Belief in God as a Natural and Self-Evident Human Truth

❀ The Existence of God: A Self-Evident and Innate Truth ❀

Introduction​

The concept of God is a self-evident truth that has persisted across all human societies, despite vast cultural, psychological, and intellectual differences. This article analyzes how the existence of God can be understood as an undeniable and universal reality, grounded in human nature, history, psychology, and societal evidence.

The Significance of Self-Evident Truths​

What are Self-Evident Truths?
Self-evident (بدیہی) truths are beliefs that reside within human consciousness without external instruction or argument. They possess the following characteristics:


➊ Universal: Shared across all civilizations, cultures, and peoples.
➋ Untaught: Known innately, not dependent on formal learning.
➌ Natural: A product of natural human psychological development.
➍ Intuitive: Simple, direct, and aligned with general human understanding.


Analogy with the Past:
Just as belief in the past is a self-evident truth, so is belief in God. Denial of either places the burden of proof on the denier—not on those who affirm it.

Belief in God as a Self-Evident Reality​

➊ Universality of God’s Concept​

• Belief in a Supreme Being or Creator exists in nearly every human civilization throughout history.
• Though conceptual details vary between cultures and religions, the core idea of a Creator is universal.
• Statistically and historically, theists have vastly outnumbered atheists.

➋ Innate Understanding (Untaught Belief)​

• Humans do not need religious teaching or cultural influence to recognize the existence of a Creator.
• Sociological Observation:
  Even if children of atheist parents are raised in isolation, they eventually develop belief in a transcendent Creator. (BBC Today, 2008)
• Belief in God does not require external instruction—it is embedded in human nature.

➌ Natural Disposition (فطرت)​

• Belief in a Creator is natural and tied to human psychological structure.
• Ibn Taymiyyah (رحمه الله):
  
  “The idea of a Creator is firmly embedded in the hearts of all people.” (Ibn Taymiyyah, 1991)
  
  
• Empirical research shows that children instinctively believe natural objects are created with purpose.

➍ Intuitive Awareness​

• The concept of God is harmonious with reason and intuition.
• When humans observe order, purpose, and harmony in the universe, their intuition draws them toward belief in a Creator.
• The concept of God offers the simplest and most comprehensive explanation of the universe.

Evidence from Psychology and Human Development​

❖ Psychological Research:

• Paul Bloom: Modern psychology confirms that children possess a natural awareness of a Creator. (Bloom, 2007)
• Deborah Kelemen: Children intuitively perceive objects as being created for a purpose. (Kelemen, 2004)

❖ Sociological Evidence:

• Justin Barrett:
  
  “Children naturally believe in a supernatural Creator.” (Barrett, 2012)
  
  
• Such findings indicate that belief in God is part of human nature, independent of instruction.

Role of Fitrah and Intuition in Islam​

In Islamic thought, Fitrah refers to the innate spiritual disposition that inclines a person to recognize and worship God.

• Imam al-Ghazali (رحمه الله):
  
  “Awareness of Allah resides deep within human consciousness.”
  

Fitrah and Rational Arguments​

Importance of Rational Proofs:
Rational arguments serve not to establish something new, but to awaken the innate nature (Fitrah) already within a person.

• Ibn Taymiyyah (رحمه الله):
  
  “Knowledge of God’s existence is natural; arguments are only necessary when that nature becomes clouded.” (Ibn Taymiyyah, 2004)
  

Cleansing the Fitrah:
Logical reasoning and divine signs purify the heart and mind, allowing the Fitrah to clearly recognize Allah.


According to Islam, faith in God is a foundational, intuitive truth—not dependent on specific cultural or religious teachings.

Conclusion​

The existence of God is a self-evident, universal, natural, and intuitive truth.
It is not contingent upon formal instruction or cultural heritage, but rather is deeply rooted in human nature.
When one denies the existence of God, the burden of proof lies upon the denier—not upon the believer.