IDEOLOGY Lesson 2

1. IDEOLOGYLesson 2 Notes from Lectures of Dr. Sayed Fadhil Al-Milani International College of Islamic Studies (ICIS) Student Translator: Aous Asfar

2. A. The Old Curriculum • The Proof of Necessary Existence and Unnecessary Existence (wujub wa imkaan) • The Proof of Motion (al-haraka) • The Proof of Impartiality (al-tajarrud) • The Proof of Occurrence (al-huduth) • The Proof of the Chosen Ones (al-siddeeqeen)

3. B. New Curriculum • Contemplating the Existence of the Universe • Descarte • Proof of Organization (al-nidhaam)

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

5. A. Old Curriculum • 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.

6. 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.

7. Continued… 2. And if the existence of the cause is gained, we then ask:From where did it gain its existence? • If it is said: From the Essential/Primary existent = Circular argument = FALSE- Because “a” is contingent on “b” and “b” is contingent on “a”.

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

9. Conclusion • In this proof we can end up with one of the following conclusions: • There is an essential existent that is necessary and is the first cause of all things (Allah). • An infinite series argument that is logically false.

10. 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…

11. 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?

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. Summary • Our existence either ends up being a result of: • Circular argument • Infinite argument in series • The Necessary Existent • Since 1 & 2 are false (through logic), 3 must be true.

15. 2. Proof of Motion • Arabic:burhaan al-haraka • History: By Aristotle

16. Continued… • Motion requires a mover • The mover and the motion are related in time (difference is not in time but order) • Every mover is either in motion or static • Every body is changing and in motion • Infinite argument in changing things is impossible • Therefore, the series of motions must go back to a static mover (the first mover).

17. 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.

18. 4. Proof of Occurrence • The world is changing • Everything that changes is new in occurrence. • Therefore: The world is new in occurrence.

19. Continued… • Now we take the result and make it the first premise: • The world is new in occurrence. • Everything that is new in occurrence is in need of a creator. • Result: The world needs a creator.

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. Conclusion • Coincidence is impossible with respect to creation.