Episode 2: Does God Really Exist? (Ismaili Gnosis Chats)
Defining and Proving God's existence through Ismaili philosophical teachings
We are pleased to present Episode 2 of Ismaili Gnosis Chats. Each episode features conversations exploring Ismaili Muslim beliefs, practices, and historical themes. Topics may include the Existence of God, the Ismaili understanding of Tawhid (Oneness or Monorealism), Prophethood, Imamat, Qiyama (Resurrection), Esoteric Interpretation (Ta’wil) of the Qur’an, Spiritual Transformation, the practice of Dasond, Ismaili forms of Prayer, etc.
All podcast content is drawn exclusively from Ismaili Gnosis articles, which feature original academic research based on primary and secondary sources.
Episode 2: Does God Really Exist?
Have you ever doubted whether God exists? Mawlana Hazar Imam once said in a farman (Karachi, Sept 27, 1960) that “the real principle of Islam is that faith is logical. Islam would not be what it is if it were not logical and this is something you must keep in mind. Because the very heart of Islam is logical. There is no hocus-pocus. There is no nonsense.” In this Episode, our hosts discuss a contemporary Ismaili argument for the existence of God (read the full article here) based on pure logic without relying on ‘blind faith’. The podcast focuses on the distinctively Ismaili concept of God known as “He who is above all else” in the farmans of Mawlana Hazar Imam.
Summary of the Article Discussed in the Podcast:
The article provides a logical argument for the existence of God, drawing upon classical theistic traditions and refuting common atheist objections. The article argues that God is not a ‘supreme being’ but rather the ‘Unconditioned Reality’ - the Absolute Self-Sufficient Reality upon which all conditioned or dependent realities depend. God as Unconditioned Reality is absolutely simple, without parts or attributes, and transcends space, time, and matter, in accordance with various classical traditions in Christianity, Islam, and the teachings of the Ismaili Imams. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of living a life in harmony with God by recognizing one's own contingency and dependence upon the Unconditioned Reality.
Summarizing the Article through Q&A
1. What is the difference between the classical and modern understanding of God?
Answer: The modern understanding of God often depicts Him as a "supreme being" residing outside the universe, akin to an observer or a powerful agent acting upon the world. In contrast, classical theism, as found in traditions like Ismaili Islam, views God as the "Ground of Being" – the very foundation and sustainer of all existence.
2. Can the existence of God be proven logically?
Answer: Yes, the existence of an Unconditioned Reality, synonymous with God, can be logically deduced. The argument begins by acknowledging that we live in a world of conditioned realities – things dependent on other things for their existence. This chain of dependency cannot be infinite and must ultimately lead to a self-sufficient, Unconditioned Reality.
3. If God is "Unconditioned," does that mean He has no qualities?
Answer: While God is absolutely simple, meaning without parts or limitations, He is also the source of all qualities found in existence. Attributes like knowledge, compassion, and justice exist in the conditioned world because they ultimately stem from and are sustained by the Unconditioned Reality.
4. How does classical theism address the atheist argument ‘who created God?’
Answer: This question arises from a misunderstanding of the nature of the Unconditioned Reality. God is not a ‘thing’ that needs a creator; rather, He is the very source of existence itself. Asking ‘who created God?’ is akin to asking ‘what illuminates light?’ – a nonsensical question as light itself is the source of illumination.
5. Is the concept of God incompatible with modern science?
Answer: Science, by its very nature, investigates the ‘rules of the game’ - known as the laws of nature - within the natural world. It cannot explain the origin of these rules or the existence of the game itself. Questions about ultimate origins and the source of existence belong to the realm of philosophy and metaphysics, not science.
6. Does the principle of causality, central to the argument for God, still hold true in light of quantum physics?
Answer: Yes, causality remains a fundamental principle. While quantum physics reveals complexities at the subatomic level, it does not invalidate cause and effect. Even quantum events occur within a framework of laws and fields, pointing to an underlying order and interconnectedness.
7. What about the claim that atheism is more rational than theism?
Answer: Atheism, particularly the belief in naturalism (that only the physical world exists), lacks positive arguments and ultimately rests on assumptions. Furthermore, if the human mind, under naturalism, is merely a product of random evolution, its ability to discern objective truth becomes questionable, making the atheist's own beliefs suspect.
8. How does recognizing God as the Unconditioned Reality impact how we live our lives?
Answer: Recognizing God as the Ground of Being leads to an understanding of our own existence as contingent and dependent on Him. This realization should inspire a life lived in harmony with the Divine – a state of humility, gratitude, and striving to align our actions with the source of all goodness and truth.
Inspired? Let Us Know!
We hope you enjoyed Episode 2 of Ismaili Gnosis Chats and feel inspired by the conversation, the original article, and the Q&A. As always, please feel free to leave comments, questions and suggestions for topics you would like to see explored in the future, and don’t forget to share this post with interested friends and family.
Ya ‘Ali Madad,
Ismaili Gnosis
October 1, 2024
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Ya Ali Madad !
Great Article!
However, I have some questions.
Q1: for someone who is not familiar with Neoplatonic view of unconditional reality, how would you explain, the ultimate source of evil ?
Follow up question
Q2: since God is simple and without any quality( he’s the source of all qualities) from where is the source of evil ?