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In Search ofIn Search ofGodThe author concludes in thisbook by examining varioustheoriesthatthechoicehumanity have is not betweenthe universe with God and theuniverse without God. The realoption is between the universewith God and no universeat all. Therefore humanityis compelled to opt for theproposition the universe withGod. Hence it is logical to say Iexist, therefore, God exists.GodISBN l.org9788178982915Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
In Search ofGodMaulana Wahiduddin KhanGoodword
First published 2019This book is copyright free.Goodword Books1, Nizamuddin West Market, New Delhi-110013Tel. 9111-41827083, Mob. 91-8588822672email: d Books, ChennaiMob. 91-9790853944, 9600105558Printed in India
ContentsA Most Evident MysteryDoes God Exist?0406Man Does Not Stand Alone23God—A Source of ConvictionGod-Oriented Life2731The Concept of Accountability37
A Most Evident MysteryWhat one is most convinced of is his or her ownexistence. Despite this, in purely scientific terms,everyone is a mystery. For man is not what hephysically appears to be, but consists of what hecalls I, and the I is not observable.That is why when the philosopher ReneDescartes (1596-1650) wanted to give proof of hisown existence, he did not say: “I consist of a bodythat is observable, therefore I exist.” Instead he hadto say: “I think, therefore I exist.”Man undoubtedly has an observable existence.We all know that man exists. But, in fact, this man’sexistence is at the level of “I” and the cognisanceof I is at the level of perception or comprehension,and not at the level of observation.Exactly the same is true of God. It is, as if, Godis a Greater I. God, at the level of His creation, isdirectly observable. But God at the level of HisBeing is not directly observable by man. We shall4
A Most Evident Mysteryhave to believe in God on the basis of the samelogical principle which Descartes employed toknow himself, and on which all men and womenbelieve in their own existence.Everyone who believes in his own existenceis logically compelled to say, “I exist,therefore, God exists.”I can comprehend God, therefore God exists.The truth is that God’s being comprehensible isan undeniable proof of His existence. If we denyGod, we shall have to deny our own selves. Sincewe cannot countenance our own denial, we cannotcountenance God’s denial either. Everyone whobelieves in his own existence is logically compelledto say, “I exist, therefore, God exists.”5
Does God Exist?Does god exist? My answer to this question is in theaffirmative. Based on my study and my experience,I can say with full conviction that God exists. Thereis no doubt about it. When I say that God exists, Isay this in the scientific sense and not in the popularsense.People generally believe that they are in aposition to prove or disprove anything. But this isnot the scientific position. According to modernscience, you cannot prove or disprove anything,You can only arrive at a probability, rather than acertainty. If there is sufficient data to show that thisor that thing probably exists, then one can make thestatement that this or that thing exists.The present question of whether Godexists itself raises another question. Studies inanthropology, that is, the science of man, haveestablished that the concept of God is ingrainedin human nature. Belief in God runs in our blood.6
Does God Exist?Every man and woman is a born believer. Everyoneundergoes this experience at one point of time orthe other. Especially in times of helplessness andin crisis, we discover that there is a Supreme Being.Every man and woman has experienced this naturalfact at least once in his or her life.Belief in God runs in our blood. Every manand woman is a born believer. Especiallyin times of helplessness and in crisis, wediscover that there is a Supreme Being.Then why this question? If the concept ofGod is present in our flesh and blood, why doesone question the existence of God? The reason isvery simple. People want to know whether there isa rational basis to their inner belief, whether thereis some scientific proof in favour of their innerfeelings.I must emphasise that there is certainly ascientific basis for belief in the existence of God.But people generally fail to discover it for the simplereason that they try to apply a criterion which they7
In Search of Godwrongly believe to be scientific. They want a proofin terms of observation, whereas this is neither thescientific method nor the criterion by which tojudge. If you apply the right criterion, you will findthat God is a proven fact.Here I recall an incident which took place in1965, when I was living in Lucknow. I happened tomeet a gentleman, who was a Doctor of Philosophyand a great admirer of Bertrand Russell. Of course,he was an atheist. During our conversation aboutGod he asked: “What criterion do you have toprove the existence of God?” I replied: “The samecriterion which you have for proving the existenceof anything else.” The dialogue ended there. Therewas no question and no answer after this.Why did this learned man fall silent? Thereason is very simple and well known. My answerwas to him a kind of reminder. I reminded him of thefact that we are living in a world where inferentialargument is as applicable to the concept of God asto any other concept.In our modern times scientific knowledge hasincreased to an unbelievable extent. But, according8
