God Is Fact, Not Delusion

God is Fact, not Delusion

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God is Fact, not Delusion The Study of Evidence for the Existence of God and Criticizing the Suspicions of Non-believers

By: Murtadha M. AlRuwaie

Editor: Writing Center at Eastern Kentucky University

April 10, 2008

God is Fact, not Delusion

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Copyright © 2008 All rights reserved. Granted to copy and distribute this treatise. Viewers are allowed to take any quotation from the treatise from this source. When printing off this treatise, viewers should respect it because it has some verses from the Holy Quran. In other words, please respect this document; do not throw it in the street and keep it in a clean place.

God is Fact, not Delusion

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Contents

First 1 2

Second 1 2

Third 1 2

Fourth 1

Introduction Instinctive Evidence The Presence of Effects leads to the Search for the Cause Who created God? The Human Instinct Personal Feelings Evidence The Relief of the Needy in Hardship and Prosperity What is God like? The Cancellation of Wills Doubt in the Existence Rational Thought Evidence Perfection and Precision in this Universe The Continuity of Movement and Modifying that is usually in the Universe Historical Mentality Evidence Sending Prophets Difference between the Miracle and Magic Conclusion Works Cited

5 6 6 7 8 9 9 10 11 12 12 12 14 15 15 17 17 17

God is Fact, not Delusion

Throughout

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history, humans have always

believed in the existence of their creator. Humans try to be grateful to their creator for all the blessings that are in their lives through different kinds of worship. However, people differ in what they believe about a

The School of Athens, fresco by Raphael, Italy, 1511

creator. For example, people disagree about the number of creators and descriptions of the creator, etc. Some people have faith in the monotheism of God's truth, such as Muslims, people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), and Sabians. Other people make a mistake in the knowledge of God and they become, for

example,

idolaters:

Buddhists,

Hindus,

Many philosophy and logic scholars establish scientific terms and logical methods in order to understand God's truth. In contrast, the prophets, and after them spiritual religious scholars, deal with religion in simple words, argue with nonbelievers, and explain God's truth and styles to appreciate Him.

Shamanists, or Demonologists. On the other hand,

Atheists and infidels thought about the Earth's

there are a few nonbelievers and Atheists. Their

making and the creation of humans and their

disbelief was for reasons such as arrogance (like

evolution as the first step to knowledge of the creator.

Pharaoh), failing to recognize God and ignorance

The disbelievers differ about who controls the world

passed down from parents, and misunderstanding of

and how the world began. Most of them believe the

the causes of evil that exist in the world (like natural

world is ruled by chaos. Some of them believe in the

disasters and diseases). In addition, people have the

eternal world and everything in it, too. Others believe

inability to understand everything about God.

evolution and the laws of nature. Some of them have doubts about their existence and they consider it imagination and deception. Another group does not decide anything. There is a lot of evidence for the existence of God. Some of it is instinctive evidence and some

God is Fact, not Delusion

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comes from personal feelings. Other pieces of

Imam Ja'far Al-Sadiq (A.S) 1 about the evidence for

evidence are rational thought. Additionally, there is

the existence of God. Imam Al-Sadiq answered, "The

historical

interacts

presence of actions indicate that the maker made it. If

continuously, influencing and being influenced by

you look at the constructed building, your mind

other evidence. At the same time, this evidence

recognizes it has a builder; however, you don't see the

contradicts the suspicions of nonbelievers.

builder." (Alhateejaj 332, my translation).

mentality.

This

evidence

In an old story, there was an Atheist king who

First: Instinctive Evidence

did not believe in fate for the world. He had a consultant who believed in God. The consultant

1- The Presence of Effects Leads to the Search for the Cause

wanted to prove to the King that there is a God for this world. He went with the King on a hunting trip in the desert.

