When I picked up “The God Delusion” by Richard Dawkins, I was expecting to encounter new reasons put forward to form a positive case for the Atheist

1. Respond to what Dawkins considers his central argument;
2. Respond to what Philosophers consider his best argument.

Responding to what Dawkins considers his central argument

On pages 157-158 of “The God Delusion,” Dawkins summarises what he calls “the central argument of my book”:

1. One of the greatest challenges to the human intellect has been to explain how the complex, improbable appearance of design in the universe arises.
2. The natural temptation is to attribute the appearance of design to actual design itself.
3. The temptation is a false one because the designer hypothesis immediately raises the larger problem of who designed the designer.
4. The most ingenious and powerful explanation is Darwinism evolution by natural selection and we don’t have an equivalent explanation for physics.
5. We should not give up the hope of a better explanation arising in physics, something as powerful as Darwinism is for biology.

God almost certainly does not exist.

Preliminary Note

Before I go into Dawkins’ main points, I would like to address his conclusion “God almost certainly does not exist.” My main issue is – how does he conclude that God doesn’t exist from the above statements? It seems to me that his conclusion just jumps out of thin air, to infer that God does not exist just shows how invalid his argument is. It seems to me that the only delusion is Dawkins’ conviction that his argument is “a very serious argument against God’s existence.”

If we could conclude anything from Dawkins’ argument it would be that we should not infer that God exists based on the design of the universe. However, even if that is true, it doesn’t mean that God doesn’t exist; we can believe in God’s existence from other arguments, which include:

• The argument from morality;
• The miracle of the Qur’an;
• The cosmological argument;
• The argument from personal experience;
• The argument from consciousness.

If we were to accept all of Dawkins’ statements, it would not be enough to reject the idea that God exists, and it certainly does not provide a case for Atheism. However, many of his statements are false. Let us take his statements and respond accordingly.

Statement #1: One of the greatest challenges to the human intellect has been to explain how the complex, improbable appearance of design in the universe arises.

I believe that it is only a challenge if you wish to take God out of the picture. It is indeed a challenge if you presume atheism to be true. However for someone who is reflective and thinks deeply about things, I think the simplest and the best explanation – with the greatest explanatory power – is that there is a supernatural designer. The next point will address why God makes sense of the design in the universe.

Statement #2: The natural temptation is to attribute the appearance of design to actual design itself.

This is not only a natural temptation but a rational conclusion brought to light based upon the fine-tuning of the initial conditions of the universe. Let me start off by presenting the premises of this argument:

1. The fine-tuning of the universe to permit life is due to physical necessity, chance, or design.
2. It is not due to physical necessity or chance.
3. Therefore, it is due to design.

Explaining Premise One

The existence of a life permitting universe is due to conditions that must have been fined-tuned to a degree that is literally incalculable. Take the following examples:

• The Strength of Gravity & the Atomic Weak Force: Physicist P. C. W. Davies has calculated that a change in the strength of gravity or of the atomic weak force by only one part in 10100 would have prevented a life permitting universe.
• Big Bang’s Low Entropy Condition: Roger Penrose of Oxford University has calculated that the odds of the Big Bang’s low entropy condition existing by chance are on the order of one out of 1010 (123). Penrose comments, “I cannot even recall seeing anything else in physics whose accuracy is known to approach, even remotely, a figure like one part in 1010 (123).”
• Volume of the phase space of possible universes: Roger Penrose of Oxford University states “In order to produce a universe resembling the one in which we live, the Creator would have to aim for an absurdly tiny volume of the phase space of possible universes” Now, how tiny is this volume? According to Penrose the volume of the phase space would be 1/10 to the power of X which is 10123. This is smaller than the ratio of a Proton! This precision is much, much greater than the precision that would be required to hit an individual proton if the entire universe were a dartboard!There are only three possible explanations for the presence of the above fine tuning of the universe:

1. Physical necessity;
2. Chance;
3. Design.

Why it cannot be Physical Necessity

The first alternative seems extraordinarily implausible. There is just no physical reason why these constants and quantities should have the values they do. As P. C. W. Davies states:“Even if the laws of physics were unique, it doesn’t follow that the physical universe itself is unique…the laws of physics must be augmented by cosmic initial conditions…there is nothing in present ideas about ‘laws of initial conditions’ remotely to suggest that their consistency with the laws of physics would imply uniqueness. Far from it…it seems, then, that the physical universe does not have to be the way it is: it could have been otherwise.”

Additionally if anyone was to take the view that the fine-tuning of the universe to permit life is due to physical necessity that would mean that it would be impossible to have a universe not fit for life! However as can be seen by the examples above, a slight change of any of the values or constants would mean the universe could not permit life.

Why it cannot be Chance

Some people who do not understand the impossibility of the universe coming into being by chance exclaim, “It could have happened by chance!” However would they say chance explains how an elephant was sleeping in their garage overnight? Or how a 747 ended up parked in their garden?

Even after their irrational perspective is highlighted, they still hold on to the theory that the universe can exist due to chance. In response to this I would argue that it is not just about chance but something the theorists call “specified probability.” Specified probability is a probability that also conforms to an independent pattern. To illustrate this, imagine you have a monkey in a room for twenty-four hours, typing a way on your laptop. In the morning you enter the room and you see, “O Romeo, O Romeo, where art thou O Romeo? Deny thy father and deny thy name…” The monkey has miraculously written out a Shakespearian sonnet! What you may have expected is random words such as “house,” “car,” and “apple.” However, in this case not only have you seen the improbability of typing intelligible English words – but they also conform to the independent pattern of English grammar! This is the same case with accepting that the fine-tuning of the universe to permit life was just by chance.

It must be Design

Since premises one and two are true, it follows that supernatural design is the most reasonable explanation for the fine-tuning of the universe to permit life.

Statement #3: The temptation is a false one because the designer hypothesis immediately raises the larger problem of who designed the designer.

The above statement, which is a contention to the design argument is flawed for two main reasons. First, anyone with a basic understanding of the philosophy of science will conclude that in the inference to the best explanation, the best explanation does not require an explanation! The following example illustrates this point.Imagine 500 years from now, a group of archaeologists start digging in London’s Hyde Park only to find parts of a car and a bus. They would be completely justified in inferring that these finds were not the result of sedimentation and metamorphosis but products of an unknown civilization. However if some skeptics were to argue that we cannot make such inferences because we do not know anything about this civilization, how they lived and who created them, would that make the archaeologists conclusions untrue? Of course not!

Second, if we take this contention seriously it could undermine the very foundations of science and philosophy themselves. If we require an explanation for the basic assumptions of science, for example that the external world exists, where do you think our level of scientific progress would be?

Additionally if we were to apply this type of question to every attempt at explaining the explanation, we would end up with an infinite regression of explanations. And an infinite regression of explanations would defeat the whole purpose of science in the first place – which is to provide an explanation!

A Note on Rejecting the Supernatural

Dawkins’ also rejects a supernatural designer because he thinks, as an explanation, it lack explanatory power; in other words, no advance is made. He raises this objection because he feels that a supernatural designer is just as complex as design. However Dawkins’ objection is problematic as he assumes that a supernatural designer is as complex as the universe. But a supernatural designer, in other words God, is one of the simplest concepts understood by all. This opinion is expressed by many Philosophers including the famous atheist turned theist Professor Anthony Flew.

Dawkins’ other assumption is that God is made of many parts; however, God is immaterial, transcendent and one. Just because God can do complex things does not make him complex, it seems to me that Dawkins confuses ability with nature. In other words, just because God can do complex things (such as creating the universe) it does not make His nature complex.

So it stands to reason that God is the simplest, and therefore the best, explanation.

Statement #4: The most ingenious and powerful explanation is Darwinism evolution by natural selection and and we don’t have an equivalent explanation for physics.