Does God Exist?to the Encyclopaedia of Ignorance, “increase inknowledge has only increased our ignorance.” Onescientist has rightly said: “We know more and moreabout less and less.” Now it is an established factthat science gives us but a partial knowledge ofreality.Human knowledge has two different phases—the pre-Einstein period and the post-Einsteinperiod. In the pre-Einstein period, knowledge wasconfined to the macro or material world, which wasobservable and measurable. So, it was generally heldthat everything, which has a real existence, shouldalso be observable. Anything which could not beobserved had no real existence. This meant thatonly the seen world was real and what was unseenwas unreal, or some kind of fiction.This concept created the theory which isgenerally called logical positivism. It means thatthe only valid logical argument is one which isdemonstrable in material terms, otherwise it issimply a baseless claim, and not a valid argument.But, in the post-Einstein period, in the earlyyears of the 20th century, when the atom was split,9
In Search of Godthe whole situation changed. After the splitting ofthe atom, matter as a solid substance, disappeared.It was replaced by the micro world, beyond theatomic world, where everything was reduced tounseen waves, neither measurable nor observable.After this revolution in knowledge, logical orrational argument also changed drastically. Thischanging situation compelled the philosophers andthe scientists to revise logical criteria. It has nowbecome an accepted fact that inferential argumentis as valid as direct argument.In the post-Einstein era, it was discovered thateven so-called observable matter was unobservable.Now everything was waves, and waves were notobservable.Present-day science includes so many things,like electrons, the law of gravity, x-rays, etc., all ofwhich are non-material in nature. They cannotbe observed, but every scientist believes in theirexistence, for the simple reason that, although wecannot see these things directly, we can see theireffect. For example, a falling apple, in the case ofgravity, and a photograph, in the case of x-rays. We10
Does God Exist?believe in the existence of all these things, not byobservation but by their result; in other words, byway of indirect knowledge.This change in human knowledge also changedthe theory of logic. Now it is well established inscience that inferential argument is as valid as directargument. (For details, see Human Knowledge, byBertrand Russell)When we reflect deeply about our world,we find that all over the universe thereare clear signs of planning, design andintelligent control.In the pre-Einstein era, unbelievers held thatthe concept of God pertains to the unseen world.And since no direct argument was available to bearthis out, belief in God was held to be illogical andall the relevant indirect arguments were consideredscientifically invalid, since they were inferential innature.11
In Search of GodBut now the whole situation has changed.Nothing is observable. So the existence of anythingcan be established only by means of inferentialargument, rather than by direct argument.If inferential argument is valid with regard tothe unseen micro world, it is also valid with regardto the existence of God.Bertrand Russell, in his book, “Why I am nota Christian”, has admitted this fact. He says thatthe argument centering on design, propoundedby theologians to prove the existence of God, isscientifically valid.Since ancient days, theologians have arguedthat when there is a design there must also be adesigner. As we see that our world is well designed,it compels us to believe that there is a designer.When we reflect deeply about our world, wefind that all over the universe there are clear signsof planning, design and intelligent control. Thesesigns lead us to believe that there is a Creator ofcreatures, there is a Designer of designs, and thereis a Mover of all movements.12
Does God Exist?No other explanation presents itself. Here Iwould like to refer to some of these universal signs.The Beginning of the UniverseLet us begin from the beginning. Science tellsus that 25 billion years ago there was a Big Bang inspace. After this Big Bang our universe came intoexistence. Scientists have found evidence to believethat in the beginning there was what they call acosmic ball. All the particles now present in theuniverse were tightly bound to each other in thiscosmic ball in a highly compressed state.According to the known physical laws, onlyan inner journey was possible for these particles.Physically, there was no possibility of their outwardjourney in space.Then, according to astronomical studies,this cosmic ball suddenly exploded. The compactparticles scattered outward and the presentuniverse came into existence, perhaps within thespace of a few minutes.13
