An Article for you to ponder

[Salafee]

[b:395b10cca3]What if you Find a Watch in The Sand? [/b:395b10cca3]

Suppose you found a watch in the middle of the desert. What would you conclude? Would you think someone had dropped the watch? Or would you suppose that the watch came by itself?

Of course, no sane person would say the watch just happened to emerge from the sand.

All the intricate working parts could not simply develop from the metals that lay buried in the earth. The watch must have a manufacturer.

If a watch tells an accurate time, we expect the manufacturer must be intelligent. Blind chance cannot produce a working watch.

But what else tells accurate time? Consider the sunrise and the sunset. Their timings are so strictly regulated that scientists can publish in advance the sunrise and sunset times in your daily newspapers. But who regulated the timings of sunrise and sunset? If a watch cannot work without an intelligent maker, how can the sun appear to rise and set with such clockwork regularity? Could this occur by itself?

Consider also that we benefit from the sun only because it remains at a safe distance from the earth. A distance that averages 93 million miles. If it got much closer, the earth would burn up. And if it got too far away, the earth would turn into an icy planet making human life here impossible. Who decided in advance that this was the right distance? Could it just happen by chance?

Without the sun, plants would not grow. Then animals and humans would starve. Did the sun just decide to be there for us?

We need to experience sunrise. We need the sun's energy and its light to see our way during the day. But we also need sunset. We need a break for the heat, we need the cool of the night and we need the lights to go out so we may sleep. Who regulated this process to provide what we need?

Moreover, if we had only the warmth of the sun and the protection of the atmosphere we would want something more beauty. Our clothes provide warmth and protection, yet we design them also to look beautiful. Knowing our need for beauty, the designer of the sunrise and the sunset also made the view of them to be simply breathtaking.

The Creator who gave us light, energy, protection and beauty deserves our thanks. Yet some people insist that He does not exist. What would they think if they found a watch in the desert? An accurate, working watch? A beautifully designed watch? Would they not conclude that there does exist a watchmaker, One who appreciates beauty? Such is God who made us.

[Dave901]

You point out the Earth is just the right distance from the sun. If it was farther or closer to the sun life wouldn’t exist. But if life didn’t exist we wouldn’t be here wondering why the world is the way it is.

I believe the Creator works through the laws of nature and that science potentially can explain everything. I realize the scientist of today are a long way from explaining everything but I do think everything has a scientific explanation.

I believe in evolution. If the Earth was made for mankind’s enjoyment, why has life been here for 4.5 billion years and Homo Sapiens only been here for less than a million? 99.99% of all species were extinct before the first man set foot on Earth.

Animals have similar designs. For example all mammals have the same internal organs. The same type of skeleton. Looking at a skeleton of a bat you can see the wings are supported by long finger bones. The “thumb” is used as a small claw at the joint of the wing. The brain of the more intelligent life forms have a larger more wrinkled cerebrum. The brain is the most complex structure scientist are trying to understand. The things that make us different from the animals are intangible things such as the soul and the mind. Scientists never have and maybe never will find a physical structure in the brain that links the soul to the human body. (they used to think it was the pituitary gland) And what is the mind? Is it just the thought processes of the most sophisticated brain in the world?

My point is that I think Allah made the universe in such a way that it would be impossible to prove that He exists. I also believe it is impossible to prove that God does not exist. If He wanted everyone to know He exists He could manifest himself above the Earth. He would only have to do this once. The whole Earth would remember throughout all of history.

Why would He prevent absolute knowledge of His existence? I think it is so he can see how we live our lives. If anyone wants to know if the universe has a Creator all he or she would have to do is pray, read the Koran and follow the pillars of Islam. When he discovers the truth about the Creator he will know it in his heart but he still wont have any proof he would be able to show anyone.