After retuning from hunting, the

consultant ordered people to build a big gorgeous city quickly in the same place that they had been hunting. After building the city, he ordered people to live in that city. After time passed, the consultant prepared another hunting trip for the King in the same place. When they arrived, the King was surprised at the The one example of instinctive evidence that

existence of the city. The King said, "It is an attractive

proves the existence of God is that the presence of

big city. It has to have a builder who is skilled and

effects leads to the search for the cause, and our

smart" and asked his consultant "who built this city

curiosity leads to the traits of the causer (is he skilled,

and when?" The consultant replied, "Nobody built this

wise, or vain?) In other words, every creature must

city who did not believe in fate for the world, too."

have a creator, every action must have a doer, and every building must have a builder. Someone asked

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Imam Ja'far Al-Sadiq (A.S) (702-765 AD) was born and buried in Medina. He is the offspring of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He is considered the most notable Muslim scholar in the time of his life. Shi'a Muslims believe he is the sixth infallible Imam, or spiritual leader and successor to prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He has many scientific words in different sciences such as theology, ethics, jurisprudence, and chemistry. In addition, he has had many religious debates with Atheists and jurisprudence of Muslim scholars.

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The King answered to his consultant, "Are you crazy?

person will say to the child, "nobody hit your neck."

That is impossible." His consultant replied, "The

Does the child believe that? Obviously not.

madman is the one who believes no one created earth that is thousands of times larger than this city." Who created the creator (God)?

The question is considered forbidden for religions reasons (Islam, Christianity, and Judaism) because it came from the devil's whisper. In addition, the human mind is unable to understand everything in the world. The question asks about something humans cannot understand.

Arabic history says that a nomad was asked, "How do you know God?" He replied, "a little camel leads to mother camel, footprints indicate that someone passed, and the heavens have orbits that planets follow accurately, and the earth has wide valleys and roads between the highlands. These must lead to the existence of a knower and seer." This Nomad's sentence became an Arabic proverb to indicate the existence of God.

There are many things humans believe that the mind cannot understand. For example, when strange things happen, it is sometimes called a miracle

This evidence is instinctive even for children.

because the mind cannot understand their occurrence.

For example, if someone hit the neck of a four-year

In mathematics, -1 has value even though a mind

old child and the child does not know who did it, the

cannot completely understand it. In addition, a human

child will ask, "Who hit my neck? And why?" That

usually says the word "I" when he wants to speak about himself. Does he mean his spirit, his mind, his

God is Fact, not Delusion

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sense of self, or his body that changes throughout his life (childhood, adolescence, adulthood)? The mind still cannot understand the spirit and the reality of death. The question about who created God is not logical because it asks about the creator, not a

The Mercedes-Benz Factory. Stuttgart, Germany.

creature. It asks about someone who is the essential and eternal being, who created and creates everything

If someone visited a car factory and he saw

and is the source of all things. Everyone knows that everyone came from another source (like parents), but in the end, all things return to the main source—God. For example, if one gets a forwarded email message from his friend and looks back at whom it has been sent to, he will find its original author.

robots gathering spare parts of cars by themselves, does that person refuse the existence of a programmer who programmed these robots? The existence of the operator who runs robots and checks the robots works because he has never seen that programmer or operator?

This instinctive evidence refutes the idea that Instincts are usually right in helping people

the world is ruled by chaos.

understand what is right and wrong such as truth and honesty. Lying and theft are usually bad. For

2- The Human Instinct

example, a group of people studies human lives in different environments: the first person has graduated

The second logical evidence is instinct that is

from Harvard University, the second one was raised

stored in the creature's brain and influences his/her

in the Amazon Forest, and a third is a Bedouin in the

behavior. Who installed it in the creature's brain?

Sahara. The reseachers will understand that all three persons studied know right from wrong. Who taught them?

God is Fact, not Delusion

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Second: Personal Feelings Evidence The Holy Quran says, (7) And a soul and Him Who perfected it (8) And inspired it (with conscience of) what is

1- The Relief of the Needy in Hardship and Prosperity

wrong for it and (what is) right for it. [Sura AshShams (91): Verse 7-8] Sayed. Hadi Al-Modarresi 2 said in his second lecture in the year 2000 about The Monotheism of God, "also animals have knowledge of right and wrong. For example, if a cat steals food, she will be uncomfortable in eating and watching the owner's food (if her owner knows that she stole food, the cat

The tsunami that struck Thailand on December 26, 2004.

