Firstly, there is more than one rational argument of proving Gods existence, as detailed in the Quran. The Ash’ari problem is that they have restricted the correct rational method to just one argument, which fundamentally rests on proving the creation of the universe, by relying on Aristotelian philosophy of categorization of reality into two main categories: substances, and the accidents that subsist therein, ironically, the very argument (i.e. infinity of motions) Aristotle used to disbelieve in God!

Secondly, it is absurd for the Ash’aris to suggest that there is no verse in the Quran rationally proving the existence of God. For Allah revealed the book to be a basis for humanity until the end of time, yet He did not prove his own existence therein, is simply not logical. The problem is that the Ash’aris themselves are far from the Quran to understand its rational arguments against the atheists.

Thirdly, the Quran addresses the whole of mankind, the Muslims and the Kuffar, and therefore to claim that one must be convinced of God before he is given the Quran to read is nonsense. Let him read the Quran and ponder over the verses. This is how the generation of Sahaba were guided, after all.

Fourthly, Islam is a universal message, and the Quran addresses people on all levels and presents arguments that can be understood by both, the intelligent and the not-so-intelligent, and hence, the simplicity of Quranic arguments.

To say that to prove God’s existence, one must prove the created nature of the universe is wrong. For God’s existence can be proving by some of the following rational arguments forwarded by Allah in His Book:

  1. Creation of human beings out of nothingness, as in Allah’s verse: ‘Were they created from nothing, or were they the creators of themselves?’ This is something witnessed by our five senses, and therefore needs no proof via rational arguments. We know a human been is created, simply because he didn’t exist before his birth. Yes, his existence was caused by conception, etc, but I guess we all agree that infinite regress of causes is illogical and impossible.
  2. The argument of divine providence, as Allah refers to in the Quran: ‘Do not they look at the camel, how it has been created?’ Meaning, the camel has been created with certain qualities and characteristics, which if it were to lose, would not be of benefit to anyone. Hence, there must have been a Creator, who gives the camel such qualities, so that it may serve as a provision for us in many ways, without which the camel will be useless.
  3. The argument of balance and perfection in the creation, as Allah says: ‘You do not see in the creation of the Most Merciful, any inconsistency’, or ‘the one who created everything in perfection’. Reading this verse, wouldn’t a biologist or a physician stop and think, as many have? For example, during the development of a fetus, why doesn’t the heart become the liver, or located at a different place, or how does just a drop of semen upon conception develops into blood, heart, tissue, etc, all in perfect fashion. This shows, that there is a creator who perfected the creation, for the probability of such perfection to come about itself is extremely low.
  4. The argument of the determinant, as Allah says: ‘Have you not considered your Lord, how he extended the shadow, for if He willed, He could have made it stationary’. Meaning, the objects we see in existence in their particular shape and form, it is possible for the same objects to be in a different shape and form. As we all agree, the Muslims and the philosophers, including the atheists, that which is possible to exist in certain shape, as well as other shapes, then there must be a determinant to shape that object into that particular shape.

For example, we have two nostrils, and it is equally possible for us to have just one; or that our heart is located to our left, whereas it could also rationally be on our right. To tip it into one of the many possibilities there must be a determinant, and that determinant is none other than Allah.

Apart from that, Allah gives various examples of His Creation that point to the existence of the Perfect Creator; such as the creation of human beings, the creation of the heavens and the earth,

Then there is the evidence of the prophethood itself for the existence of God, and that exists in terms of miracles, divine help and victory over the Prophet’s enemies, etc.

Add to that archaeological evidences, biblical history, and the Quran confirming much of that in the Arabian desert.

The most important of all evidences perhaps, is the innate belief in all human beings to believe in God, which is why the belief in God has existed for as long as the humanity has, whereas the atheist have always remained a minority in all societies and ages, up until today in this so-called technologically advanced age. The problem is that the atheists insist on denying their natural instincts, and their need for God, just as the Ash’aris insist on denying their urge to raise their hands to God in the heavens.

This is a very interesting topic, warranting further discussion because many, including orientalists, have this misconception about the traditionalists (or textualists), that they censure all sorts of rational arguments concerning the existence of God, which simply is not true.