In Search of GodIt was a violent explosion and we know thatevery explosion is destructive, except one, whichis preplanned. Chernico of Russia is a recentexample. It was a sudden explosion, which provedtotally destructive. On the other hand, there is theexample of exploding rocks to build tunnels. Thissecond type of explosion is always pre-planned, andas such, is always constructive in its result.The Big Bang explosion resulted in a universethat is highly constructive and meaningful, in everysense of these words. This miraculous phenomenonis enough to make us believe that the Big Bangexplosion was certainly pre-planned. And when it isproved that it was pre-planned, it is automaticallyproved that behind this pre-planning there was aplanner, indeed a Super Planner. And it is this SuperPlanner who is God Almighty.ExpansionScientific studies in space have proved that ouruniverse is an expanding one. We know that in thehuman world, every expansion has its limits. Whenyou blow up a balloon, you cannot blow indefinitely.14
Does God Exist?Every balloon has a blowing limit and after reachingthat limit it bursts.In human history, there have been so manypolitical empires—the Roman empire, the Ottomanempire, the Mughal empire, the British empire,etc.—Their rulers wanted to expand their realmsindefinitely. But after reaching a certain limitthey became unmanageable and over time, theydisintegrated.This exceptionally unique phenomenonof the universe is a sufficient proofthat there is a Super Manager or SuperPlanner behind this world.The same is true of industrial houses orindustrial companies. The masters of theseindustrial empires always want to go on and onexpanding. But every day we hear the news that thisor that industrial company is facing bankruptcy.Why? It is for the simple reason that after sometime, they reached an unmanageable limit, andcollapsed.15
In Search of GodContrary to this, the universe presents anexceptionally different example. Although theuniverse is constantly expanding at an astonishingspeed, it is still functioning smoothly after billionsand billions of years of expansion. It has neverbecome unmanageable to the point of collapsing.This exceptionally unique phenomenon ofthe universe is a sufficient proof that there is aSuper Manager or Super Planner behind this world.Otherwise, it would have collapsed long ago.(For more details, see Evidence of God in anExpanding Universe, compiled by John CloverMansoma)HarmonyStudies show that there is complete harmonyin the universe. There are innumerable stars andplanets in space, perhaps more than all the grains ofsand on the coasts of all the oceans. All these bodiesare continuously moving at an unbelievably rapidspeed. But there is no collision between these astralbodies.16
Does God Exist?There are numerous such phenomena in theuniverse. The rains, for example, are the result ofvery complex action between the ocean and thesun. A harmonious and universal process makesrainfall possible.There are countless things in ourworld created by God. But everythingin nature is so perfectly created thateverything is a “final model”.The exchange between man and the tree alsoserves as an example of such harmony. Man inhalesoxygen and exhales carbon dioxide. Contrary tothis, the tree inhales carbon dioxide and exhalesoxygen. This exchange is an extremely complexharmonious process that insures the life of bothman and the tree.Such miraculous phenomena speak withoutany doubt of there being a central managementbehind the universe. There is, indeed a supermanager, and this super manager is none other thanGod Almighty.17
In Search of GodThe Right ProportionStudies also show that everything in theuniverse is in the right proportion. The universe is aunique industry. All the products of the universe areproduced at the standard of zero defect.Look at the tree. Its present shape is thefinal model. Any other model of a tree would beunthinkable. Let us look at a man or a woman. Bothare “final models.” No artist could produce anybetter model for a man or a woman.There are countless things in our world createdby God. But everything in nature is so perfectlycreated that everything is a “final model”. But ifyou look at motor cars manufactured by humans,you will find that very many improvements havebeen made from the time the first motor car wasassembled. And this process of development is stillcontinuing.Studies also show that everything in natureis in perfect order. Take, for example, the distancebetween the sun and the earth. The distancebetween the sun and the earth is 93,000,000 miles.Compare this with alternatives and you will find18
