February 2, 2024

By Rafiq Hariz

Born into a Muslim family, I consider myself very fortunate to have been raised in an Islamic household that that made it easy for me to recognize the existence of God in every aspect of my life. My journey took an enlightening turn when I started volunteering at Converts Central, exposing me to individuals from diverse spiritual backgrounds such as atheists and Christians who were discovering Islam. This endeavor emphasized that not everyone shared the same spiritual journey that I had growing up. It also made me recognize the need to be able to explain Islam in a ‘logical’ way, especially when addressing certain questions such as the existence of God, which may be a new topic for such individuals. It also fueled my determination to pursue knowledge to be able to both engage in meaningful discussions about religion and strengthen my conviction as a Muslim.

Thus, the introduction of the course “Why is Islam True?” was warmly welcomed as it is designed to guide individuals in understanding Islam rationally, amongst others, offering a complete perspective on the faith. In this reflection, I will delve into the 3 topics covered in the second session, which is particularly focused on Islam’s relation to science, as well as my key takeaways. Finally, I will share my overall thoughts on the course, emphasizing its significance in shaping a more informed, articulate, and deepened understanding of Islam.

Islamic world view on cause and effects

Building on last week’s lesson, we established that from the argument from contingency (AFC) proof, everything in this universe is contingent (dependent on another thing to make it happen). This week, we delved into the concept of cause-and-effect and in science. Using the example of creating fire, we discussed how science explains it through various causes like needing a fuel source, oxygen, and heat source to combust them. Over-time, we regularly associate that for fire to happen, we need to replicate those same conditions. Whilst true, as a Muslim, I learned that we must break away from simply being content with that conclusion. Instead, we must recognize that these cause and effects are all ultimately contingent things and thus, based on AFC, require a necessary being to exist. This illustration was a simple yet profound reminder for me to practice consciousness of God even in matters related to science as they are not mutually exclusive.

Pavlov’s experiment and it’s implications

The discussion then delved into Pavlov’s experiment, where a dog was conditioned to associate the sound of a bell with receiving food. Over time, the dog began salivating at the mere sound of the bell, even in the absence of food, showcasing the strong mental association created. This experiment vividly illustrates that the sequence of events (the dog salivating after the bell) doesn’t imply causation (dogs’ salivation is caused by the food and not the bell). Drawing parallels to the example of creating fire, I posited that our habitual association of specific conditions with fire production doesn’t mean those elements solely caused the fire; it is ultimately caused by the necessary being. Thus, this experiment serves as an example that at times, our cognitive limitations may hinder us from directly perceiving God as the sole cause of all things. Therefore, we need to be cognizant in breaking away from associating effects solely with observable conditions and instead, recognize God’s influence.

Domino effect line of inquiry

Finally, we discussed the inherent limitations of science. Growing up in Singapore, I was exposed to subjects like Chemistry, Physics, and Biology. However, upon deeper contemplation, science emerges as a discipline rooted in observations, which upon reflection, presents an incomplete picture. For instance, it posits that eye color is influenced by melanin concentration in the iris’s front layers, attributing it to genetic variations in the OCA2 and HERC2 genes — yet these remain as observations. Science often falters when repeatedly probed about the ‘why’. Explored in class as the Domino effect, this line of inquiry underscores that for a rationale to endure, it must ultimately trace back to a necessary being independent of any other existence. This reinforces the conclusions drawn earlier and highlights the intrinsic limitations of relying solely on scientific explanations.

Concluding thoughts

Overall, this experience proved to be truly illuminating, offering me a fresh perspective on Islam, and contributed significantly to a more comprehensive and well-rounded understanding of the religion. The concepts covered in this course, particularly the argument from contingency (AFC), have now become integral to beliefs, reinforcing my conviction as a Muslim. I eagerly anticipate delving further into this intellectual and spiritual journey and encourage individuals from any background to explore this class. It is undoubtedly the best investment of your time!