REFUTING ATHEISM THROUGH THE
QUR’AN AND SCIENCE - The Concept of Destiny
This series of articles is meant to give a calculated reply to a certain lot of
confused, self-professed “thinkers” called atheists who deny the concept of God
and religious beliefs. They are still found in every segment of society living
carefree with an undefined purpose of existence. When one proselytizes to them
that there is a deity who created all that we see around us, they give nothing
but mockery and abuse in return. Typical, in most cases because if we analyze
carefully, there is no logical basis for morality and ethics in atheism as they
do not believe in the concept of a Hereafter upon which deeds are based.
Allah has ordained for us to engage in meaningful and worthy dialogue especially
with those we wish to bring into the fold of Islam. Atheists rant about science
and technological development. Hence, it will be appropriate for us to preach
them through science whose established facts affirm what is already in The
Qur’an.
I begin my series of refutations to Atheism with the concept of Destiny.
The attribute of being dependent on someone or something is not just confined to
animals and plants alone. The same also applies to us humans, who have been
declared as the best of creation. We are dependent upon Allah for each and every
moment of our lives. Be it health, wealth or knowledge. When Allah created Adam
(alayhis salam), he breathed into him of the spirit which, when asked before
“Who is your Rabb (Lord, Sustainer, Cherisher, Master)?” replied, “Allah”. It
was a Universal Declaration of being Allah’s slave. The extent of this
dependency on Allah can be ascertained from a verse in The Qur’an in which we
are told that our lives in this world are pre-written in the “Lawh-e-Mahfooz”:
Verily, We have created all things with Qadar (Divine Preordainments of all
things before their creation, as written in the Book of Decrees Al-Lauh
Al-Mahfuz). [Surah Al Qamar, 49]
In 1973, renowned American neurophysiologist Professor Benjamin Libet concluded
through experimentation and observation that all our decisions and movements are
preset and that consciousness only comes into play half a second after
everything has been determined. Professor Libet carried out his research by
stating that neurosurgery can be performed without the use of narcosis, in other
words while the subject is fully conscious. It was established that there is a
fractional delay between a neurological and perceptual process and hence, to put
it in layman terms, “We do something before we even decide to do it”. In his
detailed findings, it was inferred that we take between approximately 350 and
500 milliseconds to be aware of what we are doing. In one of the experiments it
was noticed that when a subject had moved his fingers, the relevant brain cells
had gone into action before the subject even took the decision.
These and other findings in an extensive study titled “Unconscious cerebral
initiative and the role of conscious will in voluntary action” were published in
the Behavioral and Brain Sciences journal year 1985. They scientifically
affirmed the concept of “Kun” (Be!) as attributed to Allah’s Majesty and
whatever we do has already been written:
In verse 30 of Surah Al-Insaan, Allah says: “But you cannot Will, unless Allah
Wills. Verily, Allah is Ever All-Knowing, All-Wise”. Similarly in verse 29 of
Surah at-Takweer: “And you Will not, unless (it be) that Allah Wills, the Lord
of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists)”
Our speech and actions are all controlled. The programming for each one of us is
stored inside the Lawh-e-Mahfooz. Now, a question that arises here is: If such
is the case, what about doing bad deeds? Does that not infer Allah “wants” us to
do evil? Let us explain the answer with an example: Person A wants to commit
adultery. If he does carry out this heinous act, it was also prewritten.
However, if he is still in the stage of thoughts and recites a dua with pure
intention invoking Allah’s Protection from Satan’s tempting, Allah will surely
respond: And your Lord said: "Invoke Me, [i.e. believe in My Oneness (Islamic
Monotheism)] (and ask Me for anything) I will respond to your (invocation)
[Surah Ghafir, 60] Our Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) advised us, as
narrated on the authority of Ibne ‘Umar (May Allah Be pleased with him) “Dua may
be of benefit with regard to what has already happened or what has not yet
happened, so adhere to dua, O Slaves of Allah.” [Reference: Jami Tirmidhi #
3548]
When a believer sincerely invokes Allah for something, Allah makes amendments in
the Lawh-e-Mahfooz: (For) each and every matter there is a Decree (from Allah).
Allah blots out what He Wills and confirms (what He Wills). And with Him is the
Mother of the Book (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz) [Surah Ar-Ra’ad 38, 39].
Making dua is a fine way of remembering the same Allah who, as affirmed by
science, controls our lives. Logically speaking, if I want specific
modifications in my branded car, I will consult its manufacturer for assistance.
Similarly, I know that Allah has created me and hence I will consult Him for
help and mercy whenever I want to keep myself away from evil, knowing that the
ability to abstain from harm will only be possible if Allah wills. When He will
decree “kun” on my dua, the “fa-yakoon” will influence the particles within me
to keep my mind and body away from evil things, places and people.
The question I pose to atheists before ending my piece is, Allah controls our
destiny and he makes changes in them when we praise and invoke Him. What about
you? Now that science has proven man is not in control of his actions, would you
mind telling us who is in control of yours?
"It is only men of understanding who will remember (to take advice from Allah's
Signs and Verses)"[Surah Az-Zumar, 9]