❀ Objective Morality and the Existence of God: An Islamic Perspective ❀
After a long day, you return home exhausted and sit in front of the TV. As you flip through channels, you come across a shocking news report: a man has murdered a five-year-old child.
Now, if you're asked whether this act is morally wrong, you would undoubtedly say yes.
But if the question is: why is this act objectively wrong? — the answer becomes much more complex.
Objectivity means that something is true independent of personal bias, preferences, or emotions.
In moral terms, objectivity implies that right and wrong exist beyond human opinion. Just as:
So, if morality is objective, what is its foundation? This question lies within the domain of moral philosophy (علم الاخلاق).
To accept objective moral values means:
As noted by [Markham, I. S. (2010). Against Atheism, p. 34]:
“Moral language refers to a transcendent reality beyond this world.”
Objective morality necessitates a foundation that is beyond human nature. In Islam, that foundation is God (Allah) — who is perfect and the source of all goodness.
Atheists often pose this philosophical challenge:
“Are things good because God commands them, or does God command them because they are good?”
Islamic Response:
“Goodness is not external to God — He is goodness itself.”
❶ Biology (Natural Selection):
If morality is just a product of evolution, then it should be as flexible and random as animal behavior — which does not explain universal moral values.
[Darwin, C. (1874). The Descent of Man, p. 99]
❷ Social Pressure (Cultural Norms):
If morality is defined by society, then practices like Nazi genocide would have to be considered morally right in their context — a deeply flawed conclusion.
❸ Moral Realism (Independent Moral Facts):
While this view claims moral truths just exist, it fails to explain:
Only the existence of God provides a stable and absolute foundation for objective morality because:
❶ Denial of Objective Morality
If atheists deny objective morality:
❷ Epistemology vs. Ontology
This discussion is not about how we know moral truths (epistemology),
but about why they exist in the first place (ontology).
And for that, God is necessary.
✔ God is perfect, and the source of all goodness.
✔ Objective morality requires a foundation that transcends humanity — and only God fits this role.
✔ Knowing God is equivalent to knowing true goodness.
A Thought-Provoking Scenario
After a long day, you return home exhausted and sit in front of the TV. As you flip through channels, you come across a shocking news report: a man has murdered a five-year-old child.
Now, if you're asked whether this act is morally wrong, you would undoubtedly say yes.
But if the question is: why is this act objectively wrong? — the answer becomes much more complex.
What Is Objectivity?
Objectivity means that something is true independent of personal bias, preferences, or emotions.
In moral terms, objectivity implies that right and wrong exist beyond human opinion. Just as:
- Mathematical truth: 1 + 1 = 2, regardless of how we feel.
- Scientific fact: The earth orbits the sun, whether people accept it or not.
So, if morality is objective, what is its foundation? This question lies within the domain of moral philosophy (علم الاخلاق).
What Does It Mean for Morality to Be Objective?
To accept objective moral values means:
- Example: The murder of an innocent child is always wrong, regardless of what society says.
- Morality transcends human likes, dislikes, or cultural norms.
- It implies the existence of accountability and moral responsibility.
As noted by [Markham, I. S. (2010). Against Atheism, p. 34]:
“Moral language refers to a transcendent reality beyond this world.”
Relationship Between Morality and God
Objective morality necessitates a foundation that is beyond human nature. In Islam, that foundation is God (Allah) — who is perfect and the source of all goodness.
- Islamic View: Allah is the Lord of all worlds, and His essence embodies pure goodness.
- One of His names is ٱلْبَرُّ (The Source of All Goodness) — (Surah al-Tur, 28).
- Whatever Allah commands is good — because He Himself is the embodiment of goodness (Surah al-Aʿrāf, 28).
Response to Euthyphro’s Dilemma
Atheists often pose this philosophical challenge:
“Are things good because God commands them, or does God command them because they are good?”
Islamic Response:
- This dilemma falsely assumes that “goodness” exists independently of God.
- In truth, God Himself is the source and standard of goodness.
As [Akhtar, S. (2008). The Qur’an and the Secular Mind, p. 99] explains:
“Goodness is not external to God — He is goodness itself.”
Other Proposed Sources of Morality and Their Flaws
❶ Biology (Natural Selection):
If morality is just a product of evolution, then it should be as flexible and random as animal behavior — which does not explain universal moral values.
[Darwin, C. (1874). The Descent of Man, p. 99]
❷ Social Pressure (Cultural Norms):
If morality is defined by society, then practices like Nazi genocide would have to be considered morally right in their context — a deeply flawed conclusion.
❸ Moral Realism (Independent Moral Facts):
While this view claims moral truths just exist, it fails to explain:
- Why do they exist?
- Why should we follow them?
It lacks moral accountability.
The Only Viable Foundation: God
Only the existence of God provides a stable and absolute foundation for objective morality because:
- He alone can declare moral truths with authority.
- He alone can ensure moral responsibility and accountability.
- His guidance is based on perfect justice and goodness.
(See: Surah al-Baqarah, 163; Surah al-Hashr, 22–24)
Addressing Objections
❶ Denial of Objective Morality
If atheists deny objective morality:
- They lose the right to morally object to any injustice (e.g., genocide, rape, murder).
- Their moral claims become subjective opinions, not universal truths.
❷ Epistemology vs. Ontology
This discussion is not about how we know moral truths (epistemology),
but about why they exist in the first place (ontology).
And for that, God is necessary.
Conclusion: God as the Source of All Moral Truth
✔ God is perfect, and the source of all goodness.
✔ Objective morality requires a foundation that transcends humanity — and only God fits this role.
✔ Knowing God is equivalent to knowing true goodness.