will be shy from her work), but if someone gives it the One proof of obvious personal feelings is the food, the cat will be comfortable" (my translation). relief of the needy in hardship and prosperity. In other Who gave felines and other animals discrimination words, a human sometimes gets sick, oppressed, about right and wrong and who taught them how to waylaid, calling for help, or is fearful, and nobody eat, how to walk, how to rid of waste, and how to (parents, tribe, and country) can help him in his procreate, etc.? Of course, that someone is the creator, problem. The heart of that person will connect to the shaper of thought, the fashioner, the wise, and the someone who is a remover of anxiety and expeller of knower: God. sorrow. That is God. A man came to Al-Sadiq (A.S), and said to him, "Atheists make me skeptical about God. Guide me to God." Al-Sadiq (A.S) replied, "Have you never traveled by ship?" The man 2

Sayed. Hadi Al-Modarresi was born in 1950. He is one of the important Shiite Iraqi Scholars. He has many books, articles and lectures about faiths, Ethics, Psychology, and Policy. His style is characterized as interesting, attractive, logical, and simple.

answered, "Yes, I have." Al-Sadiq (A.S) said,

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God is Fact, not Delusion

"Did the ship break and nobody could help

(22) He it is Who maketh you to go on the

you?" The man said, "Yes, it did." Al-Sadiq

land and the sea till, when ye are in the ships

(A.S.) said, "Was your heart attached to

and they sail with them with a fair breeze and

something that can help you?" The man said,

they are glad therein, a storm-wind reacheth

"Yes, it was." Al-Sadiq (A.S.) said, "That thing

them and the wave cometh unto them from

is God, he is able to deliver and succor you in

every side and they deem that they are

times when you do not have a helper." (Nuadr

overwhelmed therein; (then) they cry unto

Alabar 65, my translation)

Allah, making their faith pure for Him only: If

Imam Ali ibn Husayn (A.S) 3 explains that station in his prayer called "Dua'a Jaushan E Kabeer"

Thou deliver us from this, we truly will be of the thankful (23) Yet when He hath delivered them, behold! they rebel in the earth wrongfully.

(11) O Provider in my hardship, O Source of Hope in my misfortune, O Companion in my isolation, O Fellow Traveller in my journey, O Friend in my ease, O Rescuer from my trials, O Guide in my errancy, O Resource in my

mankind! Your rebellion is only against yourselves. (Ye have) enjoyment of the life of the world; then unto Us is your return and We shall proclaim unto you what ye used to do. [Sura Yunus (10): Verse 22-23]

neediness, O Shelter in my helplessness, O Deliverer from my fears.

The Holy Quran talks about returning a nonbeliever to Him in hardship:

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Imam Ali ibn Husayn (A.S) (654 - 713 AD) was born in Medina and is Prophet Muhammad's great-grandson. He is known as Zayn al-Abidin (Beauty/Best of the Worshippers). He is considered to be the fourth infallible Imam, or spiritual leader and successor to prophet Muhammad (PBUH) for Shi'a Muslims. Sahife Sajjadiya is a compilation of works by Zayn al-Abidin that is the oldest prayer manual in Islamic sources and one of the most seminal works of Islamic spirituality of the early period.

What is God like?

The believers of God differ in the image of God. Some of them say God has a body. He is

God is Fact, not Delusion

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2- The Cancellation of Wills

composed of parts. A human can perceive by seeing. Others say God does not have a body; he is simple. A human cannot perceive God by the five senses (hearing, sight, smell, taste, and touch). People say there are many things people believe exist that they cannot feel. Some things that exist may be incorporeal, such as oxygen, but can still be felt by a breath. Other incorporeal things include the spirit, gravity, electricity, dreams, freedom, mind, love, and hatred. In addition, the five senses are limited and there are some things that they cannot recognize. For example, a person cannot see infrared and ultraviolet light even though it exists. However, some insects such as bees and butterflies can see them. Moreover, people are ignorant of some unseen things which human knowledge has discovered them: the continent