[Muslimah]

My point is that I think Allah made the universe in such a way that it would be impossible to prove that He exists. I also believe it is impossible to prove that God does not exist. If He wanted everyone to know He exists He could manifest himself above the Earth. He would only have to do this once. The whole Earth would remember throughout all of history.Why would He prevent absolute knowledge of His existence? I think it is so he can see how we live our lives. If anyone wants to know if the universe has a Creator all he or she would have to do is pray, read the Koran and follow the pillars of Islam. When he discovers the truth about the Creator he will know it in his heart but he still wont have any proof he would be able to show anyone.[/quote:2d5eb4f6a3]

As Salam Alykom

A unique argument but a bit complicated. However, I disagree with you because looking at the universe shall certainly lead you to think Who Created this very well managed system. A system which never fails. Or which at certain times sends signs (cosmos signs such as earthquakes and volcanos). Taking Prophet Ibraheem peace and prayer be upon him as an example, he sat for hours pondering on the universe trying to reach the truth about the incomparable Creator saying:

Thus did we show Ibrâhîm (Abraham) the kingdom of the heavens and the earth that he be one of those who have Faith with certainty.

76. When the night covered him over with darkness he saw a star. He said: "This is my lord." But when it set, he said: "I like not those that set."

77. When he saw the moon rising up, he said: "This is my lord." But when it set, he said: "Unless my Lord guides me, I shall surely be among the people who went astray."

78. When he saw the sun rising up, he said: "This is my lord. This is greater." But when it set, he said: "O my people! I am indeed free from all that you join as partners (in worship with Allâh).

79. Verily, I have turned my face towards Him Who has created the heavens and the earth Hanîfa (Islâmic Monotheism, i.e. worshipping none but Allâh Alone), and I am not of Al-Mushrikûn (See V.2:105)". (Quran 6: 75-79).

Part of the issue is that Allah remains unknown (Ghayb) for us yet manifest through miraculous signs such as the evolution of the embryo which became so ordinary to us that we don't ralize it. Although if we just think about how an embryo evolutes in the mother's womb, we shall have nothing to say but Sobhan Allah (Glorified be Allah)

[Salafee]

Nice to see the article finally made somebody ponder!!! I have a problem with evolution, the same problem that Darwin had with evolution. In his book, he had a chapter titled 'Problems with the theory'.

You see the thing is, evolution relies on mutation. Mutation my friend is not a good thing. Cells don't just mutate into the complex organ that the eye is. You mention yourself the complexity of the brain. How can cells mutate into something as complex yet so perfect.

I suggest you read Darwins book (and I apologise if you already have) as most people believe in a theory that they don't even understand totally. Darwin mutated flowers. The human is vastly different to flowers.

I also suggest you read the Koran. The reason for this is that you say that that no matter what, no one will have any proof to show anyone that the Creator exists. The Koran is the speech of the Creator and is the proof of His existance. Allah explains creation in the Koran, He explains mountain formation, cloud formation, embryo development and so on. Very sceintific!!! I'm sure you will enjoy it more than Darwins Theory of Evolution (a theory that in the late seventies early eighties, many major scientists admitted that there were many problems with and would not publically support it).

It is incumbent as a Muslim for me to tell you that there is a Creator and He is One. He is Allah the Almighty, All Hearing, All Seeing, All Knowing. He is the Lord of All The Worlds, Master of the Day of Judgement, Most Gracious Most Merciful and as He says in the Koran

"Every Soul Shall Taste Death".

The question then my friend is "What happens then?"

Something for you to ponder.........

[amai]

*shrug* well, yeah. i think evolution is impossible. airplane don't just create themselves, they need a creator.

more about articles of the same topic here:

http://www.answersingenesis.com

[Muslimah]

amai you are very much right. airplanes are never self created and I posted a reply for you on do u guys love Allah. After the long and elaborated engagment between purgetory and Whisper. Hope Insh a Aallah you found it satisfactory. See ya

[Muslimah]

The Existence of Allah

Abdul Wahid Hamid

Islam the Natural Way

Published in 1989 by MELS, © Abdul Wahid Hamid 1989

Once, a Bedouin was asked what made an unsophisticated man like him believe in Allah.