This statement is irrelevant due to the following reasons:

1. Evolution does not have its foot in the door;
2. Evolution is based upon incalculable probabilities;
3. Evolution is impossible because we have not spent enough time on Earth yet.

Let me expand upon these points.

1. Evolution does not have its foot in the door

With regards to the existence of God, evolution does not even have its foot in the door; it’s about nine billion years away if we use the fine-tuning argument mentioned above. Simply put, evolution has no say.

2. Evolution is based upon incalculable probabilities

The odds against assembling the human genome spontaneously are incalculable. The probability of assembling the genome is between 4-180 to 4-110,000 and 4-360 to 4-110,000. These numbers give some feel for the unlikelihood of the species Homo sapiens. And if anyone were to accept evolution by chance, they would have to believe in a miracle as these numbers are so high! Therefore evolution itself would prove the existence of God!

3. Evolution is impossible because we have not had enough time on Earth yet

According to John D. Barrow and Frank J. Tipler, the calculated odds of assembling a single gene are between and 4-180 to 4-360. The implications of this are that there simply has not been sufficient time since the formation of the earth to try a number of nucleotide base combinations that can even remotely compare to these numbers!

Statement #5: We should not give up the hope of a better explanation arising in physics, something as powerful as Darwinism is for biology.

Dawkins basically says that since there is a naturalistic explanation for the apparent design in species and we do not have a similar explanation for physics, we should just wait. Does this not sound like blind faith to you? The statement presumes scientific naturalism to be the only way of establishing facts or sound conclusions. Why else would he want to wait for a naturalistic explanation?Dawkins’ presumption that scientific naturalism is the only way to establish facts is not true because scientific naturalism cannot prove:

1. Logical truths such as mathematics – in actuality, logical truths are required to prove scientific naturalism. To argue the other way round would be tantamount to arguing in a circle.
2. Aesthetic truths such as beauty.
3. Moral truths such as right and wrong.

Finally, scientific naturalism is self-defeating as the statement “scientific naturalism is the only method to use to establish facts” cannot be proven using scientific naturalism!

It can be seen from the above that Dawkins’ central argument fails and is an embarrassment to the scientific community, as atheist Philosopher Michael Ruse explains, “…unlike the new atheists, I take scholarship seriously. I have written that The God Delusion made me ashamed to be an atheist and I meant it. Trying to understand how God could need no cause, Christians claim that God exists necessarily. I have taken the effort to try to understand what that means. Dawkins and company are ignorant of such claims and positively contemptuous of those who even try to understand them, let alone believe them. Thus, like a first-year undergraduate, he can happily go around asking loudly, “What caused God?” as though he had made some momentous philosophical discovery.”

Responding to what Philosophers consider his best argument

According to Philosopher and lecturer at Yale University, Gregory E. Granssle, Dawkins’ strongest argument can be found on page 55: “A universe with a creative superintendent would be a very different kind of universe from one without.”

Dawkins’ argument can be summarised in the following way:

1. A universe created by God would be different than the one created by nature;
2. The universe we live in fits better to a universe created by nature;
3. Therefore the universe we live in is most likely to have been created by nature.

I would argue that Dawkins’ argument couldn’t be any further away from the truth; this is because the universe that we live in actually makes more sense being created by God for the following reasons.

1. The universe is ordered and open to rational anaylsis

If God did not exist, the universe would not display the order it does, and it would not be finely-tuned to permit our existence. Professor Roger Penrose states, “There is a certain sense in which I would say the universe has a purpose. It’s not there just somehow by chance…I don’t think that’s a very fruitful or helpful way of looking at the universe.”

Additionally, the very fact that we can observe and perform rational analysis on the patterns we perceive in the universe makes more sense if God did exist, because in a naturalistic universe things would be expected to be more chaotic. This does not mean a universe without a God could not be ordered; however it is more likely that God would create an ordered universe, and since the universe we live in is ordered it makes sense that God’s existence fits well with our universe

2. The universe contains conscious and aware beings
A universe that contains consciousness and awareness makes sense with the existence of God. A universe without a God would be very different to the one we are living in.

Explanation

Human beings experience things all the time. This article you are reading is an experience; even talking about your experience is an experience. However the ultimate reality that we know from any experience is the one who experiences it – in other words ourselves. When we realise that there is a first-person, an “I”, “me” or “mine,” we come to face a profound mystery. The Philosopher Roy Abraham Varghese puts it nicely when he wrote, “To reverse Descartes, ‘I am, therefore I think…’ Who is this ‘I’? ‘Where’ is it? How did it come to be? Your self is not just something physical.”

The self is not a physical thing; it is not contained in any cell or biological structure. The most unchallenged and intuitive reality is that we are all aware, but we cannot describe or explain what this awareness is. One thing that we can be sure of is that the self cannot be explained biologically or chemically. The main reason for this is that science does not discover the self; it is actually the other way round. For science to try and explain the truth of the self would be tantamount to arguing in a circle! Even scientists recognise this; the physicist Gerald Schroeder points out that there is no real difference between a heap of sand and the brain of an Einstein. The advocates of a physical explanation for the self end up in a muddle as they require answers to even bigger questions, such as “How can certain bits of matter suddenly create a new reality that has no resemblance to matter?”

So if the self cannot be explained physically then the next question must be asked: “How did it come to be?” The history of the universe indicates that consciousness spontaneously arose, and language emerged without any evolutionary forerunner. So where did it come from? Even the neo-atheists have failed to come to terms with the nature of the self and its source, because no physical explanation is coherent enough to be convincing. Even Richard Dawkins almost admits defeat concerning the self and consciousness; he states, “We don’t know. We don’t understand it.”

The best explanation for the nature and source of the self is that it came from a source that is thinking, aware and conscious. How else can the self, which is an entity with a capacity to reflect and experience, manifest itself? It cannot have come from unconscious matter incapable to experience and ponder. Simply put, matter cannot produce concepts and perceptions, therefore we can conclude that the self cannot have a material basis but must have come from a living source that transcends the material world; and this is best explained by God. No other answer provides an adequate explanation for this phenomenon.

3. The universe contains objective morality

We all believe that killing 6 million Jews during World War II was morally wrong, however not only do we believe it was morally wrong we believe it was objectively morally wrong. What I mean by objective is that if the Nazis had successfully taken over Europe and brainwashed us to believe that it was ok to commit genocide, it would still be objectively morally wrong regardless of human experience. However since our universe contains objective morality then it can only make sense with God’s existence, because God is required as rational basis for objective morality. Without God morality is subjective, because God is the only conceptual anchor that transcends human subjectivity. So the universe with objective morality makes no sense without God. In this light the Muslim or theist may argue:

1. If God does not exist, then objective moral values do not exist;
2. The universe with objective moral values does exist;
3. Therefore, God exists.

Explaining the key premise

The question about objective good or bad, in other words objective morality, has been discussed by many theists and non-theists alike. Many have concluded that there is no objective morality without God. Humanist philosopher Paul Kurtz aptly puts it as,“The central question about moral and ethical principles concerns this ontological foundation. If they are neither derived from God nor anchored in some transcendent ground, are they purely ephemeral?”

Paul Kurtz is right; God is the only conceptual anchor that transcends human subjectivity, so without God there is no rational basis for objective morality. To explain this further let us discuss alternative conceptual foundations for morality.

In God’s absence, there are only two alternative conceptual foundations

1. Social pressure

2. Evolution

Both social pressures and evolution provide no objective basis for morality as they both claim that our morality is contingent on changes: biological and social. Therefore morality cannot be binding – true regardless of who believes in them. Therefore without God, there is no objective basis for morality. God as a concept is not subjective, therefore having God as the basis for morality makes them binding and objective, because God transcends human subjectivity. The following statement by Richard Taylor, an eminent ethicist, correctly concludes,

“Contemporary writers in ethics, who blithely discourse upon moral right and wrong and moral obligation without any reference to religion, are really just weaving intellectual webs from thin air; which amounts to saying that they discourse without meaning.”