The second proof of the obvious personal feelings is taken from what Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (A.S) 4 said. Imam Ali says, "I know God - be He glorified! - by the cancellation of wills, the change of contracts, and the reversal of determination." (Nahj Al-Balagha- wisdom 250, my translation). In other words, if anyone looks at people's lives, he will note many people sometimes decide to do something specifically but they cannot do it because there is another strong decision that changes his opinion or environment. That conclusion had to come from someone who governs the event or changes the person's mind. The conclusion may be a test for a person, and it may benefit that person.

of the Americas, bacteria, and viruses. The Holy Quran says, The image of God is not as humans imagine but it may happen that ye hate a thing and conjecture. For example, imagine that a computer which is good for you, and it may happen that has a mind. The computer wants to imagine its maker. ye love a thing which is bad for you. Allah It will imagine its maker as made from metal, plastic, knoweth, ye know not. [Sura Al-Baqara (02): glass, and electronic memory, etc. Does it have more Verse 216]

information programmers installed on it? Of course not. The mind of the computer is unable to know everything about its maker.

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Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (A.S) (599- 661 AD) was born inside Kaaba, the holiest place in Islam. He is the first person who believed in Muhammad's prophecy (PBUH). He has important rank in the defense of Islam and dissemination of the beginning of Islam. He has had many stories about solutions to many hard issues in jurisprudence and math. Shi'a Muslims glorify Ali as the first infallible Imam and the rightful successor to Muhammad.

God is Fact, not Delusion

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Third: Rational Thought Evidence

In another case, many people wish to have a special future, but in the end, it is not like what they wish. For example, a person who wishes to be a

1- Perfection and Precision in this

doctor becomes a teacher. In another case, natural

Universe

disasters often bring death to the average person, but leave the weakest people (like babies or old people) One proof of rational thought is perfection and safe. Another example, a woman who uses all precision from the smallest item such as a nucleus in contraceptive methods sometimes becomes pregnant an atom to the largest galaxy in this universe. Dr. while some women who want a baby cannot have one.

Ahmed Al-Waeli 5 gives a good example about

Something is controlling these people's fates. That is precision in the world in his lecture in the year 1979 God. about The Greatness of the Creator. If we think about Doubt in the Existence

the circulation of the planets around the sun, accidents do not happen between those planets. If that happened, it will make a great disaster in the universe. On the other hand, if we look to a city that has the best traffic system in the world, we will note that city has some accidents. However, it spends a lot of time and money for police traffic, to create roads or fix them, and to punish violators. Does the precision of the world lead us to the greatness of the creator? (AlWaeli)

Some people doubt existence and consider imagination and deception but in fact, the doubt is the top of insanity because the feelings of happiness, 5

sadness, enjoyment, pain, and thinking in life are proofs of the existence of people.

Dr. Ahmed Al-Waeli (1928–2003) was born in Najaf, Iraq. He is one of the most well-known Shiite Islamic prominent clerks and poets in the twentieth century. His books and lectures usually are talking about beliefs, Islam, spirituality, ethics, economy, and politics.

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Many sciences are based upon laws of nature. For example, the science of nutrition controls human health. Another example is Ecology that protects us from certain kinds of pollution. The existence of creatures and the number of them in the world has purpose in the balance of life and in explaining the The holy books (Torah and the Gospel, the Quran) relationship between organisms. For example, killing usually invite people to think about everything in the too many hawks increases the number of snakes. That universe. increase of snakes will cause the decrease in the The Holy Quran says, And hath made of service unto you whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth; it is all from Him. Lo! herein verily

number of mice. The decrease of mice will cause the increase in grasshoppers. In the end, the animal environment has a big problem. The Holy Quran says, "Lo! We have created every thing by measure" [Sura Al-Qamar (54): Verse 49]

are portents for a people who reflect. [Sura AlJathiya (45): Verse 13]

Some unbelievers believe the earth was made by itself but that is impossible logically because the

When we think, for example, about Earth, we earth was in nothingness and it was, therefore, will find Earth is spherical in order to make the impossible for it to give itself presence. Thus, difference of night and day to benefit people's life, something needs to exist to give it presence. For and compose the difference in its climate. On the example, if a poor man wants money, he should not other hand, the density of Earth's land is between order money from poor people but he should order hardness and softness (like air) in order for living from rich people. things to walk on it. It is the best base of mountains and oceans, a human can build on earth. A ship that

