The ‘Blind Watchmaker’ who is also Deaf and Dumb – Part V

The blind step forward theory can only work in some limited cases and they have to be critically examined to remove the confusion they could cause. The creation of coral islands is just the case in point. The death of each coral, out of trillions upon trillions of them, does not show any purpose. Yet when they pile up one upon the other, maybe in millions of years, the progressive enlargement of their mass ultimately creates coral islands. If we look back at how the process began and was completed, we may allude to it a purpose which apparently it does not possess. One could envisage mountains being built in the middle of the oceans so patiently, bit by bit, over aeons. They do not come to the notice of those living on land until they break to the surface. Then they begin to serve a purpose which we may read into their making when they become coral islands. They serve and support life in so many wonderful ways. This is the case of random bit by bit creation of things in whose creation a preceding purpose is not traceable. It may not have been there at all, yet their usefulness cannot be denied. The laws of nature run independently if there is no mind to operate them. It is they who operate and govern everything that exists. The living are not exempt from this all-pervasive principle. The absence of a conscious mind to manipulate these laws completely does away with the imaginary line which is said to separate the living from the dead. If the brain of the living cannot design itself and cannot play any conscious role in the making of the body which possesses it, then the living and the dead are governed exactly alike by the same laws of nature. It has to be only these mindless laws which are responsible for the cumulative building of the bricks of life. If they are capable of building the bricks of life, they are far more likely to build a mere Empire State Building through the same cumulative 53Review of Religions – December 2002 The ‘Blind Watchmaker’ Who is also Deaf and Dumb – part V This is an extract taken from the book Revelation, Rationality, Knowledge and Tr u t h, written by Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad. bit by bit process. Yet the naturalists contradict themselves and refuse to believe the bit by bit piling up of the Empire State Building by cumulative random steps, however small tiny and insignificant they may have been. Here they artificially create a divide between the laws of nature at work on dead matter and the laws of nature at work on the living. In reality no such divide should exist if there is no conscious operator of natural laws on either side. Naturalists confess that there is no conscious operator in the case of the living, hence they must admit there is no difference between the living and the dead. All that remain are the free laws of nature, working on the living as well as the dead. If they by themselves could create things as complex as the bricks of life, then for them to create the Empire State Building should have been much less difficult than the building of a molehill by a mole. The only objection, which in fact is no objection at all, may relate to the time available. But the time available to nature at work on the dead is far greater than that available in relation to the evolution of life. Forget for a while the existing Empire State Building because it is a known fact that it was created by a conscious mind. Visualise instead the possibility of hundreds of thousands of far loftier and more complex skyscrapers created merely by the physical laws of nature during the last fifteen billion years or so. Remember that the laws remain exactly the same in the case of the living as well as the dead, and remember that the existence of a conscious mind is ruled out by naturalists in both cases. Hence no divide between the two can exist if sanity must prevail. As such, the bit by bit creation of complexities and order must be evident in both cases alike. Hence any person who believes in the creation of life without a mind preceding it has every hypothetical right to jump to the top of the Empire State Building and pronounce from its loftiness: this building is the work of trillions of piled up random chances. There is no design and no conscious preceding mind which perceived it. It is only a delusion entertained by some stupid religious people who are overimpressed by the exquisiteness of the finished work. The same pronouncement should also apply with equal force to the evolutionists who deny purpose and design in the evolution of life. They stand at the pinnacle of evolution where it culminated in man. Looking down from their vantage point, the Empire State Building should have appeared as the tiniest of spots somewhere on the planet Earth. Yet they shout at the top of their voices: there is no design, no purpose to our creation, we are impossible to exist, yet we appear to exist. All the world is an illusion. You think that we exist and we have the illusion that you 54 The ‘Blind Watchmaker’ Who is also Deaf and Dumb – part v Review of Religions – December 2002 also exist. Thus the whole universe is a chain of illusions like those entertained by subjective philosophers. To dispel the illusion of existence, think once again of the haemoglobin number and vanish into nothingness! By denying the existence of a Creator who has to be a person with a conscious