Proof of God Arguments in the Islamic Tradition
A text-led survey of classical proofs for God's existence across major thinkers in the Islamic world, studied as real arguments from primary texts.
Ustadh Reece Byfield
BA Philosophy (First Class), King's College London. MPhil Theology, Religion and Philosophy of Religion, University of Cambridge. Studying 'Alimiyyah at al-Salam Institute under Shaykh Akram Nadwi. Holds ijazat in various texts.
Course Overview
We study the classical proofs as real arguments, from primary texts. You will engage directly with the reasoning of major Islamic thinkers and leave with clear versions of each argument, the main objections and replies, and a practical framework for real conversations.
What You Will Leave With
- Clear versions of each argument
- Main objections and replies
- A practical framework for real conversations
Syllabus
Week 1 Kalam Cosmological Proofs — al-Ghazali
We begin with one of the most famous arguments in Islamic theology: the argument from temporal origination.
Kalam Cosmological Proofs — al-Ghazali
We begin with one of the most famous arguments in Islamic theology: the argument from temporal origination.
- Abu Hamid al-Ghazali — Burhan al-Huduth
- Primary text: Al-Iqtisad fi al-I'tiqad
Week 2 Kalam Cosmological Proofs — al-Maturidi & Ibn Hazm
Two further formulations of the cosmological argument, each with a distinct method of reasoning.
Kalam Cosmological Proofs — al-Maturidi & Ibn Hazm
Two further formulations of the cosmological argument, each with a distinct method of reasoning.
- Abu Mansur al-Maturidi — Dalil al-A'rad — Kitab al-Tawhid
- Ibn Hazm al-Andalusi — Burhan al-Tanahi — Al-Fasl fi al-Milal wa-al-Ahwa' wa-al-Nihal
Week 3 Contingency — Ibn Sina & Burhan al-Siddiqin
The shift from cosmological to metaphysical reasoning. Ibn Sina's proof from necessity and contingency.
Contingency — Ibn Sina & Burhan al-Siddiqin
The shift from cosmological to metaphysical reasoning. Ibn Sina's proof from necessity and contingency.
- Ibn Sina — Burhan al-Siddiqin
- Primary text: Kitab al-Nijat min al-Gharaq fi Bahr al-Dalalat
Week 4 Contingency after Ibn Sina — al-Razi & Ibn Taymiyya
How later scholars refined, challenged, and redirected the argument from contingency.
Contingency after Ibn Sina — al-Razi & Ibn Taymiyya
How later scholars refined, challenged, and redirected the argument from contingency.
- Fakhr al-Din al-Razi — al-Imkan wa-al-Iftiqar — Al-Matalib al-'Aliya min al-'Ilm al-Ilahi
- Ibn Taymiyya — Tashih Dalil al-Imkan — Dar' Ta'arud al-'Aql wa-al-Naql
Week 5 Teleology — Ibn Rushd & Ibn Taymiyya
The argument from design and purpose in creation, drawn from Quranic methodology.
Teleology — Ibn Rushd & Ibn Taymiyya
The argument from design and purpose in creation, drawn from Quranic methodology.
- Ibn Rushd — Dalil al-'Inaya — Al-Kashf 'an Manahij al-Adilla
- Ibn Taymiyya — al-Istidlal bi-al-Ayat — Sharh al-'Aqida al-Isbahaniyya
Week 6 Innate Arguments — Ibn Taymiyya
The argument from innate knowledge (fitra) — that awareness of God is built into human nature.
Innate Arguments — Ibn Taymiyya
The argument from innate knowledge (fitra) — that awareness of God is built into human nature.
- Ibn Taymiyya — Dalil al-Fitra
- Primary text: Dar' Ta'arud al-'Aql wa-al-Naql