Does God Exist?that this distance is perfectly according to ourneeds.Had this distance been double the presentdistance, i.e. 180,000,000 miles, then the earthwould have become so cold that everythingwould be frozen. No life on earth would havebeen possible. And if this distance were half ofthe present distance, i.e., 50,000,000 miles, thetemperature on the surface of the earth would be sohot that everything would be burnt and again life onearth would be rendered impossible.Now let us take the size of the earth. Had thesize of the earth been double the present size, thegravitational pull would have increased to such anextent that it would have badly affected the growthof human beings. Every man and woman wouldhave been reduced to dwarf-like sizes.If the earth were half of the present size, thegravitational pull of the earth would have decreaseddangerously. Then every man and woman wouldhave experienced an unchecked physical growth.Everyone would be as tall as the Qutub Minar.What a terrible world it would be!19
In Search of GodBut, in the world of nature, everything isperfect from the outset. There is no need forreform or improvement. Everything is a perfect andfinal model. No change is required in anything. Thiswonderful perfection is a clear proof that thereis a perfect Creator behind creation. Otherwiseperfection of such a kind in this world could neverhave been possible.Checks and BalancesStudies show that in nature a system ofchecks and balances is prevalent everywhere.Without this system, our world would have becomeuninhabitable.One such example is found in the world ofinsects. Biological studies tell us that every insecthas the potential of unlimited growth. For example,every grasshopper has the potential to grow biggerand bigger until it becomes as big as a camel or anelephant. This is true of every other insect.According to this, our world should have beenfilled with insects as large as elephants and camels.Had it been so, there would have been no possibility20
Does God Exist?of mankind living in such a jungle of huge animalsand creating a civilization.How was mankind saved from this horriblefate? It was due to a simple mechanism in nature.The fact is that although the body of an insect hasthe ability for unlimited growth, its breathing tubedoes not have any scope for growth. This doublesystem in the body of insects serves as a checkagainst its unlimited growth. The growing bodyof the insect narrows its breathing tube and thisdouble mechanism in its body serves as a killer forthe insects.The planet earth is a unique exception inthe Universe because of its rare qualitiesand attributes. This exception itself is aproof of God’s existence.There are so many other examples of suchchecks, and it is these checks that maintain thebalance in our world. If this were not so, our earthwould have become uninhabitable for mankind. (SeeMan Does not Stand Alone by Cressy Morrison)21
In Search of GodThe planet earth is a unique exception in theUniverse because of its rare qualities and attributes.All the numerous celestial bodies in the Universeare either huge fiery stars or rocky planets, withthe sole exception of the earth, which has life andits accompanying support elements. This exceptionitself is a proof of God’s existence. Every exceptionnecessarily requires an answer to the question:Who or what is the cause of this exception?Without believing in ‘cause and effect’, you cannotexplain why there is an exception. And this uniqueexception in the case of the earth is proof enoughthat God exists.Belief in God is the most important thingfor man. Man is nothing without this belief.In conclusion, I would like to say that in sucha situation the choice we have is not between theuniverse with God, and the universe without God.This is not an option. The real option is betweenthe universe with God or no universe at all. Aswe cannot opt for the proposition “the Universewithout God” we are compelled to opt for theproposition, “the Universe with God.”22
Man Does Not Stand AloneJulian Huxley, (1887-1975) the well-known Britishwriter, did not believe in God. He believed that mandid not need God, a concept explained in his aptlytitled book: Man Stands Alone.It is noteworthy that a reputed Americanscientist, Cressy Morrison, countered Huxley’sthesis with a book titled: Man Does Not StandAlone.Even more so today, many people express theview that they do not need God; that success canbe theirs without their believing in the Almighty.But if you conduct a survey, you will find that theirviews do not reflect mature perception. In fact,such remarks are spawned by immature mindsmostly belonging to the under forty age group.Psychological and biological studies show thathuman beings attain maturity only after reachingmiddle age. Prior to this, they are not in a positionto form any sound opinions on the realities of life.23