Since the universe contains objective morality, and Gods existence is necessary as a conceptual foundation for objective morals, then the universe we live in makes sense with the existence of God.

A Quick Note on Religious “Evils”

Before I conclude I would like to highlight that a response to Dawkins’ other contentions with the concept of God and religious life. Dawkins seems to attribute all the negative and evil things to religion. However there is a strong argument that these things are not unique to religion itself, but the common conceptual dominator is humanity. This is summarised well by Keith Ward, the former Regius Professor of Divinity at the University of Oxford, he writes, ‘“It is very difficult to think of any organised human activity that could not be corrupted…The lesson is that anti-religious corruptions and religious corruptions are both possible. There is no magic system or belief, not even belief in liberal democracy, which can be guaranteed to prevent it.”

To illustrate this let me use the outdated cliché of “religions are the cause war and conflict” and show how war and conflict are not unique to religions. In the relatively short history of secularism the following massacres have committed in the name of non-religious ideologies such a communism and social-Darwinism:

• 70,000,000 under chairman Mao
• 20,000,000 under Stalin
• 2,000,000 no longer exist because of Pol Pot
• 700,000 innocent Iraqi’s in the current occupation
• 500,000 Iraqi children in the 10 year sanctions

So it can be clearly seen above that war and conflict are not religious monopolies, rather they are human phenomena and not unique to religion.

Conclusion

This article attempted to respond to Richard Dawkins’ best-seller “The God Delusion” by responding to his central argument and the argument that Philosophers consider to be his best. However, intellectual gymnastics – no matter how truthful – seldom convinces others, so I thought it would best to allow the expression of God – the Qur’an – to have the final say. In the wonderful eloquence and sublime style God says,

In the creation of the heavens and Earth, and the alternation of the night and day, and the ships which sail the seas to people’s benefit, and the water which God sends down from the sky – by which He brings the Earth to life when it was dead and scatters about in it creatures of every kind – and the varying direction of the winds, and the clouds subservient between heaven and Earth, there are signs for people who use their intellect. Qur’an, 2:164

Source: Hamza Tzortzis

The Muslim should not doubt, even for an instant, that what Allaah has prescribed is wise. He should know that there is great wisdom in what Allaah has commanded and what He has forbidden; it is the straight path and is the only way in which man can be safe and at peace, protecting his honour, his mind and his health, in accordance with the natural disposition (fitrah) with which Allaah has created man.

Some heretics have tried to attack Islam and its rulings; they have denounced divorce and plural marriage and permitted alcohol. Those who look at the state of their societies will see the state of misery which those societies have reached.

When they rejected divorce, murder took its place. When they rejected plural marriage, men started to take mistresses instead. When they allowed alcohol, all kinds of shameful and immoral actions became widespread.

They (gays and lesbians) both go against the natural disposition (fitrah) which Allaah has created in mankind – and also in animals – whereby the male is inclined towards the female, and vice versa. Whoever goes against that goes against the natural disposition of mankind, the fitrah.

The spread of homosexuality has caused many diseases which neither the east nor the west can deny exist because of them. Even if the only result of this perversion was AIDS – which attacks the immune system in humans – that would be enough. It also causes the breakup of the family and leads people to give up their work and study because they are preoccupied with these perversions.

Since the prohibition has come from his Lord, the Muslim should not wait until medicine proves that harm befalls the one who does that which Allaah has forbidden. Rather he must believe firmly that Allaah only prescribes that which is good for people, and these modern discoveries should only increase his certainty and confidence in the greatness of Allaah’s wisdom.

Ibn al-Qayyim said:

Both of them – fornication and homosexuality – involve immorality that goes against the wisdom of Allaah’s creation and commandment. For homosexuality involves innumerable evil and harms, and the one to whom it is done would be better off being killed than having this done to him, because after that he will become so evil and so corrupt that there can be no hope of his being reformed, and all good is lost for him, and he will no longer feel any shame before Allaah or before His creation. The semen of the one who did that to him will act as a poison on his body and soul. The scholars differed as to whether the one to whom it is done will ever enter Paradise. There are two opinions which I heard Shaykh al-Islam (may Allaah have mercy on him) narrate.”

(al-Jawaab al-Kaafi, p. 115).

2. Lesbianism means one woman doing to another something like that which a man does to a woman. Homosexuality means having intercourse with males in the back passage. This was the action of the accursed people of the Prophet of Allaah Loot (peace be upon him). In sharee’ah terminology it refers to inserting the tip of the penis into the anus of a male.

What is mentioned concerning these actions in the Qur’aan and Sunnah:

A – Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And (remember) Loot (Lot), when he said to his people: ‘Do you commit the worst sin such as none preceding you has committed in the ‘Aalameen (mankind and jinn)? Verily, you practise your lusts on men instead of women. Nay, but you are a people transgressing beyond bounds (by committing great sins)’[al-A’raaf 7:80-81]

B –

“Verily, We sent against them a violent storm of stones (which destroyed them all), except the family of Loot (Lot), them We saved in the last hour of the night” [al-Qamar 54:34 – interpretation of the meaning]

C –

“And (remember) Loot (Lot), when he said to his people: ‘Do you commit the worst sin such as none preceding you has committed in the ‘Aalameen (mankind and jinn)?” [al-A’raaf 7:80 – interpretation of the meaning]

And Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And (remember) Loot (Lot), when he said to his people: ‘You commit Al?Faahishah (sodomy the worst sin) which none has preceded you in (committing) it in the ‘Aalameen (mankind and jinn)’” [al-‘Ankaboot 29:28]

D –

“And (remember) Loot (Lot), We gave him Hukm (right judgement of the affairs and Prophethood) and (religious) knowledge, and We saved him from the town (folk) who practised Al?Khabaa’ith (evil, wicked and filthy deeds). Verily, they were a people given to evil, and were Faasiqoon (rebellious, disobedient to Allaah)” [al-Anbiya’ 21:74 – interpretation of the meaning]

E –

“And (remember) Loot (Lot)! When he said to his people, ‘Do you commit Al?Faahishah (evil, great sin, every kind of unlawful sexual intercourse, sodomy) while you see (one another doing evil without any screen) Do you practise your lusts on men instead of women? Nay, but you are a people who behave senselessly.’ There was no other answer given by his people except that they said: ‘Drive out the family of Loot (Lot) from your city. Verily, these are men who want to be clean and pure!’ So We saved him and his family, except his wife. We destined her to be of those who remained behind. And We rained down on them a rain (of stones). So evil was the rain of those who were warned” [al-Naml 27:54-58 – interpretation of the meaning]

These verses refer to the punishment that befell the people of Loot. With regard to the rulings on them:

F – Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning]:

“And the two persons (man and woman) among you who commit illegal sexual intercourse, hurt them both. And if they repent (promise Allaah that they will never repeat, i.e. commit illegal sexual intercourse and other similar sins) and do righteous good deeds, leave them alone. Surely, Allaah is Ever All-Forgiving (the One Who forgives and accepts repentance), (and He is) Most Merciful” [al-Nisa’ 4:16]

Ibn Katheer said:

“The words of Allaah ‘And the two persons (man and woman) among you who commit illegal sexual intercourse, hurt them both’ mean, those who commit immoral actions, punish them both. Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him), Sa’eed ibn Jubayr and others said: By condemning them, shaming them and hitting them with shoes. This was the ruling until Allaah abrogated it and replaced it with whipping and stoning. ‘Ikrimah, ‘Ata, al-Hasan and ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Katheer said: This was revealed concerning a man and woman who commit fornication. Al-Saddi said, it was revealed concerning young people before they get married. Mujaahid said: it was revealed concerning two men if they admit it bluntly; a hint is not sufficient – as if he was referring to homosexuality. And Allaah knows best.” (Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 1/463).