mind and all the powers to implement His decisions, they try to replace Him with a formless idea. It is this absurdity, to attribute the process of creation or selection to a mindless idea, which is categorically rejected in the following verse of the Holy Qur’an: Have they feet wherewith they walk, or have they hands wherewith they hold, or have they eyes wherewith they see, or have they ears wherewith they hear? Say, ‘Call upon the partners you associate with God, then contrive ye all against me, and give me no time’.29 This Qur’anic statement is evidently addressed to the idolaters of that age and reminds them that though they believe that their gods are living persons possessing human forms, yet they are mere formless ideas. The statement should have ended here and the question of time should not have been raised as it is raised. The last part of this verse clearly implies that mere ideas cannot create. though they may have as much time as possible at their disposal. God on the other hand is not dependent on any vast expanse of time for His creative faculties. In its entirety, the verse can only apply to the modern idea of natural selection which is claimed to be responsible for the evolution of life provided it is given enough time. The factor of time in the context of natural selection is fundamentally essential. A limbless, armless, mindless vague idea is proposed to work in the frame of an enormous time to suit the theory of bit by bit evolution. Squeeze the time to a mere billion years and the theory immediately begins to crack and fall apart. This leaves no doubt that it is time which is all-important to them in the creative processes of life. This is exactly 55 The ‘Blind Watchmaker’ Who is also Deaf and Dumb – part v Review of Religions – December 2002 what the Qur’an denies in effect when it says: Formless ideas can have as much time as they may, but God with His creative faculties can create in practically no time. This factor of time has only gained importance in the modern age, in relation to Darwinian principles. One may have doubts that this verse was intended to apply to this modern concept but the fact that the whole idea of the verse is so perfectly applicable to it can in no way be denied. Intended or not intended the theory of natural selection could not have been criticised in better words. Naturalists claim that both the function of creation and the function of selection are performed by forces which are separate yet work in perfect unison. They would have us believe that the mindless genes create, and a formless, impersonal law of natural selection selects. At the same time however, they dismiss the issue of genes as though taken for granted and subjugate them to the authority of natural selection. Thus they unite the two functions which have to be treated as separate, combining them in a most absurd manner. If genes recede into an inconspicuous position as creators, what is left into the bargain is merely a selector which admittedly has no mind with a conscious decision-making faculty. Genes thus pushed aside, natural selection is the only factor which remains in the field. In this sense the separate functions of creation and selection are moulded, without justification, into one. However, no scientist with the slightest idea of what Darwin propounds can attribute to him the claim that natural selection could also directly create. There has to be some creation before natural selection can begin to work. It is this dilemma which the proponents of natural selection can never resolve. The Holy Qur’an presents a completely different picture fitting perfectly into the slot of the problem. The Qur’an declares that the realities of evolution require that the creator and the selector cannot be two separate persons. Whoever creates, it is only He Who can select from His own creative works. What He does not select as the next advanced character is not wiped out of existence but remains to widen the base of His creation at every such level playing a meaningful role in the scheme of things. Thus every time a step forward in evolution is taken, the base of evolution is simultaneously broadened to support what has been added to its rising column. 56 The ‘Blind Watchmaker’ Who is also Deaf and Dumb – part v Review of Religions – December 2002 According to the Qur’an, man could not have occupied the lofty position he occupies and maintained it without the ecosystem which the lower order of animal life provides. To this the following verse specifically refers: And if Allah were to punish men for their wrongdoing, He would not leave thereon any animal, but He gives them respite till an appointed tenn; and when their term is come, they cannot remain behind a single hour, nor can they go ahead of it.30 (Ch.16: v.62) The most significant point to be noted is that it is the entire animal life which would be wiped out if man is to be punished. It is evident that the entire lower order of life serves no purpose other than to maintain the human life above. If that goes, they all go. Thus the final all-important question which has to be raised and answered by philosophers, scientists and those who believe that natural selection virtually plays both the role of a selector and a creator in the scheme of things, is precisely the following: They must somehow be combined in the person of the creator and not in that of a selector who cannot create. This is the only