMATION OF THE CREATOR

When man uses his realistic instincts, he finds many
evidences for the existence of the Maker and Creator of the world in every
nook and corner of the world of creation. With his realistic instinct, man
realizes that creatures, that are blessed with existence, that willingly
or unwillingly tread a specific path, and that after a while give their
places to others, have not themselves given the blessing of life. The
orderly way that the creatures traverse has not been created by
themselves. They do not have the least contribution in creation and
organization of the path of their own existence. This is because man has
not adopted and chosen humanity and human characteristics, rather he has
been created and has been endowed with human traits. In like manner, the
realistic nature of man never accepts that all objects have evolved
automatically by an accident and the system in their existence is
perfunctory and without purpose, although man's conscience would not
accept such an occurrence even in a few bricks neatly piled up. Therefore,
man's realistic instinct declares that the world of existence undoubtedly
has a basis which is the origin of existence and the creator and preserver
of the world. This infinite existence and origin of knowledge and might is
Allah from whom the system of existence emanates. The Almighty Allah
states:

"...He Who gave to everything its creation, then
guided it (to its goal) (20:50)."

THEISM AND PEOPLES

In the present era, the majority of people on earth
are religious and believe in Allah Who has created the world and worship
Him.

Ancient man also had the conditions of modern man. So
long as history shows, the majority of men were pious and believed in the
existence of Allah. Although differences of opinion existed among theistic
and pious societies and each tribe described the origin of creation with
particular epithets, they unanimously agreed on the essence of the
subject. Not only Islam, but also other religions such as Christianity,
Judaism, Maganism, and Buddhism are of the same opinion and belief about
this matter. Those who deny the existence of the Creator do not have
convincing proof and would never have one for their denial. In fact, they
say they have no reason for Allah's existence, rather than saying they
have proof for His non-existence.

A materialistic man says: "I do not know." and does not
say "He does not exist." In other words, a materialistic person is
doubtful and does not deny.

The Almighty Allah states:

"And they say: There is nothing but our life in this
world; we live and die and nothing destroys us but time, and they have no
knowledge of that. they only conjecture (45:24)."

Even in the most ancient works discovered from primitive
men, signs of religion and theism can be found. There are evidences that
primitive men believed in metaphysics.

Even in the relatively new continents such as America an
d Australia and the far off islands of the old continent discovered in
recent centuries, the natives were theist. They proved an origin for the
world of creation by juxtaposing their views, although the history has
never found their relation with the ancient world.

Reflection in this subject that belief in Allah has
always existed in man elucidates that theism is innate in man. With his
Allah-given nature, man proves the existence of Allah for the creation of
the world. The Holy Qur'an points out to this congenital characteristic of
man:

"And if you should ask them who created them, they
would certainly say: Allah ... (43:87)."

Qur'an also states:

"And if you ask them who created the heavens and the
earth, they will certainly say: Allah ... (31:25)."

THE
EFFECT OF THIS INQUISITIVENESSIN MAN'S LIFE

If man positively answers questions about the Creator
of the world and the Founder of its system which become manifest for him
on the basis of his truth-seeking nature, he will prove an eternal origin
for the creation of the world and the continuity of its wonderful system.
He will also connect everything to His invincible determination which
depends on Allah's infinite power and knowledge.

Consequently, man will find a kind of warmth and
hopefulness in him. In the course of the difficulties and obstacles of his
life and problems that preclude his seeking a remedy, he would never feel
completely disappointed. This is because he knows that any means and
causes, no matter how powerful, are controlled by the Almighty Allah and
everything is under Allah's command. Such a person never submits to means
and causes. Even when he sees everything to his advantage, he does not
become proud and selfish, so as to forget his position and that of the
world. This is due to the fact that he is cognizant that superficial means
and causes do not operate on their own and proceed according to the order
of the Almighty Allah. Finally, such a person conceives that in the world
of existence, he must not pay homage to none but Allah; he must not fully
acquiesce to any orders except Allah's commands.