G – It was narrated that Jaabir (may Allaah be pleased with him): “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘There is nothing I fear for my ummah more than the deed of the people of Loot.’” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 1457; Ibn Maajah, 2563. This hadeeth was classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani (may Allaah have mercy on him) in Saheeh al-Jaami’, no. 1552).

H – It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas said: “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “… cursed is the one who has intercourse with an animal, cursed is the one who does the action of the people of Loot.” (Narrated by Ahmad, 1878. This hadeeth was classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, no. 5891).

I – It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas said: “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘Whoever you find doing the deed of the people of Loot, kill the one who does it and the one to whom it is done.” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 1456; Abu Dawood, 4462; Ibn Maajah, 2561. This hadeeth was classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, no. 6589).

And Allaah knows best.

Sourse: IslamQ&A

MPAC.ie Comment: We raise this issue as individuals claiming to be Muslims have recently challenged this Divine ruling on a website purporting to be ‘moderate’ and a true ‘Irish Muslim’ perspective. As Muslims living in a land of unbelief we acknowledge and believe in what Allah has said while leaving the punishment of sinners to Him. We should not and do not give ear to those who would sell the deen of Allah for the dirham and the dinar.

All praise is for Allah, the Sustainer of the entire universe, Lord of all worlds. He enlightened the hearts of His Aulia with divine guidance and strength of belief, and provided strength to their perception with the luminance of Wahi. Whomsoever He desired He guided to the right path, whoever He wanted, in His wisdom, He led astray. Thus did the hearts of the Kuffar and Munafiqeen become blind to accepting the light of Truth, and Allah Ta’ala’s entire argument was established over all His creatures.

I offer praise to my Rabb, and such gratitude which is worthy of His Being and magnificent sovereignty. I bear witness that there is no god except Allah, He is One and Only and has no partner; that He is Master of the Day of Qiyamah.

And I bear witness that our Prophet and leader Hadhrat Muhammad SallalLahu `Alayhi Wasallam is His bondsman and Messenger, leader of all the ancients and the moderns. He was sent forth with the Holy Qur’an as a blessing for the Muslim, a bearer of glad tidings to them.

O Allah! Send Durood and Salaam, shower blessings upon your Bondsman and Messenger, Muhammad SallalLahu `Alayhi Wasallam, upon his descendants, Ashaab and Tabi`een.

Amma-Ba`ad. O Muslims, fear Allah. Fear Allah as is His due. Hold fast to the strong bond of Islam.

O people of Allah! Without doubt Allah Ta`ala’s greatest blessing upon man is his true faith. Through it Allah Ta`ala brings to life the dead hearts of the Kuffar, bestows the light of Imaan to the blind who have been led astray. Allah Ta`ala says:

“Can he who was dead, to whom We gave life, and a Light whereby he can walk amongst men, be like him who is in the depths of darkness, from which he can never come out?” (6:122).

And He further says:

“Is then one who doth know that that which hath been revealed unto thee from thy Lord is the Truth, like one who is blind? It is those who are endued with understanding that receive admonition.” (13:19)

Allah Ta`ala’s Deen in the Heavens and the Earth, for the ancients and the moderns is only the Deen-e-Islam. The orders of Sharee`ah were different for every prophet. Every prophet was given those orders which were appropriate for their particular Ummah. In His divine knowledge and wisdom, whichever order He thought proper, He canceled, which ever one He wanted He retained.

But when He sent down the Prince among men, SallalLahu `Alayhi Wasallam He made null and void all previous Sharee`ahs, and bound all men and Jinn (spirits) to render obedience to him. Allah Ta`ala says:

Say: “O men! I am sent unto you all, as the Messenger of Allah, to Whom belongeth the dominion of the heavens and the earth: there is no god but He: it is He that giveth both life and death. So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, who believeth in Allah and His words: follow him that so ye may be guided.” (7:158)

And it is a saying of the Holy Prophet SallalLahu `Alayhi Wasallam: “By Him in whose hands is the soul of Muhammad, every Jew or Christian of this age who hears my call and yet dies without believing me, shall be one of the people of Jahannam.” Thus anyone who does not believe in RasoolulLah SallalLahu `Alayhi Wasallam, will burn in Jahannam forever. Allah Ta`ala does not accept any other Deen than Islam.

If a person desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah), never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost all spiritual good (3:85).

As Allah Ta`ala sent His Prophet SallalLahu`Alayhi Wasallam with such a Sharee`at which is the choicest, the most excellent, with a Deen which is complete in every respect, He has included in it all the basic principles which had been sent down upon all the earlier prophets. Thus He says:

“The same religion has He established for you as that which He enjoined on Noah-that which We have sent by inspiration to thee-and that which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus; namely that ye should remain steadfast in religion, and make no divisions therein: To those who worship other things than Allah, hard is the way to which thou callest them. Allah chooses to Himself those whom He pleases, and guides to Himself those who return to Him.” (42:13)

The followers of the Jews and the Christians know for sure that the Deen of Hadhrat Muhammad SallalLahu `Alayhi Wasallam is the true Deen, but jealousy with the Muslims, arrogance, love of wealth and selfish desires are a barrier between them and Islam. Moreover even before the descent of Hudhoor SallalLahu `Alayhi Wasallam, the Christians and Jews had altered their heavenly books, and completely changed their religion. Thus they remain, firm upon their Kufr, led astray from the right path.

After a brief introduction of Haqq (truth) and Batil (falsehood), for us Muslims, this movement which began to bring closer together different religious, is a very painful thing (here the Shaikh is referring to Interfaith dialogue). It is not to our liking too the invitation being extended by those ‘intellectuals’ who are not even acquainted with the basic and essential doctrines of Islam. Especially now when wars are being fought on the basis of religion and all advantages are connected with it, such movements and invitations are even more dangerous for Islam and the Muslims.

Without doubt Islam invites the Jews and Christians to save themselves from Jahannam (Hell) and enter Jannah (Paradise); renounce Batil and accept Islam. Allah Ta`ala says:

‘Say : O People of the Book! Come to common terms as between us and you: that we worship none but Allah; that we associate no partners with Him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, lords and patrons other than Allah.” If then they turn back, say ye: “Bear witness that we at least are Muslims, bowing to Allah’s Will”. (3:64).

Islam gives permission to the Christians and Jews to continue upon their religion but only if they remain subordinated to Islam; pay Jizyah to the Muslims and keep the peace. Islam does not force the Christians and Jews to become Muslims, as in the Holy Qur’an it is said:

“Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error.” (2:256).

Islam is pure toleration and a well-wisher of all humanity. It does state that the Deen of the Jews and Christians is Batil so that whoever wishes to embrace Islam can do so, and whoever so desires can remain a Kafir. If the Jews, Christians and Mushrikeen are willing to accept Islam, then it will embrace them. They will as brothers to the Muslims, for Islam does not admit of any prejudice on the basis of race or colour. History itself is a witness to this fact and furthermore Allah Ta`ala announces:

“O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is he who is the most righteous of you.”

As to the question of a joining between Islam, Christianity and Judaism that is simply impossible. Allah Ta`ala Himself says:

“The blind and the seeing are not like; nor are the depths of Darkness and the Light; nor are the chilly shade and the genial heat of the Sun: nor are alike those that are living and those that are dead. Allah can make any that He wills to hear; but thou canst not make those to hear who are buried in the graves.” (35:19-22).