Through this evidence, Agnostics and infidels

could float on the Earth's sea could not float on land

who believe evolution and the laws of nature are

or air. Likewise, a car that could drive on land could

convinced by some knowledge in secondary causes in

not do so in the ocean or air. Muslims consider

effects of the universe. They became unaware because

thinking in the universe a kind of prayer.

of their ignorance, which is the main causer for those

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God is Fact, not Delusion

causes. For example, if someone looks to the working

2- The Continuity of Movement and

of a car, that person will note every part in the car has

Modifying that is usually in the

a job. For example, engine belts help to cool the

Universe

engine, the piston movement, and the gear movement, but that person studied the jobs of every part of a car and overlooked its maker. This is the position of Agnostics. They believe the beginning of the world by the Big Bang that created the universe billions of years ago, but they overlooked who made that explosion and who chose that specific time not another. There is something in the world that does not

Famous "Blue Marble" photograph of Earth, taken from Apollo 17.

follow the laws of nature. This is a person's freedom. People can do what they want to do.

The second proof of rational thought is the continuity of movement and modifying that is usually

This evidence of chaos theory, the eternal universe hypothesis or the universe made by itself is voided. It explains there is the creator for the world who makes everything work upon laws of nature. The creator is originator, planner. He is wise, and aware. That is God.

in the universe. Astronomy says that in each moment new astronomical objects such as stars, planets, and moons are made. In the same time, many astronomical objects disappear. Moreover, the earth did not exist in a certain period. It came into existence because of the Big Bang. Geography says the surface of the earth is constantly moving and changing. Seven continents were connected together in the beginning, but they became separated by temperature, pressure, and movement factors. In addition, through thousands of years, new islands formed and some islands are still in the world. Paleontology says some animals lived in

God is Fact, not Delusion

the past, but they are in extinction now. Biology says all common organisms from plants and animals have

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Fourth: Historical Mentality Evidence

not existed since the beginning of the world.

Sending Prophets If anyone looks to human history, that person will find many people who alleged to have received a message from God. Some of them were liars. Others were honorable prophets and their ethics were the greatest. Prophets have many jobs such as teaching people about what the purpose of creation is, what the truth of God is, how to pray correctly, what happens An old Arabic woman was asked, "How do

after death, and what the Day of Judgment is.

you know God?" She replied, "I know God from my knitting needle. When I knit the knitting wool moves. Therefore, I know someone usually makes the movement and the change in this world. That thing is the Originator, the Wise, the Self-Subsisting one, the Dominant, Planner, Purifier, the Provider, and the Preserver."

Prophets prove their message by miracles (Moajza). Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary defines miracle as "an unusual and mysterious event that is thought to have been caused by a god, or anything very surprising and unexpected, even." Some messengers' miracles are still impossible today. For example, Jesus' miracles were to give life to the dead

The evidence refuses the eternal universe hypothesis and proves that the universe has to have someone make wise actions in the world, put in nature laws, and watch this world. That is God. Why do some nonbelievers believe in the eternal universe; however, they do see the oldness of the world and survival of the world?

and heal a person who was born blind, and the leper. The famous Prophet Muhammad's miracle is the eloquent Holy Quran. It predicts many modern explorations in different sciences and it tells future incidents.

God is Fact, not Delusion

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For example, the Holy Quran says: (2) The Romans have been defeated (3) In the nearer land, and they, after their defeat will be victorious (4) Within ten years - Allah's is the command in the former case and in the latter -

This picture shows the location of the "Rocky Belt" which shows the moon was once split (NASA, 1969).

and in that day believers will rejoice (5) In In addition, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

Allah's help to victory. He helpeth to victory whom He will. He is the Mighty, the Merciful.(6) It is a promise of Allah. Allah faileth not His promise, but most of mankind know not. [Sura Ar-Room (30): Verse 2-6]

made the splitting of the moon to two parts when Mecca nonbelievers challenged him to do that in order to believe in his prophecy. After the splitting of the moon, Mecca nonbelievers doubted the miracle. One of its parts was behind the Abu Qubeis Mountain and

In 616, nonbelievers rejoiced that the Persians, who

the other one was on another side of the mountain.

are nonbelievers, beat the Romans (who are people of the Scripture) in the nearest land in the world that is the Dead Sea Basin. That made Muslims very sad for the beating of God's believers (the Romans). These verses came to ensure Muslims that the Romans would win over the Persians in less than ten years. Within ten years, God's promise was achieved and the Romans defeated the Persians. In these verses, the Holy Quran predicts future incidents like the Roman victory. In addition, the Holy Quran tells a fact in sciences that the Dead Sea Basin is the lowest land in the world.

