IDEOLOGYLesson 2

Notes from Lectures of

Dr. Sayed Fadhil Al-Milani

International College of Islamic Studies

(ICIS)Student Translator: Aous Asfar

A. The Old Curriculum1. The Proof of Necessary Existence and

Unnecessary Existence (wujub wa imkaan)

2. The Proof of Motion (al-haraka)3. The Proof of Impartiality (al-tajarrud)4. The Proof of Occurrence (al-huduth)5. The Proof of the Chosen Ones (al-

siddeeqeen)

B. New Curriculum1. Contemplating the Existence of the

Universe

2. Descarte

3. Proof of Organization (al-nidhaam)

C. Ahlul Bayt (as)• Here we will explore some proofs from

Ahlulbayt (as).

A. Old Curriculum1. The Proof of Necessary Existence &

Unnecessary ExistenceArabic: burhaan al-wujub wa al-imkaan/al-hukamaa’ al-ilaahiyyeen

• This proof explores proving God as the necessary existent Whose existence is essential and does not come from other than him.

Intro to Proof• Everything that we immagine in our

minds and realize with our senses can cease to exist and can change.

• Therefore, existence of such things is NOT essential or part of its essence.

• Rather, it is gained from something, Allah-the necessary existent.

Continued…2. And if the existence of the cause is

gained, we then ask:From where did it gain its existence?

a) If it is said: From the Essential/Primary existent = Circular argument = FALSE- Because “a” is contingent on “b” and “b” is contingent on “a”.

Continued…b) If it is said:

From another existent or another cause,We then say:

a)Is the existence in the cause:I. Essential = proven our pointII. Gained = we continue…

b) If it is said:From another existent or another cause,… and we continue ad infinitum = argument is false

Conclusion• In this proof we can end up with one of

the following conclusions:

a. There is an essential existent that is necessary and is the first cause of all things (Allah).

b. An infinite series argument that is logically false.

Question• But how does man (a gained existent)

relate to the Necessary Existent?

• A: Take some oil, pour it on a glass table top, pour some flour on it, let the oil soak in the flour, then place your hand in the flour and take a paper towel and wipe your hand with it…

Continued…• Place the paper towel infront of

someone who is naturally curious.• This person will ask you:

From where did this towel get its oiliness?

• You answer: From my hand.• He says: And from where did your hand

get it oiliness?

Continued…• You say: From the flour.• He says: Where did the flour get its oiliness

from?• You say: From the table top.• He says: Where did the table top get its

oiliness?• You say: From the oil.• At this point he stops asking any questions

because there is no point in asking about where the oil got its oiliness from.

Conclusion• Did you see how the oiliness was gained by

the towel, your hand, the flour and the table top?

• Therefore, these things needed a cause to provide it with its oiliness.

• As for the oil, oiliness is essential to it.• And this is corollary to how gained existence

gains its existence from an essential necessary existent.

Summary• Our existence either ends up being a

result of:

1. Circular argument

2. Infinite argument in series

3. The Necessary Existent

• Since 1 & 2 are false (through logic), 3 must be true.

2. Proof of Motion• Arabic: burhaan al-haraka

• History: By Aristotle

Continued…1. Motion requires a mover2. The mover and the motion are related in

time (difference is not in time but order)3. Every mover is either in motion or static4. Every body is changing and in motion5. Infinite argument in changing things is

impossible6. Therefore, the series of motions must go

back to a static mover (the first mover).

3. Proof of Detachment• Arabic: burhan al-tajarud/al-hukamaa’• This proof is based on a study of the truth of

the soul, for the intellectual soul is detached in essence from materialism

• And it is impossible for the first cause to to be a body, for if it was a body, it would not differ from other bodies and may have limitations.

• Therefore, the first cause must be metaphysical, essentially detached, absolutely unlimited, and that is Allah.

4. Proof of Occurrence1. The world is changing

2. Everything that changes is new in occurrence.

3. Therefore: The world is new in occurrence.

Continued…• Now we take the result and make it

the first premise:

1. The world is new in occurrence.

2. Everything that is new in occurrence is in need of a creator.

3. Result: The world needs a creator.

Continued…• This creator can NOT be newly

occurring, because it would need a creator itself.

• If the creator of that occurrence needs a creator then we have a circular argument = false.

• Infinite creators = infinite argument = false.

Conclusion• Therefore, the creator of this universe

must be old in existence, whose existence does not accept non-existence.

• Meaning always and necessary in existence.

• He is Allah, The First Cause.

Question• Why do all occurring things require a creator

of that action?• A. If things were based on coincidence:

Story of blind man and papers.100 page book:1: 1/1002: 1/993: For p.1 & 2 to occur at once: 1/99 X 1/1004: For p. 1-2-3: 1/98 X 1/99 X 1/100 = 1/970200 etc.

Conclusion• Coincidence is impossible with respect

to creation.