In the same way is this notion wrong that the Muslims should relinquish some of the Islamic tenets, ignore or show apathy towards them, in order to incline the Jews and Christians towards them; or that the Muslims should befriend them in order to bring them closer to Islam. A true Muslim can never do so. Allah Ta`ala says:

Thou will not find any people who believe in Allah and the Day of Qiyamah, loving those who resist Allah and His Apostle, even though they were their fathers or their sons, or their brothers, or their kindred. (58:22)

In short, there is no connection, no relationship between the Muslims and the Kuffar. In spite of this, Islam does not allow any Muslim to be cruel to the Kuffar. Islam has bound the Muslims to be just and fair to them too. On the other hand a Muslim has been ordered to defend his faith, to hear enmity towards Batil, and not only that, but make efforts the break its strength. This distinction between Islam and Kufr can only be achieved by holding fast to the fundamentals and beliefs of Islam. By persevering upon faith and strictly adhering to the orders of Islam, can the Muslims prosper in the world and thereby by protect, safeguard their honour and their rights. Right or Haq can be established, Batil can be identified as Batil only through perseverance upon Deen. The campaign which has been started to unite different religious, is not only against the spirit of Islam but will land the Muslims into terrible trouble and misfortune. The results of such a movement will be disastrous—weakening of Imaan, interpolation of beliefs, friendship with the enemies of Allah Ta`ala. Allah Ta`ala has ordered those of the Islamic faith to be friends of one another only. He says,

“The Believers, men and women, are protectors, one of another (9:71).

While, the Kuffar, they may belong to any group have been designated as friends of each other by Him—–:

“The unbelievers are protectors, one of another: unless ye do this, (protect each other), there would be tumult and oppression on earth, and great mischief.”

The famous Mufassir Imaam Ibne-Kathir RahimahulLahu Ta`ala has interpreted it in this way: If you do not adopt separation from the Kuffar, and befriend the Muslims a great mischief will be caused among the people. ‘Mischief’, here means the intermingling of the Muslims with the Kuffar, and of the truth becoming doubtful. Thus a mixing of the Muslims and Kuffar will lead to a mischief of great magnitude.

Allah Ta`ala says:

O ye who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors; they are but friends and protectors to each other. (6:54)

How can there be any similarity, any bond between Islam and Yahudiyyat, (the Jewish faith) when Islam is exceptional, with its purity, light, brilliance, nobility, justice, toleration, magnanimity, high morality, equally for man or Jinn, and Yahudiyyat is, a collection of materialism and narrow-mindedness, bears malice towards humanity, is steeped in moral degradation, greed and covetousness. So how can there be any link between Islam and Yahudiyyat?

Can any Muslim tolerate the aspersion cast upon the pious, pure character of Hadhrat Maryam `Alayhissalam by the Jews?

Can the Muslims bear the presence of the Jews who call Hadhrat `Esa ‘Alayhissalam (Christ) the son of a whore?

Na`oozubilLah. Allah forbid! And on this account how can there be any link between the Holy Qur’an and Talmud, the holy book of the Satanic Jews?

Similarly there is no similarity between Christianity and Islam. Islam is a pure and clean religion believing in the oveness of Allah, in Tauheed. It is pure justice and a blessing. It is complete Sharee`ah, the revealed law. Whereas Christianity is a deviation from the right path. The misled Christians hold the belief of Trinity—Father, Son, Holy Ghost. Christianity claims that Christ is God and the sons of God. Allah Ta`ala says:

“Never will the Jews and Christians be satisfied with thee unless thou follow their form of religion.”

And He says:

“And they will go on fighting you until they turn you away from your faith if they could.”

Thus the only reason for the creation of a Jewish, Zionist state in Palestine was to start an armed conflict with the Muslims and thus create tension and terror in the region. After they had succeeded in creating Israel, the Jewish colonial powers then set in motion such basic and collective plans which are a cause of deep pain for the Muslims even till to-day. Among these the major plan was to bring abut a dissolution of all Shara`ee courts from the Islamic countries and establish non-Islamic, man-made laws in their place. To a large extent the Kuffar succeed in their aim. But praise be to Allah Ta`ala, that the
Saudi government did not fall a prey to this conspiracy and there still exist many Shara`ee courts in the country. Today, amongst all the Muslim ngovernments of the world, the government of Saudi Arabia is the only representative, model Islamic government.

After succeeding in bringing about an end to all Islamic, Shara`ee courts in most of the Muslim countries, the Jews and Christians launched a new plan in order to find an excuse for military intervention in the area.

An insidious movements was started and such anti-Islamic, atheistic ideas and beliefs as those of insurrection, Communism, nationalism were instilled in the minds of the people. These consequently gave birth to such military tyrants as Saddam Husain.

An open armed conflict with holy Sharee`ah thus began. All the means at their disposal were brought upon to bear and the voices of Haq crushed mercilessly. The conspiracies of the Kuffar bore fruit and thousands of families migrated to the western countries.

The countries which had become victims of military rule, became weaker and weaker in faith, in Deen, due to Western influences. In these countries, every succeeding government blamed the previous government for the havoc and destruction in the country. (May Allah Ta`ala protect us). And to-day conditions in some countries have declined to such an extent that offering Salat Ba-Jama`at is now considered to be a crime there. Lahaula Wala Quwwata. When such are the conditions how can one even think of Allah Ta`aldivine assistance of religious honour and dignity?

With the establishment of a Jewish state, destruction of all Shara`ee courts in the Islamic countries and their replacement by non-Islamic, man-made system of law, circulation and formulation of groups and beliefs inimical and contrary to Islam, and as a result the emergence of such people as Saddam, the stage was no set for the super powers to act upon their basic conspiracies. To pave the way for a military intervention they purposely created a fake crisis. They were already in control of the economies of the region.

It is now no longer a secret that the great powers are planning upon dividing the land of Arabia into smaller states constantly at war with each other. For this will consolidate the forces of Kufr, provide protection for their anti-Islamic beliefs and deeds.

Remember, that the world powers are the sworn enemies of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as it is the greatest centre of Islam, a fort of the Muslims. All the governments of the Kuffar are bent upon destroying it. In fact the forces of Kufr have now all united against Islam and the Muslims. None of these countries can any longer be trusted. Specially so, as American and Britain are now openly threatening the kingdom’s survival and safety. Thus their blatant enmity, evil intentions, destructive aims for Saudi Arabia have now become clear, are now common knowledge.

America! it would do well for you to remember that Saudi Arabia is not alone. All the Muslims of the world, form east to west, are united in the defense of the holy land, the last centre of the Muslims.

The evil intentions and aims of the world powers are:

* To strengthen and fortify the Zionist, Jewish state of Israel.

* To tear down Al-Aqsa Mosque and build a synagogue in its place, thus satisfying the ancient desire of the Jews.

* To maintain the military supremacy of the Jews over the Muslim Arab countries.

* To appropriate a major part of the oil-wealth of the Gulf States for themselves, leaving the Saudis with the residue only.

* To deal a death-blow to Islam at the slightest provocation.

* To promote everything which is against Islam, which destroys the least morals and virtues bestowed by Islam, and which would cause the Islamic states to be constantly at war with each other.

O Muslim! you should learn a lesson from Turkey where the accursed Kamal Ataturk established a secular form of government and forcefully subjected the Turks to an irreligious, heathenish system. Not only was the Islamic system discarded but the Islamic principles were fiercely opposed on every front. So much so that even to-day the government there is inimical to the Muslims. It has made military pacts with the Jews. In spite of all efforts by the Turkish government to curry their favour, the Kuffar are willing to tolerate the Turkish government only as long as it remains subservient and in service of the Jews. Turkey sacrificed everything-its religion, its principles for the Christian and Jews but none of the European countries are even now willing to let it join the
European Union. Why? What is Turkey’s crime? Only that it once was an Islamic centre.

O Muslims! Let Turkey be a moral to you. Be sure that you may renounce as many Islamic principles as you like but the Kuffar will never be pleased with you. So instead of trying to gain their favour you should adhere to your own religion. Remember, that this enmity of the Kuffar is based upon nothing else but Islam. If this was not so, tell me why are the people of Iraq suffering under sanctions for the last six years?