Who gave Prophet Jesus (A.S) that ability in life to raise any dead people, and heal any blind person? Who gave the illiterate Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

that

book

which

predicts

modern

explorations and tells of future incidents? Of course, someone to whom everything bows, to whose power everything

submits,

whose

might

overshadows

everything, and to whose awesomeness everything is humbled. That is God.

God is Fact, not Delusion

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In conclusion, humans still believe in God Difference between the Miracle (Moajza) and Magic

because of the existence of many kinds of strong evidence that lead to God. Some evidence is instinctive, such as the presence of effects that leads

A normal human cannot do a miracle or magic to the search for the cause, and the human instinct. because both of them are bound by the laws of nature. Others are personal feelings; for example, the relief of Many scholars of religion (Islam, Christianity, or the needy in hardship and prosperity, and the Judaism) especially Islamic scholars wrote many cancellation of wills. Some evidence is rational topics about differences between the miracle and thought, such as perfection and precision in this magic. They say the miracle and magic have many universe, and the continuity of movement and different ranges such as purpose, its wide limitations, modifying that is usually in the universe. Others are how to acquire it, accepting a challenge, and the historical mentality, such as the sending of Prophets. honor of doing it. The one difference between the All of this evidence relates to each other. In chorus, miracle and magic is that magic came from learning the evidence resonates against the suspicions of and training but the miracle came from God. The nonbelievers. second difference is that the miracle always accompanies a challenge and it is free of limitations.

Works Cited

But magic rarely results from a challenge and it is limited because wizards are afraid that someone can do the same magic or greater than it. There are different kinds of evidence (ethical proofs, and philosophical proofs, etc) about the existence of God in the Monotheism books for Shiites such as the book Kashf Al-Morad fi Sharh-i Tajrid AlI’teqad by Hasan Ebn Yousef Allameh Helli or AlBab Al-Hadi 'Ashar by Jamal ad-Din Al-Hilli.

Pickthall, Marmaduke. The Meaning of the Holy/Glorious Qur'an/Koran. 1998 . Alameli, Hassan M. El-Ahyyat: Part I. International Center for Islamic Studies. Qom, Iran: 1991 . Alkorani, Ali. Marafht Allah: The First Edition. Mustafa Centre for Islamic Studies. Publisher Dar Al-Huda 2006 < http://www.alameli.net/downbooks/taleb1.pdf >. Alkorani, Ali. Themret Alefkar: The First Edition Ali Alkorani Website, 2004 .

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Tabatabai, Mohammed. Nhaiah Alhkmah. Khorsan of publications, 4 Jan. 2005 Al-Modarresi, Hadi. "Tawhid wa Marafih Allah: Part 1" Ramadan Seminars 1423. Hussainiyah Imam Ali .Sayidda Zeinab, Damascus. 07 Dec. 2000 Al-Modarresi, Hadi. "Tawhid wa Marafih Allah: Part 2" Ramadan Seminars 1423. Hussainiyah Imam Ali .Sayidda Zeinab, Damascus. 08 Dec 2000 Al-Modarresi, Hadi. " Addall Allah: Part 1" Ramadan Seminars 1423. Hussainiyah Imam Ali .Sayidda Zeinab, Damascus. 09 Dec2000 Al-Modarresi, Hadi. " Addall Allah: Part 2" Ramadan Seminars 1423. Hussainiyah Imam Ali .Sayidda Zeinab, Damascus. 10 Dec 2000 Al-Waeli, Ahmed "Adhamat Khaliq" 10 Jan 1979

God is Fact, not Delusion