The subtle art and science of regulating systems, whether in nature or man-made machines, suggest an intelligent wisdom behind the design.
This wisdom make it possible to put forth all the system components fit together in a delicate process of coordination and synchronization in a controlled manner, along with a subtle interplay of system and the environment, to reach system specific goals.
These general principles of system design, that govern every natural phenomenon at play in every creation of this universe, bear evidence to the existence of a perfect and powerful wisdom.
We continue the explanation of Imam Ja’far on the existence of God while in dialog with an Indian scientist. The discussion is reached to the point when the Indian scientist considers that this earth and universe always existed for infinite time and will remain so and that there is no sign for the existence of one unique God.
On the contrary, Imam Ja’far discredits his idea with the application of general principles of system design which are at work behind every creation and then amazingly proves the existence of an absolute wisdom behind every creation:
Indian Scientist: It is true that I did not see that tree of Halila. However, I do claim that the Halila, the Halila tree and all other existing things have always been perceivable from senses. Can you argue to invalidate this claim?
Imam Ja’far: Yes, I do have. Have you seen the tree of Halila before it produced this Halila fruit?
Indian Scientist: Yes, I have seen it.
Imam Ja’far: Did you see Halila inside this tree at that time?
Indian Scientist: No.
Imam Ja’far: Then, don’t you agree that when you saw the tree at one time, it had no Halilas on it? However, another time when you saw it again, it had produced those Halila fruits. You observed that the something new is attached to this tree which was non-existent before that.
Indian Scientist: I cannot deny the creation of Halila fruit. However, I would also add that whatever ingredients were needed to make a Halila, were already present, in isolated form, in the tree.
Imam Ja’far: Have you seen that Halila fruit from which this Halila tree grew up?
Indian Scientist: Yes I have seen them.
Imam Ja’far: Do you believe that the roots, branches, bark, leaves and all the fruits of Halilas which are produced over time, which in fact altogether weigh many tons, were all lying hidden in so small that seed of Halila?
Indian Scientist: No. It is hard to believe that all these things could be concealed in one seed.
Imam Ja’far: Would you admit then that it not possible for all these things to be present in a single seed of Halila and that they all came into existence out of the Halila tree?
Indian Scientist: Yes, I agree. However, still I do not believe that Halilas, produced by its tree, were created by some creator. Can you provide an evidence?
Imam Ja’far: Sure, why not? Before that, let me ask you a question. Do you admit the existence of a designer when you see a well designed product and the existence of a painter when you see a painting?
Indian Scientist: Yes, sure. There is nothing to reject it!
Imam Ja’far: You know that this Halila fruit is developed with a delicate design and shape with appropriate proportion and arrangements of its contents? it is endowed with a special colors blended with each other like white in yellow. It is designed with specific size, special seed, special taste.
Some portion of its kernel is soft, while the rest is hard, one part blended into another has formed a compound, there is a layer over layer, body over body, and color over color. This fruit has tiny fluid channels to supply water and nutritions to other parts.
It has a hard stuff wrapped by a soft one. Its structure is composed of tiny particles united together. Its yellow color has a whitish tinge. It has a skin to protect it from external hazards. The roots are designed to convey moisture. The leaves protect it from the sun lest it be burnt and scorched to ashes.
Further, the same leaves protect it from cold lest it be reduced to a tiny size and get into a state where it lose its vigor and texture.
Indian Scientist: Would it not have been better to cover the Halila with the leaves?
Imam Ja’far: God is the best judge. Had it been covered with leaves as you suggest, the air, which gives it strength and vigor, would not have reached it to keep it refreshed.
It would have stopped the cold breeze which makes it robust. Further, the sun would not be able to ripen it. It would have not perfected and eventually would have gone rotten.
The delicate influences of light, water and air are so proportionately adjusted as to bring the fruit to its perfection. Such a marvelous design could only be possible by the absolute wisdom of God- the Almighty.
Indian Scientist: It is more than enough and I understand what you have explained about its design and structure. Now, would you please explain, as you promised, the wisdom behind the creation of Halila?
Imam Ja’far: Have you observed this Halila before it is ripen and got perfected? Was it not a tiny grain and there was nothing but water in it and it had no body, shell, core, skin, color, taste and hardness?
Indian Scientist: Yes, I have observed that phenomenon.
Imam Ja’far: If its designer, knowledgeable planner and powerful creator had not intervened, controlled and strengthened that tiny seed, which was akin to a drop of water, then could it be possible for this particle to have that perfect design and structure, at a later stage, whichI have explained earlier?
How could it assume its present form and shape, if any of these processes and phenomena were not carefully controlled by its skilled designer and creator? Malfunctioning in any of these processes, for instance excessive increase of water supply, could easily result in an entirely different thing and would make it impossible to make this Halila fruit.
Indian Scientist: Wow! I do now accept, with the help of your explanation and beyond any doubt, that Halila is a well designed product and it definitely is created by someone. Further, with the same token, everything we see in nature has a creator and designer behind it.
However, this acceptance is not in the sense of accepting one distinct creator? How do we know whether or not these things have not created themselves!
Imam Ja’far: By observing this delicate system in the creation of Halila, don’t you acknowledge that its creator must be very wise and knowledgeable? It is because, by principle, a perfect design suggests the existence of a perfect intelligence and wisdom behind it. Does it not?
Please visit the next article in series: Theory of Self-Creation
References
1. Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (`a): Reported by his companion Mufaddal ibn Umar al Jaufi and recorded by ‘Allamah Majlisi (d. 1110 AH) in Bihar al Anwar vol 3 pages 153-196