What is the crime of the poor Iraqi people except that they are Muslims? As far as Saddam and the ruling party are concerned, the sanctions have not effected them the least bit. The world powers justify these cruel sanctions against Iraq by saying that it violated a UN resolution. Iraq violated only one, but the Jewish enemies have violated sixty UN resolutions. It has not even signed the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, although this area is a veritable volcano and cannot bear the accumulation of weapons of mass destruction. Saddam Husain cannot be absolved of all responsibility too. He is equally to blame for the atrocities committed against the people of Iraq, for he only complies with the wishes of the enemies of Islam. He does whatever they wish him to.

I am warning America to stop interfering in the affairs of our region. As far as the security of the religion is concerned it is the responsibility of the Gulf states, especially Saudi Arabia, itself and not of America. America, be not proud of your power. It is a Sunnah of Allah Ta`ala that whenever the weak were oppressed, the powerful oppressors were destroyed. Allah Ta`ala Himself causes their destruction. America must not therefore be deceived by the apparent helplessness of the Muslims.

The Americans should learn a lesson from the Muslims of Afghanistan who had started Jihaad against Russia armed with sticks only. They had thus brought about the total destruction of the super power of the day. Remember that technological superiority is not everything. The real power is that of faith, of Imaan.

The maintenance of peace and security in the Arabian peninsula lies with the governments of Arabia themselves. In fact it is a Fardh upon them to guard their borders. There is no need of foreign intervention.

In fact these foreign powers which stepped-in to save Gulf States are themselves the cause of the dangerous problems, terrible anxieties afflicting the people there. The modus operandi of these powers of Kufr is that wherever there is a crisis, even if it has been created by themselves, they jump in on the pretext of solving it. They propose to be helping the country out of its difficulties but in reality they become a grave danger to it. For, can a wolf ever guard a flock of sheep?

O people! there is religious enemity between the Muslims and the Kuffar. So how can they be the well-wishers of the Muslims?

Although America is Christian country yet its reins are in the hands of the Jews. America is powerless. The Jews manipulate it, exploit it for their own purposes. Still, the Muslims cannot tolerate the presence of the American military force in the holy land. They cannot, will not suffer the presence of any power of Kufr in the Arabian peninsula-RasoolulLah SallalLahu `Alayhi Wasallam has said, “No two religions can remain in Arabia.” The Holy Prophet’s last advice was: “Expel the Jews and Christians from the Arab lands.”

Thus now when the Jews and Christians have set up military bases in and all around Arabia, it has become a Fardh upon the Muslims to act upon the last order of RasoolulLah SallalLahu `Alayhi Wasallam and expel them from the Arab lands. O Muslims! Impending doom is threatening you. Offer sincere repentance for your salvation. To save yourself from destruction and ruin repent, offer Taubah, to Allah Ta`ala for all your sins. Because of the sins committed by the people, does ruin and destruction attend upon them. And in repentance lies their deliverance

O ye, who drank wine and thus disobeyed Allah Ta`ala, repent for your sin, for thus you will, through this Taubah, assist in the reformation of the society.

O ye, who committed adultery or sodomy, turn to Allah Ta`ala, offer sincere repentance for your disobedience.

O ye, who disobeyed Allah Ta`ala by using drugs, offer Taubah before Allah, for verily to Him will you return shortly.

O ye, who committed the disobedience of giving up offering Salat, repent before the Mighty Allah.

O ye, who caused a loss to someone’s honour or property, offer Taubah for having been cruel to a Muslim. Seek refuge with Allah Ta`ala.

Purify your wealth from interest, for because of this evil destruction and wars descend upon a people. In matters of business, sale and purchase keep away from that which is contrary to the orders of the Holy Qur’an, to Sharee`ah. For in this way will all the transactions of a bank correspond to the orders of Islam.

Call the people towards Allah. Establish firmly D`awah-IlalLah, D`awah-Ilal Islam. Teach Islam to the people. Pay special attention to the Madaris e-Islamiyyah established in the Muslim countries to provide religious knowledge to the people.

It is a Fardh upon every Muslim to call others towards Allah, specially so upon the Ulama whose beliefs, knowledge and perseverance can be relied upon; the Ulama who are well-versed in Islamic jurisprudence, to whom people turn for solution of their religious problem.

O Muslim! avoid those groups which cause division and dissension; avoid the desires and temptations which lead you astray and cause disunity among you.O Muslim! save yourself from the wrath and punishment of Allah Ta`ala. Allah Ta`ala says:

“O ye who believe! take not into your intimacy those outside your ranks: they will not fail to corrupt you. They only desire your ruin; rank hatred has already appeared from their mouths; what their hearts conceal is for worse. We have made plain to you the signs, if ye have wisdom. Ah! ye are those who love them, but they love you not, though ye believe in the whole of the Book. When they meet you, they say, ‘We believe,’ but when they are alone, they bite off the very tips of their fingers at you in their rage.Say: ‘Perish in your rage; Allah knoweth well all the secrets of the heart. If aught that is good befalls you, it grieves them; but if some misfortune overtakes you, they rejoice at it. But if ye constant and do right, not the least harm will their cunning do to you: for Allah compasseth round about all that they do. (3:188-120)

May Allah Ta`ala grant abundance in the Holy Qur’an for you and for me. May He make recitation of the Holy Qur’an and Zikr beneficial for you and for me. May He make following the instructions, copying the characteristics of Rasool-ulLah SallalLahu `Alayhi Wasallam profitable for us. I invoke Allah Ta`ala’s forgiveness for myself, for you, for all the Muslims, for all the sins committed by us. All praise is for Allah who is friend to the virtuous.

I hear witness that thee is none other than Allah worthy of being worshiped; that He is one and has no partner. It is He who gave honour to the Muslims and dishonoured the Kuffar. And I bear witness that our Prophet and leader Hadhrat Muhammad SallalLahu Alayhi Wasallam is His bondsman and Messenger; a keeper of promises and trusts. O Allah; bestow upon your Prophet and bondsman, Rasool-ulLah SallalLahu Alayhi Wasallam upon his descendants, upon the Sahabah-e-Kiram, your choicest blessings and favours.

Amma B’aad! O Muslims! fear Allah Ta`ala. For, He says:

O ye who believe! give your response to Allah and His Apostle, when He calleth you to that which will give you life; and know that Allah cometh in between a man and his heart, and that it is He to whom ye shall all be gathered.And fear tumult or oppression, which affecteth not in particular only those of you who do wrong: and know that Allah is strict in punishment. (8 : 24-25)

O Muslims! assemble together on the Book of Allah and Sunnah of Rasool-ulLah SallalLahu Alayhi Wasallam. Act upon the orders of the Book of Allah, upon the Sunnah of Rasool-ulLah SallalLahu Alayhi Wasallam. Every Muslim must turn to Allah, the Most Glorious. All Islamic countries must have love for each other, must be each others helpers and supporters. Especially so in the face of the terrible danger which now confronts the Muslim counties. It is the Kuffar’s plan to interfere in the affairs of the Muslims in such a way so as to divide them, alienate them from each other and thus destroy them completely. It
is therefore imperative for all the Islamic countries, especially the Gulf States to adopt a policy of mutual support and co-operation. It is essential for the Gulf States not to accept any individual opinion or controversial decision in matters of collective interest. None of the Gulf States should pass any resolution without consulting the Saudi government first; because upon this kingdom depends the existence and continuation of these states.

These Gulf countries, after deriving strength from Allah Ta`ala, depend upon Saudi Arabia for their solidarity too.

The kingdom is a pillar of strength for these states. It is also incumbent upon all these countries not to provide any military bases to the enemies of Allah for strikes upon Iraq. For Allah Ta`ala has created all the Muslims as one single body, and providing bases to the anti-Islamic forces will only cause sufferings to the Muslims of Iraq. Although a solution to the Iraqi problem seems to be imminent, yet the world powers cannot be depended upon not to create a new crisis for the achievement of their own selfish ends. So they must not be allowed to find an ally in the Arabian countries.