Bedouin: "Do you see these marks in the sand?"

Man: "Yes."

Bedouin: "What do they tell you?"

Man: "A camel went by."

Bedouin: "Did you see the camel?"

Man: "No, but these footprints in the sand suggest that a camel made them."

Bedouin: "Do you see these mountains?"

Man: "Yes."

Bedouin: "They are indicative to me that Allah made them."

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Once Khalifa Haroon Rasheed asked Imam Malik: "What is the evidence (daleel) pointing to the existence of Allah (subhanahu wa ta`ala)?" Imam Malik replied: "Difference in languages, difference in pitches of voice, difference in singing are proof that Allah (subhanahu wa ta`ala) exists!"

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The same question was asked, by an atheist, of Imam Abu Hanifa and he replied, "Forget it! At the moment, I am busy thinking about this ship. People tell me there is a big ship, it contains different goods on board. There is no one to steer it, no one maintaining it. Yet, this ship keeps going back and forth; it even traverses big waves on the oceans; it stops at the locations that it is supposed to stop at; it continues in the direction that it is supposed to head. This ship has no

captain and no one planning its trips."

The atheist who posed the question interrupted and exclaimed, "What kind of strange and silly thought is this? How can any intelligent person think that some thing like this can occur?"

Imam Abu Hanifa said, "I feel sorry about your state! You cannot imagine one ship running without some one looking after its affairs. Yet you think that for this whole world, which runs exactly and precisely, there is no one who looks after it, and no one owns it."

Hearing the reply, the atheist was left speechless but he found out more about Haqq (The Truth) and proclaimed Islam.

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Imam Shafi`i replied to the question in the following way, "The leaves of Toot (berries) are all but one. Each leaf tastes exactly the same. Insects, honey bees, cows, goats, and deer live off of it. After eating these the insects produce silk; bees produce honey; deer give musk (a special kind of scent), cows and goats deliver off-springs. Is this not clear evidence that one kind of leaf has so many qualities, and who created these qualities? It is the Khaliq (Creator) who we call Allah (subhanahu wa ta`ala) Who is the Inventor and the Creator."

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Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal reflected on the question in the following way. He said, "There is an incredibly strong fort, it has no doors, there is no way to get in. In fact, there is not even a hole in it. From outside it glows like the moon and from inside it shimmers like gold. It is sealed from all sides, matter of fact it is air tight. Suddenly one of its doors breaks down, a living thing with eyes and ears, a beautiful looking animal appears yelling and wandering all over. So is not there a creator who made it possible for life to take place in this secured and closed fort? And is not this Creator better than humans? This Creator has no limit." Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal was referring to an egg which is closed from all sides but Allah (subhanahu wa ta`ala) The Khaliq (Creator) puts life in it and a chick pops out.

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=569

[amai]

how old is the earth according to the Quran?

[Aight786]

Sobhan Allah,

This is indeed an intrigning topic that you bring up Salafee.

I have read numerous scientific ayats in the Blessed Qur'an and it got me thinking. It is really amazing how Allah (SWT) could create something so incomprehensable. But of course

Allah (SWT) can do anything right? I think that since it was Allah who made this univerese and the physical laws that govern it, that he purposely already knew that he was going to make humans. There is this one famous ayat im not sure where in the Qur'an i read this, but it says something about Adam's creation from dust. During the formation of the solar system there where many rocks, cosmic dust, etc orbiting around the sun. Cosmologist have speculated that this debris soon became the inner planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars) and the gases that were left over became the outer planets, excluding Pluto, which is really a KBO (Kupier Belt Object). What im trying to say here is that, as muslims we can't really be sure how Allah (SWT) created us (whether throught evolution or having personally made us somewhere far off), but we do know that it wasn't by accident. And of course, Allah knows best.[/size:43a0afecc0]

[amai]

*determined wave*

excuse me. my question please?