logical conclusion which anyone can draw. But this can only lead to God, which the naturalist would struggle hard to avoid. It was to eliminate this inevitable conclusion that Darwin attempted to attribute both these functions to natural selection in an indirect manner. Did Darwin ever present the idea that natural selection could also create? To the best of our knowledge, he never did so. He knew, like any intelligent man should have known that the role of selection and that of creation are two separate functions. It would be far more logical if he who performed the function of creation 57 The ‘Blind Watchmaker’ Who is also Deaf and Dumb – part v Review of Religions – December 2002 should also have performed the function of selection out of his own creation. This could not suit the blind theory of evolution, hence all the hectic effort to eliminate a conscious creator who could also be the selector. However, it is impossible to conceive a separate plan of selection and a separate plan of creation, both unconscious, yet moving forward hand in hand. Darwin seems to have resolved this problem by suggesting that since natural selection approves the bodies created by genes, so in a manner of speaking, natural selection also acquires the role of a creator in an indirect way. We have written elsewhere at length, rejecting the proposition that the products of genes can be accredited to natural selection directly or indirectly. But here we wish to point out that to attribute creative factors to genes and to simultaneously deprive them of conscious know-how is inherently contradictory. it is absurdity supreme to begin the evolutionary journey from genes without resolving the factors which created genes themselves. It is impossible for a proponent of Darwinism to demonstrate how natural selection could have played any role in the creation of genes. How and why genes create without possessing the creative faculties of a conscious mind is the question which should have been addressed first. In a nutshell, a conscious creator of genes has to be identified or it has to be admitted that unconscious genes created themselves as though they were highly competent and conscious creative faculties. It is intriguing to visualize any mindless thing creating itself with masterly dexterity. The naturalists begin their journey without investigating this most essential prerequisite. Their failure to address this question is because ifis impossible for them to answer it without disrupting their own evolutionary scheme. The Holy Qur’an has a straightforward answer to resolve this riddle by declaring: And thy Lord creates whatever He pleases and selects. It is not for them to select. Glorified be Allah, and far is He above all that they associate.31 (Ch.28: v.69) 58 The ‘Blind Watchmaker’ Who is also Deaf and Dumb – part v Review of Religions – December 2002 The main thrust of this verse is that the task of selection is primarily the prerogative of the Creator and the two cannot be separated. God proclaims Himself to be that Creator Who selects from His own creation. This is how it should be and this is exactly what it is. No naturalist can alter this and replace Him with a mindless Creator of his own choice. In a desperate attempt to do so, they try to combine in natural selection the additional role of a creator. Thus they would much rather believe in a know-nothing mindless principle both as a selector and a creator – lacking consciousness either way. They prefer to be fathered by a mere nothingness. All they are left with is a mindless, non-personal, deaf, dumb and blind principle which they believe must have created them. Incidentally, this brings to mind the saying: likefather, like son. They may take pride in this, but we beg to strongly differ. We much rather prefer to be the work of a Creator Who possesses a supreme mind and the power to implement what He designs. We have to believe in Him or we must deny ourselves the faculties of head and heart which we seem to own. If the non-believers have any option to select, it is here they must exercise that option. Which of the two creators will they select for themselves, is a matter for them to decide. REFERENCES 28. MOMERENKOV, VY, SHUBINA, L.F. (1982) Use of Honey In Treating Eye Diseases – Translation of Russian Article: Feldsher Akush. 29. Translation of 7:196 by Maulawi Sher Ali. 30. Translation of 16:62 by the author. 31. Translation of 28:69 by the author. 59 The ‘Blind Watchmaker’ Who is also Deaf and Dumb – part v Review of Religions – December 2002 60 Review of Religions – December 2002 Index of 2002 Natural Selection and Survival of the Fittest – Life did not create itself nor did death create life. A refreshing rational approach to the concept of evolution. Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad Assessment of Belief – Part II Convincing evidence corroborating the claim of Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) that he is the Promised Messiah and his resemblance to the Messiah of yore. Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) Q/A: Distortion of Religion Distortions of the original message led to the occult. Also the role of the Messiah is to rectify attitudes. Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad My Visit to Qadian Review of Religions’ staff reporter with an eye witness account of his recent visit. Bockarie Tommy Kallon Comment: Religious Extremism Achievments of the Promised Reformer Article enlisting the major achievements during the life of the blessed son of the Promised Messiah(as). Ataul Munim Rasheed Assessment of Belief – Part III The time appointed for the advent of the Mahdi has arrived. Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) Q/A: Harmony and Peace Religious differences should not prevent a civil life. Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad Islam’s Response to Terrorism A keynote address to prevent crashing aeroplanes and sending suicide bombers. Abdul Ghany Jahengeer Khan A Games of Chess or a Game of Chance The spontaneous emergence of life is about as likely as the assemblage of a 747 by a tornado and other evidence. Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad The Holy Qur’an on War and Peace An understanding of Islam’s teachings in warfare including the treatment of prisoners. Hadhrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad Comment: A time to understand and end hatred. The Future of Life on Earth Our feature length article looks at the remarkable way the Holy Qur’an deals with the scenario of continuous evolution on earth, resulting in the creation of a species belonging to an order higher than man. Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad Assessment of Belief – Part IV The time appointed for the advent of the Mahdi has arrived. Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) Q/A: Belief in the Hereafter Some issues concernign heaven and hell. life after death and re-incarnation are answered. Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad Fasting in Religions A brief look at how Islam has always provided rights for women long before western cultures introduced them. Mrs Mansoora Hyder-Muneeb Are the Mountains Moving like the Clouds? Mountains may appear to be finally March 2002 February 2002 January 2002 Index of articles published in Review of Religions 2002 61Review of Religions – December 2002 Index of 2002 fixed but their motion is similar to the movement of the clouds. A fresh look at the verses of the Holy Qur’an and their current scientific interpretation. Dr. Mian M. Abbas C o m m e n t : Acceptance of the Promised Messiah(as). The Pure Heart The role of the heart in bringing man closer to God. Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) Jesus’ Survival from the Cross What the Bible tells us about this intriguing episode. Muzaffar Clarke Is the Shroud of Turin a Medieval Photograph? – A Critical Examination of the Theory: Could the image on the famous cloth be a photograph? A photographer investigates. Barrie M. Schwortz The Israelite Origin of People of Afghanistan and the Kashmiri People Linking the scattered tribes of Israelites with their Jewish roots. . Aziz A. Chaudhry Evidence of Jesus (as) in India Historical evidence of Jesus’ migration to India. Abubakr Ben ishmael Salahuddin Letter: The Catholic Church in America . Religious Beliefs of North American Indians Religious beliefs and practices of the American indians who lived in Canada, USA and Mexico. Zakaria Virk The Purpose of Initiation The struggle that only begins with the initiati and requires the believer to avoid temptation and undergo a demanding programme of reform. Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) Organic Systems and Evolution Examination of organic systems such as sensory organs, and their roles and special features in various species. Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad The Road to Social Peace Comparison of the teachings of various faiths about the responsibilities of both the individual within society, and government towards all members of society, and the facets of both individual and government behaviour that lead to social peace. Fazal Ahmad Q/A: Continuity of Divine Guidance Issues concerning the rationale for a messiah from Islam and Christianity, and the role of the Messiah. Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad Moons of Light Understanding from Islam and other faiths about the nature of Divine Light which is seen on the faces and expressions of prophets. Maulana Bashir Orchard Comment: Learning lessons from World Cup 2002 in Korea andJapan about being good hosts Progress of Islam is Dependant Upon Khilafat Based on a speech given in Germany in 1989. Imam Ataul Mujeeb Rashed Patience and Steadfastness Hardships and the attainment of spiritual progression. Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) June 2002 May 2002 April 2002 The Bondage of Sin – part I Extract from an article that appeared in the January 1902 Review of Religions. The Blind Watchmaker who is also Deaf and Dumb – Part I Continuing our serialisation of the book Revelation, Rationality Knowledge and Truth. Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad Comment: Political Economics. The Pillars of Islam Study into the philosophy behind the pillars of Islam and their real significance. Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) Teotihuacàn – Religious Capital of Central America A look at the religious significance of this city and its sudden disappearance. Fazal Ahmad Q/A: Interpretation of Sharia – Part 2 Answers to questions in Nigeria related to the enforcement of Sharia Law and its perceived harsh nature. Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad Life Sketch – Bashir Ahmad Orchard Brief autobiography of a former editor of this magazine who passed away in July 2002. Judaism – A short Introduction A short introduction based on a speech given at a multi-religious function. David Grunweg The Blind Watchmaker who is also Deaf and Dumb – Part II Continuing our serilisation of the book Revelation, Rationality Knowledge and Truth. Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad A Century Ago: The first editorial published in the Review of Religions stating the purpose of this publication . Islam and the Global Quest for Sustainable Development A review of some of the major environmental issues issues facing the world today and Islam’s answers to these. Dr. Abd Latif Busari The Purpose of Religious Differences Discussion on why and how religious debate should be conducted. Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) The Blind Watchmaker who is also Deaf and Dumb – Part III Continuing our serialisation of the book Revelation, Rationality Knowledge and Truth. Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad The Bondage of Sin – part II Concluding part of an extract from an extremely popular article that appeared in the January 1902 Review of Religions. Comment: A Second Coming. The Blind Watchmaker who is also Deaf and Dumb – Part IV How could the wonders of the honeybee have evolved without a conscious designer? Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad Decree and Destiny The relationship between prayer and Divine determination. Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) Concept of Jihad Understanding the true interpretation of Jihad from the Holy Qur’an, traditions of the Holy Prophet (sa) and writings of the Promised Messiah(as) . Bilal Atkinson – UK The Blessings of Khilafat Keynote address drawing a parallel between Islamic teachings and the Universal September 2002 August 2002 July 2002 62 Review of Religions – December 2002 Index of 2002 Declaration of Human Rights. Rafiq Ahmad Hayat – Amir UK Ramadan – Part I An exposition on the philosophy and importance of fasting in the month of Ramadan. Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad Comment: Moving On. Unity v. Trinity – Part I A critical review of Trinity from a philosophical and historical perspective. Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) Ramadan – Part II How fasting during Ramadan can purify man spiritually as well as physically. Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad Reformation – Part I True spirituality lies in the sincerity in human action and not just in the actions themselves. Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) The Fazl Mosque – A Mosque for All Time An insight into the significance of this mosque over the last 50 years. Hananah Zaheer Braheen-e-Ahmadiyya – A Monumental Book A look at some aspects of this monumental work that remains unmatched in its defence of Islam. Dr. Latif Ahmad Qureshi Islam and Science A brief review of how some recent theories are proving the truth of the Qur’an. Rafi Ahmad Comment: An Aids Memoire 100 Year History of the Magazine A brief review of how some recent theories are proving the truth of the Qur’an. Rafi Ahmad – California, USA Unity v. Trinity – Part II The divinity of Jesus ( a s ) coniderd with reference to the extent of his mission. Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) Centenary Message: From Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV. The Palestinian Question Our feature length article is a transcript of the speech delivered in the UN prior to the creation of Israel which aimed to achieve justice for all parties concerned Chaudhry Zafrulla Khan Reformation – Part II Intention and true desire make actions pure and lead to internal spiritual reformation. Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) Q/A: Spiritual Guidance The need for Prophethood and guidance from the Divine. Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad Christianity Uncovered Discoveries through research and archaeology over the last 100 years have provided insight into the truth behind modern Christianity. Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad Islamic Tolerance and the Concept of Jihad Address delivered in the presence of the President of Mauritius on the promotion of peace, the Charter of Freedom and the true concept of Jihad Imam Ataul Mujeeb Rashed The Blind Watchmaker who is also Deaf and Dumb – Part V Continuing our serialisation of Revelation, Rationality, Knowledge and Truth. Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad Comment: Christmas and Eid are a time for the family. December 2002 November 2002 October 2002 63Review of Religions – December 2002 Index of 2002 We hope you have enjoyed reading this edition of the magazine. The Review of Religions will continue to prov i d e discussion on a wide range of subjects and welcomes any comments or suggestions from its readers. To ensure that you regularly receive this monthly publication, please fill in your details below and we will put you on our mailing list. The cost of one year’s subscription is £15 Sterling or US $30 for overseas readers (Please do not send cash). Pa y m e n t s should be made payable to the London Mosque and sent to the address below: The Review of Religions The London Mosque 16 Gressenhall Road London SW18 5QL United Kingdom Please put me on the mailing list for the Review of Religions for 1 year. I enclose subscription payment of £15.00 or US $30.00. 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