Furthermore the Arabian countries must not allow aircraft carriers of America or any other Kufriah country to use their harbours for launching attacks upon any Muslim country. Nor should they allow the establishment of military bases on their land.

O Muslim! fear Allah only. It is necessary upon all Islamic and Arab countries to fully co-operate with and assist Saudia Arabia in expelling the anchored war ships and the stationed Christian and Jewish troops from the Arab lands. For, Rasool-ulLah SallalLahu Alayhi Wasallam has said: ‘Two religions cannot co-exist in Arabia.’ The governments of this region are fully aware of their responsibility and of the necessity to maintain peace. If only it is rendered safe and secure from the interference of the big powers there would remain no danger to its existence.

O Muslim! Become each other’s helpers and supporters. Be well aware of the fact that these Kuffar are jealous of you. They envy yours your pleasant atmosphere even, for the skies of their cities are polluted with smoke from the factories etc., their places of worship redolent with the evil of their sins, with the depravity of the deeds disliked by Allah. They this grudge you, your every possession. And the greatest thing they are jealous of is your faith, your morals. O people of Allah, fear Him as is His due, and listen to the saying of Rasool-ulLah SallalLahu Alayhi Wasallam: “Very soon, other nations will invite others and fall upon you to attack and destroy you just like people while inviting others, fall upon a dish of food.”

The Sahaba-e-Kiraam asked Rasool-ulLah SallalLahu Alayhi Wasallam ‘Ya RasoolulLah! will this happen because we will be lesser in number at that time?’

“No.” RasoolulLah SallalLahu Alayhi Wasallam answered, “You will be great in number, but you will be like froth upon the main, and weak as sticks and straws. Allah Ta`ala will remove, from the hearts of your enemies, your awe and terror, and He shall fill your hearts with cowardice.” Sahaba-e-Kiraam RadhialLahu Ta`ala `Anhum asked “What is cowardice?” “Love of the world, hatred for death,” RasoolulLah SallalLahu Alayhi Wasallam answered.

O people of Allah! Verily Allah Ta`ala and His angels send down blessings upon Prophet Rasool-UlLah SallalLahu `Alayhi Wasallam. O people of Faith, you too send Durood and Salaam upon the Holy Prophet. Rasool-UlLah SallalLahu has said, “The person who sends Durood upon me once is blessed by Allah Ta`ala ten times. So send Durood upon the first and last Prophet SallalLahu `Alayhi Wasallam. Allahumma-Sallay `ala Muhammad.

Ya Allah, bestow your choicest blessings (Rahmah) upon RasoolulLah SallalLahu `Alayhi Wasallam as you bestowed blessings (Rahmah) upon Hadhrat Ibraheem `Alayhissalam Verily, you are worthy of all praise, most eminent and exalted. And bestow ‘barakah’ upon Rasool-UlLah SallalLahu `Alayhi Wasallam as you did upon Rasool-UlLah SallalLahu `Alayhi Wasallam as you did upon Hadhrat Ibraheem `Alayhissalam.

Verily are ye worthy of all praise, most glorious and eminent.

Ya Allah bestow your approval upon the Khulafa-e-Rashideen-Abu Bakar, `Umar, `Usman and Ali and all the Sahaba-e-Kiraam RadhialLahu `Anhum.

O Lord of the universe, be pleased with those who follow all of them in the best possible way. Ya Allah! O Most Merciful of the merciful, grant us you divine approval too.

Ya Allah! confer upon the Muslims and Islam, honour and victory, upon Kufr and the Kuffar dishonour and defeat.

Ya Allah! consign the leaders of the Kuffar to the most grievous penalty. Impress upon their faces, in their conversation conflict and dissension. Ya Allah! whoever bears enemity towards Islam and the Muslims, destroy him completely.

Ya Allah! Lord of the universe, cause the powers of Kufr to go war with each other. Turn them away form the Muslims, and engage them in fighting each other.

Ya Allah! Make the conspiracies and stratagems of the enemies of Islam, ineffectual and useless.

Ya Allah! whoever bears malice and ill-will towards us and our cities, make their maliciousness rebound upon themselves. Intervene between us and the evil he intends.

Ya Allah, Lord of the universe verily you have power over everything. We present you before every Kafir and his opposition. We seek your help against them. We defend ourselves against the Mushrikeen through you.

Ya Allah! seize the Jews and Christians in the grip of your punishment. Seize the Hindus and the Mushrikeen too.

Ya Allah! send down upon them a torment most grievous which is not turned away from a guilty nation. Ya Allah! they have filled the entire world with tyranny, oppression and sins. Ya Allah, we seek thy help against them. We seek thy protection against their evil.

Ya Allah, we seek only they shelter against the mischief of the Rawafiz, the heretics. You are omnipotent indeed.

Ya Allah! Create affection in the hearts of the Muslims for each other. Reform them, guide them to the paths of safety and peace. Draw them out from the Darkness into the Light, Assist them against your own and their enemies.

Our Lord, grant us beneficence in this world and in the Aakhirah too. Save us from the torment of Jahannam.

Ya Allah! Provide safety to our Imaam and grant him the opportunity to perform those deeds which are to your linking, which are acceptable to
you.

Ya Allah! include him among those who guide others to the right path, who are the guided ones themselves. Ya Allah, assist him in religious and worldly matters. Ya Allah, when matters are of a delicious nature, when it is difficult to recognize Haq (Right), to act upon it, guide them towards what is Haq. Ya Allah, set straight their ‘batil’.

Ya Allah! Lord of the universe, grant the Muslims the ability to perform deeds which are worthy of your approval, which can gain your divine
favour.

O people of Allah! Allah commands you to do justice. He commands you the doing of good, and liberality to kith and kin, and He forbids all shameful deeds, and injustice and rebellion: He instructs you, that you may receive admonition.

“Fulfil the Covenant of Allah when you have entered into it, and break not your oaths after you have confirmed them; indeed you have made Allah you surety; for Allah knows all that you do.” (16:91-9).

Remember Allah, who is Great and Glorious one He will remember you. And give thanks unto Him for the many favours He has bestowed upon you, Allah will grant you more. Remembrance (zikr) of Allah is a great thing indeed. And Allah knows well whatever it is that you do.

Anas reported: There were two brothers in the days of the Prophet. One of them used to attend the Prophet’s circle (to acquire knowledge) and the other used to work to earn their living. Once the latter complained to the Prophet against the former (for not working). The Prophet responded, “Perhaps you are being provided because of him.” (At Tirmidhi)

It’s easy to get caught up in the dunya and forget the important things in this life and the next. It’s easy to lose the focus and look like the kuffar do to our wealth and status as signs of prosperity. This narration reminds us that the blessings are from Allah, if we put Allah first.

The brother who worked was convinced that it was his deeds that were sustaining the family; the Prophet informed him that it may well have been his brother’s dedication to Allah and His messenger that brought the blessings the second brother sought.

If we put Allah first and realize that all blessings come from Him, then all our efforts in this dunya will be blessed and rewarded. What profit it a man to gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his soul?

There is a problem in Ireland and no amount of blame shifting or pointing the finger will change that. The secularists and atheists can look at religion and in particular Catholicism as a short-term abjection through which to direct their ire – a useful aberration in that it serves to offset introspection which would inevitably highlight the woeful inanity of a world without religion and the futility of atheism, but they are not looking for a solution, and certainly can’t offer one.

The recent Dublin diocesan report is not only an indictment against a religion that is inherently false, but is also an imputation of Irish society headed by a despotic, nepotistic elite who are quite content with such distractions.

