«
1
Helpful
»
0
Unhelpful
1 Answer
1 Helpful
0 Unhelpful

The Hanbali jurist Ibn Al-Qayyim (d. 1350) used an example of a watermill spinning on its own, producing, harvesting and distributing its crops without anyone to guide it to argue for the existence of a creator:

"What do you say about a watermill revolving over a river in perfection?

Its tools are perfected, its parts measured with excellence, and it is so obvious such that no observer can find fault in its parts or its form. It presides over a grand garden within which are every kind of fruit and crops, watering them as needed. Within this garden, its shrubbery is gathered and its maintenance is assured for its well-being. Its produce is excellent and guaranteed, and all of its needs are well served.

Thus, nothing of it is left disordered and none of its fruit is left to rot. Then, the value of everything produced is divided according to their needs and necessities, divided by every type and distributed, and this distribution occurs in this manner at all times.

Do you find this arrangement to have a creator or harvester or manager?

Or, is the arraignment of that watermill and garden without an actor or maintainer or manager?

What do you find that your mind tells you in that case and how could you explain it?" (MiftāḥDār al-Sa'ādah wa Manshūr Wilāyat al-'Ilm wa al-Idārah)


User Settings


What we provide!

Vote Content

Great answers start with great insights. Content becomes intriguing when it is voted up or down - ensuring the best answers are always at the top.

Multiple Perspectives

Questions are answered by people with a deep interest in the subject. People from around the world review questions, post answers and add comments.

An authoritative community

Be part of and influence the most important global discussion that is defining our generation and generations to come

Join Now !

Update chat message

Message

Delete chat message

Are you sure you want to delete this message?

...