“So why did you become a Muslim?” This was one of many questions asked to one of the Muslim sisters that were at the stall during Islamic Awareness Week at Newcastle University. It’s kind of an obvious question, hey? But how would you guys answer this question? Unfortunately, many of us wouldn’t be able to give a clear answer, other then “Well because my I was born as a Muslim and that my whole family is Muslim”.

Now, if this question was asked to a revert, they would be able to give you an answer straight away, am I right guys? But for us Muslims who were born into a Muslim family, we don’t get asked that question a lot. Okay, coming back to the answer above, would you then be a Christian if you were born into a Christian family? Of course for this question we would say “No, because Islam is the truth”. But then we have to think. How do we then prove that Islam is the truth, and that we do not just believe in it emotionally or blindly following Islam because of our family?

Did you know that Allah (Subhanna Wa Ta’ala) condemned people for imitating their forefathers and adopting their belief without clear evidence? In the Holy Qur’an, He (Subhanna Wa Ta’ala) says, “And verily guess is no substitute for the truth.” (an-Najm [53]: 28).

"These are nothing but names which you have devised, you and your fathers, for which Allah has sent down no authority. They follow nothing but conjecture and what their Nafs desire. Even though there has already come to them the Guidance from their Rabb" (an-Najm [53]: 23).

So as you can see, the followers of other religions have no decisive proof for their belief, therefore they believe in their religions emotionally or through imitation. Some of them think that you just have to have faith without clear proof. But the funny thing is, when it comes to normal things in life people apply a lot of thought such as choosing a University course or which University to join, so how can it be that when it comes to the most important questions about life; which define the purpose of our lives that we should just have ‘faith’ without being convinced absolutely? That is why it is very important for us Muslims to believe in the existence of Allah (Subhanna Wa Ta’ala) without any doubt whatsoever and to believe in the Prophethood of Muhammad (Salalahu Alaihi Wasallam) and that the Qur’an is the final revelation sent by Allah (Subhanna Wa Ta’ala) to humanity. Islam is unlike all the other religions as it has a decisive proof that convinces the mind.

Proof of the Existence of God

Ok guys, now let’s begin by discussing the proof of the existence of Allah (Subhanna Wa Ta’ala). Although we are taught theories regarding the origin of the Universe and origin of the Man such as the big bang theory and the theory of evolution, we should realise that they contradict the clear reality which everyone can sense!

The fundamental proof that God exists is that everything that we sense around us whether it is the trees, the sun, the stars or animals and fellow human beings are limited things and are not eternal. By limited we mean that they have restrictions, a starting point and an ending point, and they have definable attributes i.e. they are all finite. So for example, we are born, but then we will die. There is no-one alive who will not die. Also, during their life span, they will grow to a certain height, weight and volume.

Okay, it’s true that there are differences between the things that exist in the Universe however all of them share the quality of being limited and finite, the earth may be huge but it still has a certain shape, weight, volume by which it is limited, this applies to all planets, stars, solar systems and galaxies. We can say for certain that no scientist could ever prove using hard facts that the universe has no bounds, am I right guys? In fact when they say that the universe arose from the Big Bang and is expanding they are essentially admitting it is finite in size, otherwise it could not expand! Let’s face it guys, there’s nothing in reality which is unlimited! No matter how hard we try, we are unable to find anything unlimited around us.

Also, it’s a simple principle that something cannot come from nothing, therefore, where did the Universe come from? It cannot simply exist without having any cause as this contradicts the clear reality which everyone can sense.

Imam Abu Hanifah was once asked by an atheist, "Is there any proof that God exists?" 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 Hanifah 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." A logical answer by Imam Abu Hanifah don’t you think guys?

The attribute of everything around us is that they are all needy and dependent in order to continue existing. They are not self-sustaining or independent! For instance, we have needs that need to be satisfied in order to survive, e.g. we must eat and drink if we want to survive. Am I right? Go try not eating and drinking for a week and see if you can survive or not. This also applies to plants and animals. Nothing we can perceive is self-subsistent. So things exist, but do not have the power of existence. They cannot control when they die or when other bodies die. Thus what we see is that everything around us is limited and finite. Everything that is limited and finite is dependant and everything that is dependant is dependant upon something greater than itself. When we apply this to everything we see, it will bring us to a conclusion, that is if everything in the universe is dependant because it has not the power of being in existence on its own accord, and is also finite and limited, then what is everything dependant upon for its existence? It must be an unlimited and independent creator, right?