He who replies negatively to the aforementioned
questions, however, is devoid of this hopefulness, realism, magnanimity,
and congenital intrepidity.

Thus we see that the role of suicide increases daily
among nations dominated by materialism. Those whose sole attachment is to
tangible means and causes become disappointed by the slightest
inconvenience and commit suicide. On the other hand, people endowed with
the blessing of theism never lose their faith even on the verge of death.
They are confident and hopeful of Allah's might and blessings.

In the last hours of his life, when the swords of enemy
aimed at him from every direction, Imam Husayn (AS) stated: "The only
factor which alleviates this affliction is Allah's incessant observation
of my endeavours." In several verses, the Holy Qur'an stipulates this
truth:

"Surely those who say: 'Our Lord is Allah, then they
continue on the right way, they shall have no fear nor shall they grieve'
(46:13)."

"Those who believe and whose hearts are set at rest by
the remembrance of Allah; now surely by Allah's remembrance are the hearts
set at rest (13:28)."

THEISM FROM THE VIEWPOINT OF QUR'AN

A suckling who touches his m other's breasts by his
hands, sucks the breasts to get milk. In fact, he wants milk, and if he
takes something by his hands, in order to eat it, he will direct it to his
mouth. His main objective is eating and if he finds that he has made a
mistake, because what he has taken is not edible, he discards it. In like
manner, man seeks truth in whatever course of action he takes. Whenever he
finds that he has erred and has done wrong, he suffers and regrets the
futile hardship he endured for an erroneous action. Finally, man always
abstains from mistake and error and tries to get to the reality as much as
he can.

This sheds light on the fact that man is by nature and
instinct a realist; i.e., willingly or unwillingly, he always seeks the
reality and follows truth. Man has not learned this instinctive
disposition from anyone and anywhere. If at times, man shows obstinacy and
refuses to accept the truth, it is because he has been entangled with
mistake and error without finding truth and piety. If he had found them,
he would not have followed the path of error.

Sometimes, too, man suffers from a psychological ailment
due to carnal desires. This converts the sweet taste of truth into
bitterness. Then although he is acquainted with the truth he does not
follow it. Even though he admits the rightfulness of truth and confesses
the necessity of abiding by it, he refrains from submission. This is
similar to recurrent events in which due to addiction to harmful things,
man suppresses his human instinct (which is removal of danger and an
escape from loss) and embarks on an action that is detrimental (like those
addicted to tobacco, alcohol, narcotics).

The Holy Qur'an invites man towards realism and adherence
of truth. Qur'an insists on this matter and, in various ways, asks
different people to keep their realistic instinct and adherence with truth
alive.

The Almighty Allah states:

"...And what is thereafter the truth but
error...(10:32)."

Allah also states:

"Most surely man is in loss, except those who believe
and do good and enjoin on each other truth and enjoin on each other
patience (103:2-3)."

Clearly, all these enjoinments by Allah show that if man
does not keep his realistic instinct alive and if he does not strive to
follow truth and reality, he would not be satisfied with his prosperity
and happiness and would follow any lustful and pleasant expressions and
endeavours. Consequently, he would be tied down by absurd thoughts and
superstitions. Then, like a quadruped animal that has lost its way (which
is man's asset), he will be the victim of his carnal desires and
unrestrainedness due to his ignorance.

The Almighty Allah states:

"Have you seen him who takes his low desires for his
god? Will you then be a protector over him? Or do you think that most of
them do hear or understand? They are nothing but as cattle. nay, they are
straying farther off from the path (25:43-44)."

In brief the Almighty Allah says: How do you feel about
people who worship their carnal desires? Do you think you can improve and
educate these people. Do you think they listen and understand? They are
more deviated than cattle. However, once their real human instinct revives
and the spirit of following the truth starts functioning, the facts would
be illuminating for them one after the other and whatever truth and fact
become clear for them, they would accept readily. Everyday, they would
take a fresh step in the path of bliss and prosperity.