In Search of GodSurveys show, indeed, that superficial remarksabout God are made mostly by those who are as yetimmature. But with the transition from immaturityto maturity, which comes with the acquisitionof experience and knowledge, a great number ofpeople, including atheists and apostates, becomeserious in their approach to the subject of God.A thinker has aptly said:A smattering of knowledge turnspeople away from God. Greaterknowledge brings them back toHim.Here are a few examples to illustrate this point.Let us take the case of a youth who, having grownup with romantic ideas, enthusiastically entersupon married life by opting for a “love marriage”.But very soon this love turns to hate and the coupleultimately separate. Then the husband realizes thathis acceptance of love as the “summum bonum” wasthe result of his own immaturity. Consciously orunconsciously, he begins to feel that his perceptionhas not been clear enough to understand life indepth and that a superior guide is required tocompensate for his inexperience.24
Man Does Not Stand AloneThen there is the example of an ambitiousbusinessman who starts a business. His businessgoes on expanding until a time comes when itbecomes unmanageable. Now he realizes thatcertain personal limitations bar his way to fulfillinghis desires and ambitions. He comes to feel that heneeds a vaster world in order to realize his dreams.However great one’s material success, oneinevitably dies within the span of 100 years,leaving all one’s wealth behind.Similarly, yet another youth forms a politicalparty in order to fulfill his ambitions, and a timecomes when he finally contrives to secure animportant political niche for himself. But then hemeets the fate of Jawaharlal Nehru. Like Nehruafter he was elevated to the position of PrimeMinister, he suffers from second thoughts. He feelsthat there exists a far greater power than himselfand that, without the cooperation of this power, hecannot carry his plans into effect.Most young people enter life with greatambitions. But again and again they undergo such25
In Search of Godexperiences as remind them of their helplessness.Disease, accidents, losses, disadvantages—all theserepeatedly remind them that their lot in life is oneof unfulfilled desires. Then they see that, howevergreat one’s material success, one inevitably dieswithin the span of 100 years, leaving all one’s wealthbehind. Such bitter reflection shows that all thesweet dreams of childhood and youth stemmed fromignorance. For it is impossible to have completefulfillment in this present imperfect world.In this vast universe, man’s only source ofsupport is God. It is by God’s guidance thatman’s ship is brought safely to the shore.One’s goal in life—whether it be the making ofmoney, the acquisition of fame or power, or anythingelse of this nature—proves less than ideal. Afterthe individual manages to achieve these things,he again suffers from the feeling that whatever hehas achieved falls far below his expectations. Thushe remains as unsatisfied as ever. Finding successbecomes as meaningless as not finding it.26
God–A Source of ConvictionIf You have a super-telescope that can view theentire Universe, you will first of all see that rareplanet called Earth. You will observe that, amidstthe totally lifeless universe, this tiny planet has anabundance of life and all kinds of life-supportingelements. This rare, exceptional sight is sooverwhelming that you will be wonder-struck.You will also see that—the Earth, along withits moon and the other planets, is continuously inmotion, i.e. it rotates on its axis, and orbits aroundthe sun. Then this entire solar system revolves in thewider circle of the galaxy. And this galaxy rotates inthe much wider circle of the other galaxies.The movement of the stars and planets in thisvast endless space will appear astonishingly strangeto your sight. You will then see an unbelievablenumber of vast balls of fire, called stars, whichrotate with great speed. Amidst all these astralbodies, our Earth appears hardly bigger than a grainof sand. And this sight will be so strange to you27
In Search of Godthat your own existence will appear to be totallyinsignificant and valueless. This experience will leadyou to the discovery of two things at the same time.Firstly, there is a powerful God in this universe, whois its Creator as well as its Sustainer. If you can recallthis sight of the universe to your mind, your heartwill automatically call out that the universe itself isa clear proof of its Creator. Secondly, you will feelthat you are a helpless and an insignificant creaturein this universe, and that without God, your veryexistence is not possible. This is the most importantreality of life. When one comprehends this reality,one will voluntarily turn towards God. With one’swhole being, one will call out: “O God, help me! For,without Your help everything will go wrong.”In this vast universe, man’s only source ofsupport is God. It is by God’s guidance that man’sship is brought safely to the shore. Belief in God isthe most important thing for man. Man is nothingwithout this belief.Sometimes, in the course of daily life, afeeling of helplessness comes over man, the samekind of helplessness that he experiences after theobservation of the universe through a telescope.28