Therefore, it is a simple fact that this universe must have a creator. The question remains is this creator like the universe i.e. limited or is the creator unlimited and eternal. If the creator was limited like the universe then He would also require a creator as this is the case with every limited thing. So if the universe was caused by a big bang as they claim, what was before the big bang? If it was something else like another universe then what was before that? This chain would continue until there would be a beginning or origin, this could only be caused by something which is uncaused or eternal, which we call God or Allah (Subhanna Wa Ta’ala).

Furthermore the amazing design of every part of the universe, man and life are testament to the fact that Allah (Subhanna Wa Ta’ala) exists. Imam Shafi’i explained this when he said, "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 (Subhanna Wa Ta’ala) Who is the Inventor and the Creator."

When we read the Qur’an, we see that the Qur’an draws attention to everything around us and to conclude from this pondering the existence of Allah. Allah (Subhanna Wa Ta’ala) says in the Qur’an, "Will they not look at the camels, how they are created! And the heaven, how it is raised! And the mountains, how they are set up! And the earth, how it is spread!" (al-Ghâshiyah [88]: 17-20).

"Were they created of nothing, or were they themselves the creators? Or did they create the heavens and the earth? Nay they have not firm belief." (at-Tûr [52]: 35-36).

Proof of the Qur’an

Once we have concluded definitively that Allah (Subhanna Wa Ta’ala) exists the next obvious question that arises is that has Allah (Subhanna Wa Ta’ala) sent a revelation for us to follow? It is clear that we are not able to communicate with God and therefore we are unable to know what He wants us to do, how He wants us to worship Him, and how we should solve the problems we face in life. All of these questions would remain unresolved unless there the creator has communicated with us and given us a guidance to follow.

For us Muslims, we believe that throughout history, there have been many messengers and prophets sent by the Creator, bringing laws or revelation on how man should conduct his life. They were given miracles which proved to mankind that they had a communication with God and a revelation from Him. A miracle is something which goes against the laws of nature which is impossible for anyone else to do; by miracles the Prophet’s were able to prove their direct relationship with God. For example prophet Musa (as) had a stick which parted the Red Sea, Prophet Isa (as) had the ability to cure the sick by just touching them.

Now the question is; how do we know if these messengers existed? How do we know that they were not just legends or tales? So what miracle do we have right now to convince us and guide us through our lives?

Well, the Qur’an itself is the main miracle that the Prophet (Salalahu Alaihi Wasallam) brought which is different to the physical miracles of the other Prophet’s as they were limited to only their times. The Qur’an is an intellectual miracle that proves Islam. It was revealed to Muhammad (Salalahu Alaihi Wasallam) in the 6th Century; it exists today and has been revealed for all times.

It is an established and undisputed fact that the Qur’an was proclaimed by Muhammad (Salalahu Alaihi Wasallam) in Arabia over fourteen hundred years ago. But, for us to prove decisively that it is from Allah (Subhanna Wa Ta’ala), we must first consider the possible sources of the Qur’an and then eliminate these to arrive at its true origin. So let us look at the possible sources for the Qur’an: a) The Arabs; b) Muhammad (Salalahu Alaihi Wasallam) himself; c) Allah (Subhanna Wa Ta’ala).

At the time the Qur’an was revealed, the pagan Arabs were deeply into poetry. It was an indication of nobility in society. The Arabic language has great fluidity and depth of expression, so it was held high in esteem by the Arabs. Allah (Subhanna Wa Ta’ala) in the Qur’an challenged the Arabs to produce something comparable to it in language and they failed to do so. Initially Allah (Subhanna Wa Ta’ala) challenged them to produce ten chapters (surah’s) similar to it: "They may say: He forged it (the Qur’an). Say: "Bring you then ten forged surah (chapters) like unto it, and call whomsoever you can, other than Allah (to your help), if you speak the truth!" (Hûd [11]: 13). They failed to do so. Allah (Subhanna Wa Ta’ala) then reduced the challenge to something that at first glance may sound easy, He (Subhanna Wa Ta’ala) said: “If you are in doubt of what we have revealed to our messenger, then produce one chapter like it. Call upon all your helpers, besides Allah, if you are truthful” (al-Baqarah [2]: 23).

As we know, the smallest chapter in the Qur’an, Surah al-Kauthar is only three sentences long, surely someone in history must have matched this challenge wouldn’t you think? The Arabs at the time of Muhammad (Salalahu Alaihi Wasallam) failed to do so, although they were the best in the Arabic language. Furthermore no piece of Arabic literature before them or after them until today has even come close to matching the language of the Qur’an.