The moral, social and economic decline that has engulfed Europe has come hand-in-hand with a move away from religion, if any blame must be apportioned then it falls squarely on the shoulders of those who have pushed for the removal of religion from the public sphere. In the Old Testament G-d is reported to have spoken unto the Jews and said,

If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart. Behold, I will corrupt your seed, and spread dung upon your faces, even the dung of your solemn feasts; and one shall take you away with it (Malachi 2:2-3).

In the Quran Allah clearly links disbelief with destitution and humiliation,

‘They have been put under humiliation [by Allah] wherever they are overtaken, except for a covenant from Allah and a rope from the Muslims. And they have drawn upon themselves anger from Allah and have been put under destitution. That is because they disbelieved in the verses of Allah and killed the prophets without right. That is because they disobeyed and [habitually] transgressed’. (3:112)

The answer is not a rejection of all religions, but the acceptance of the one and only true faith that will offer a solution to this quagmire. Islam is the only religion acceptable to Allah and is consequently the only means of removing the present shame that is Ireland.

In the last seven years or so, I have participated in a number of ‘Does God Exist?’ debates with various intellectuals and academics [1]. Next week I will be participating in the ‘God: Delusion or Truth?’ debate with Rick Lewis, the editor of the Philosophy Now magazine, at the University College London. Last week I participated in a debate with Alan Woods, who has written the History of Philosophy and is a Marxist political theorist [2], on the same topic and I was disappointed that he did not sufficiently address any of the arguments I presented. Additionally he did not even produce a strong case for the atheist worldview.

Mr Woods’ main premise was that the evolution theory provides the best explanation for the origins of life. The problem with this argument is that evolution doesn’t negate the existence of God; rather it just provides an alternative explanation to the question of how life started. At best the evolution theory, if taken to be true, may provide a theological problem as there would be a need to reconcile the theory with mainstream religious discourse on the origins of life. However it doesn’t take God out of the picture.

Mr Woods’ evolution ‘defeater’ was an attempt to deal with one of my arguments for the existence God, known as the Teleological argument or the Argument from Design. The form of the design argument I chose to present used examples relating to the physics and the initial conditions of the universe. Hence I explained to Mr Woods that evolution is billions of years away and it doesn’t even have a foot in the door as the design argument I chose to present used examples understood in physics and not biology, so I politely advised him to be more attentive to my argument.

Mr Woods then decided to use another argument which is always used by the atheists who clutch at intellectual straws: “who designed the designer?” Even the prophet of neo-Atheism Richard Dawkins writes in his best seller The God Delusion,

“The Temptation is a false one, because the designer hypothesis immediately raises the larger problem of who designed the designer.” [3]

Having prepared for this I addressed his question promptly. However in order for the reader to understand my response I will summarise the form of the design argument that was presented at the debate. I argued that God makes sense of the fine-tuning of the universe to permit life and I started off by presenting the premises of this argument,

1. The fine-tuning of the universe to permit life is due to physical necessity, chance, or design.

2. It is not due to physical necessity or chance.

3. Therefore, it is due to design.

Explaining Premise 1

The existence of a life permitting universe is due conditions that must have been fined tuned to a degree that is literally incalculable! The fine tuning is of two types,

1.
When the laws of nature are expressed as mathematical equations, you find appearing in them certain constants, like the gravitational constant.
2.
There are certain arbitrary quantities which are just put in as initial conditions on which the laws of nature operate, for example, the amount of entropy or the balance between matter and anti-matter in the universe.

I used the following are examples of fine tuning to explain premise 1,

*
Strength of Gravity & the Atomic Weak Force: Physicist P. C. W. Davies has calculated that a change in the strength of gravity or of the atomic weak force by only one part in 10100 would have prevented a life permitting universe.
*
Big Bang’s Low Entropy Condition: Roger Penrose of Oxford University has calculated that the odds of the Big Bang’s low entropy condition existing by chance are on the order of one out of 1010 (123). Penrose comments, “I cannot even recall seeing anything else in physics whose accuracy is known to approach, even remotely, a figure like one part in 1010 (123).”[4]

There are only three possible explanations for the presence of the above fine tuning of the universe,

1.
Physical necessity
2.
Chance
3.
Design

Why it can’t be Physical Necessity

The first alternative seems extraordinarily implausible. There is just no physical reason why these constants and quantities should have the values they do. As P. C. W. Davies states,

“Even if the laws of physics were unique, it doesn’t follow that the physical universe itself is unique…the laws of physics must be augmented by cosmic initial conditions…there is nothing in present ideas about ‘laws of initial conditions’ remotely to suggest that their consistency with the laws of physics would imply uniqueness. Far from it…it seems, then, that the physical universe does not have to be the way it is: it could have been otherwise.” [5]

Why it can’t be Chance

Some people who do not understand the impossibility of the universe coming into being by chance exclaim, “It could have happened by chance!” However would they say such a thing in order to explain how an Elephant was sleeping in their garage overnight? Or if a 747 was parked in your garden on your return from work ?!

Additionally people have tried to get out of this problem by saying “we shouldn’t be surprised at the finely tuned universe, for if it wasn’t the case we would not be here to be surprised about it!” In response to this Philosopher W. Craig aptly puts it,

“But such reasoning is logically fallacious. We can show this by means of a parallel illustration. Imagine you’re traveling abroad and are arrested on trumped-up drug charges and dragged in front of a firing squad of 100 trained marksmen, all with rifles aimed at your heart, to be executed. You hear the command given: “Ready! Aim! Fire!” and you hear the deafening roar of the guns. And then you observe that you are still alive, that all of the 100 trained marksmen missed! Now what would you conclude? “Well, I guess I really shouldn’t be surprised that they all missed. After all, if they hadn’t all missed, then I wouldn’t be here to be surprised about it! Given that I am here, I should expect them all to miss.” Of course not! You would immediately suspect that they all missed on purpose, that the whole thing was a set-up, engineered for some reason by someone. While you wouldn’t be surprised that you don’t observe that you are dead, you’d be very surprised, indeed, that you do observe that you are alive. In the same way, given the incredible improbability of the fine-tuning of the universe for intelligent life, it is reasonable to conclude that this is not due to chance, but to design.”[6]

It Must be Design

Since premises 1 and 2 are true, it follows that supernatural design is the most reasonable explanation for the fine tuning of the universe to permit life.

Responding to “Who Designed the Designer?”

The above contention to the design argument is flawed for two main reasons. Firstly, anyone with a basic understanding of the philosophy of science will conclude that in the inference to the best explanation, the best explanation doesn’t require an explanation! The following example illustrates this point.

Imagine 500 years from now a group of archaeologists where to start digging in London’s Hyde Park only to find parts of a car and a bus. They would be completely justified in inferring that these finds were not a result of sedimentation and metamorphosis but products of an unknown civilization. However if some skeptics were to argue that we can’t make such inferences because we do not know anything about this civilization, how they lived and who created them, would that make the archaeologists conclusions untrue? Of course not!

Secondly if we take this contention seriously it could undermine the very foundations of science and philosophy themselves. Because if we require an explanation for the basic assumptions of science, for example that the external world exists, where do you think our level of scientific progress would be?

Additionally if we were to apply this type of question to every attempt at explaining the explanation, we would end up with an infinite regress of explanations. And an infinite regress of explanations would defeat the whole purpose of science in the first place, which is to provide an explanation!

References

[1] For example see my debate with Dr Bashour from the American University Beirut http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJtM40TzJAA

[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Woods_(politician)

[3] Richard Dawkins. The God Delusion. Houghton Mifflin. 2006, page 158

[4] Roger Penrose, “Time-Asymmetry and Quantum Gravity,” in Quantum Gravity 2, ed. C. J. Isham, R. Penrose, and D. W. Sciama (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1981), p. 249.

[5] Paul Davies, The Mind of God (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1992), p. 169.

[6] William Lane Craig. http://www.professorblume.com/uploads/1/0/6/9/1069884/does_god_exist-_w._l._craig.doc

Source: http://hamzatzortzis.blogspot.com