God–A Source of ConvictionAll men and women have the feeling that theysuffer from limitations, when they cannot achievewhat they want. These limitations make them feelhelpless. Each one of us has experienced eithera loss, illness, accidents, death or old age. Theseexperiences repeatedly remind us of the fact thatwe are in need of a superior power. Without thehelp of such a superior power, we cannot go onin life. These feelings amount to a psychologicalproof of the existence of God. We go through thispsychological experience at some point of timein our lives. Each one of us, in his inner feelings,witnesses the existence of God.The nature of every human being constantlyurges him or her to recognise the need for God.Without God, our lives cannot be complete.Without the help of God, we cannot succeed in life.Man’s position is further illustrated by thefollowing example.A hundred years ago, a ship sailed from thecoast of America to Africa. When the ship was farout to the deep sea, a severe storm broke out. Theship began to shake and jolt. All the passengers werein a state of great fear and anxiety. At this time of29
In Search of Godcrisis, one of the passengers saw a little girl sitting ina corner of the deck. She was playing with her dolls,quite undisturbed by the storm. On seeing this, hebecame curious and asked her, “Do you know whatis happening to our ship?” She asked, “What is thematter?” The passenger told her that the ship wascaught in a dangerous storm. The girl calmly replied:“You know, my father is the captain of this ship. Heis not going to let it sink.”The girl’s faith in her father saved her frombeing a victim of fear at this crucial moment. Thesame is true of a religious person. He has the samechildlike faith in his Creator, God Almighty. But hisis a faith of far greater intensity. When catastrophethreatens, he can say with much stronger convictionthat God Almighty is the captain of the ship of hislife: He will never let it sink at any time or in anysituation.In short, spirituality awakens the mind.Spirituality is a great strength at all times.Spirituality is the best formula for characterbuilding. Spirituality is a promoter of all good anda killer of all evils. Spirituality is the essence of allreligions. Let’s all adopt this universal religion.30
God-Oriented LifeThe earth is the sun’s satellite. It constantly orbitsaround the sun. It takes one year to complete sucha rotation. This movement of the earth around thesun is essential for the healthy functioning of life onearth. If the earth did not revolve around the sun,its existence would have no meaning, and life wouldcome to an end.The present universe is a completeintroduction to God. God is visiblein His creations.This is a practical example of how we shouldlead our lives in this world. This example is indeeda physical demonstration that shows how manmust revolve around God, just as the earth revolvesaround the sun. It means that all of man’s activitiesshould be based on God.31
In Search of GodThe earth rotates as compelled to by the lawsof nature. But man, of his own free will, shouldsurrender to God. He should build a life, which isbased on the concept of God. This consciousness isthe real ascension of man. In this consciousness liesthe secret of all success.The God-oriented life begins with thediscovery of God. When individuals, whether menor women, discover God, it means that they havefound the truth. And this truth pervades theirwhole being. This feeling of having discovered thetruth becomes such a thrilling experience that it fillsthem with everlasting conviction. This everlastingconviction removes all frustrations from their lives.Therefore, losses are no longer such, for, in spite ofthem, they never lose the feeling that their greatestasset, i.e. God, is still with them.Man experiences this realization by ponderingupon God’s creations. The truth is that the presentuniverse is an expression of God’s attributes. Inthis respect, the present universe is a completeintroduction to God. God is visible in His creations,just as a human being sees his own reflection in themirror, without having any doubts about it.32
God-Oriented LifeThe vastness of space tells man that God, itsCreator, is boundless. The observation of the sunand the stars shows us that God is all light. Theheights of the mountains show us the greatnessof God. The waves of the sea and the flow of theriver tell us that God is a storehouse of boundlessblessings. We see God’s bounties in the greenery ofthe trees. Man’s existence becomes a proof of God’sexistence. In the waft of air he experiences a divinetouch. In the chirping of the birds, he hears God’ssong
the universe with God and the universe without God. The real option is between the universe with God and no universe at all. Therefore humanity is compelled to opt for the proposition the universe with God. Hence it is logical to say I exist, therefore, God exists. In Search of God In Search of God ISBN 978-81-7898-291-5 9 788178 982915 www .