Okay, for non-Arabs sometimes this may be difficult to perceive as they do not appreciate the language of the Qur’an directly. However, I think everyone can agree that any piece of literature written by human beings can be matched; people can copy its style and produce something comparable to it in quality. Well, despite having the Arabic language, its letters, grammar, syntax and dictionaries available today, the Arabic linguists cannot construct any piece of language that is comparable to the Qur’an. Therefore, it is impossible that the Qur’an was written by any of the Arabs.

It is also inconceivable that the Qur’an is the speech of Muhammad (Salalahu Alaihi Wasallam). After all he was one of the Arabs. So since he was also an Arab, then it is impossible for him to write it, no matter what level of genius people may assign to him. Besides, Muhammad (Salalahu Alaihi Wasallam) has left saheeh ahadeeth (sound narrations) and mutawâtir ahadeeth (definitive narrations) whose authenticity is beyond doubt. But if guys try comparing ahadeeth with any verse of the Qur'an, you will find out that there would be no similarity between them in style. He (Salalahu Alaihi Wasallam) used to utter the revealed verse and say the hadeeth at the same time and yet there is a difference between them in style. Whenever any man attempts to diversify his speech, it will remain similar in style, because it is a part of him. Since there is no similarity between the hadeeth and the verse in style, the Qur'an is absolutely not Muhammad’s speech. It is important to point out that none of the Arabs, who despised Muhammad (Salalahu Alaihi Wasallam), particularly at that time, were the most acquainted with the styles of Arabic speech yet never claimed that the Qur’an was Muhammad’s (Salalahu Alaihi Wasallam) speech, or even similar to his speech.

As you can see above, the Qur'an is neither the speech of the Arabs nor the speech of Muhammad (Salalahu Alaihi Wasallam). Therefore it is definitely the speech of Allah as this is the only rational possibility we are left with!

Did you guys know that to this day Muslim and non-Muslim scholars have not been able to find any contradiction or mistake in the Qur’an?! Also, if one was to compare word by word a copy of the Qur’an published today to one of the first copies of the Qur’an available then one would find that not a single word has been omitted or added. Allah (Subhanna Wa Ta’ala) says: "Do they not ponder about the Qur’an? If it had come from God they would surely have found therein much contradictions.” (an-Nisâ’ [4]: 82).

As we all know, there are many texts available today claiming divine status from God, like the Bible of the Christians and the Torah of the Jews, etc. However, they have no proof that they have been revealed by God, if they are not miraculous in nature then there is no reason to believe in them. As Muslims we believe that Allah (Subhanna Wa Ta’ala) revealed different books through history such as the original Injeel (Bible) and Torah, Allah (Subhanna Wa Ta’ala) informed us of this in the Qur’an this is why we believe these. However, we have also been informed that these books have been altered and therefore the versions that exist today are not that which was revealed by Allah (Subhanna Wa Ta’ala). Besides this, the Qur’an is the final revelation from Allah (Subhanna Wa Ta’ala) which abrogates all others. Allah (Subhanna Wa Ta’ala) says, "Say ye: "We believe in Allah, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) Prophets from their Lord: we make no difference between one and another of them: and we bow to Allah (in Islam)." (al-Baqarah [2]: 136).

Once we have established through rational proof that Allah (Subhanna Wa Ta’ala) exists and that the Qur’an is the Word of Allah, we must believe in everything that the Qur’an informs us of and commands us with, whether we can perceive them or not. Therefore, we must have Iman (belief) in the Day of Resurrection, in paradise (jannah) and hell, in reckoning and punishment, in angels, in jinn, in Shayaateen and all others that the Qur'an or hadeeth mutawâtir (definitive narrations) have mentioned. To believe in these things is therefore not irrational just because we cannot see them or sense them physically as we have conclusively proved the Qur’an being from Allah (Subhanna Wa Ta’ala) which informs us about all of these: "O you who believe! Believe in Allah and His messenger, and the Book which He sent to His Messenger and the Book which He sent to those before (him). Any who denies Allah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, and the Day of Judgement, has gone far, far astray." (an-Nisâ’ [4]: 136).

Once the Iman in Allah, His Messenger and the Qur’an has been proven, then we have to believe in the Islamic Shari’ah as a whole. We cannot pick and choose as we like. Therefore, we must completely surrender to all the rules revealed by Allah (Subhanna Wa Ta’ala) whether we see rational reasons for them or not. Allah (Subhanna Wa Ta’ala) says, "But no, by your Lord, they can have no (real) faith, until they make you judge in all the disputes between them, and find in their souls no resistance against your decisions, but accept them with the fullest submission." (an-Nisâ’ [4]: 65).

So can we still claim that we have Iman when we don’t follow all the rules revealed by Allah (Subhanna Wa Ta’ala)? Wallahu’alam bi showab. [Ramadhan al-Muhtasib]