❖ Deism: A Contradiction to Divine Wisdom and Revelation ❖
In this section, I will examine three fundamental objections to Deism:
① The contradiction of Deism in the presence of Divine Wisdom
② The illogical nature of Deism in light of God’s moral character
③ The potential significance and importance of Revelation
Divine wisdom refers to the knowledge and understanding that creates and organizes everything according to its true purpose.
✔ According to Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah:
"Divine wisdom is hidden in His commands and the purposes of His creation, under which everything was brought into existence." (2003, vol. 2, p. 451)
✔ 'Abd al-Ra'uf al-Munawi states:
"Wisdom means reaching the truth through knowledge and action, and Divine wisdom is manifested in the skilful design of the universe." (1990, p. 145)
✔ Ibn al-Wazir asserts:
"A special planning is inherent in God’s actions, which turns possibilities into reality and may transcend human comprehension." (1987, p. 181)
✔ According to Ibn Qayyim, reason and nature help us comprehend that God is Wise
(1994, vol. 2, p. 113)
✔ Ibn Taymiyyah points out that most people, whether Muslim or non-Muslim, acknowledge God's wisdom
(1989, p. 921; 2000, p. 199)
✔ British philosopher William Paley states that God's wisdom can be proven through the complex order of the universe:
"The order of the universe is evidence that an intelligent Creator exists, whose wisdom, power, and knowledge are boundless." (2006, pp. 213–215)
✔ Ibn Taymiyyah says:
"If one accepts that God is Wise, then every act of His must have a purpose." (1989, p. 924)
✔ According to Samuel Clarke, a God who is omnipotent and omniscient must also be infinitely wise
(1998, pp. 79–80)
In light of the following premises, Deism proves to be illogical:
Once God's infinite wisdom is acknowledged, it becomes impossible to claim that His creation is without purpose.
If God created the universe and then abandoned it, this contradicts His wisdom.
Some Deists may argue that God created the universe for a purpose but does not intervene in it.
However, if God has no interest in His creation, the very purpose of that creation is nullified.
Another major issue with Deism is that if God is moral, then He cannot be indifferent to His creation.
✔ If God is just and merciful, why does He not intervene for the guidance of mankind?
✔ If God created the principles of good and evil, why does He play no role in their implementation?
This contradiction challenges the core ideology of Deism.
✔ If God granted human beings reason and consciousness, He is also capable of sending Revelation to guide them.
✔ Without Revelation, humans face difficulty in understanding God's commands through reason alone.
✔ History bears witness that whenever man was left without Revelation, he fell into misguidance.
✔ Deism, which declares Revelation unnecessary, ignores the fundamental truth that Divine intervention is essential for human guidance.
Deism is an illogical doctrine because:
❶ It contradicts the essential implications of God’s wisdom.
❷ It ignores the moral character of God.
❸ It rejects the necessity of Revelation, thereby deviating from the foundational principles of human guidance.
❀ Three Fundamental Objections to Deism ❀
In this section, I will examine three fundamental objections to Deism:
① The contradiction of Deism in the presence of Divine Wisdom
② The illogical nature of Deism in light of God’s moral character
③ The potential significance and importance of Revelation
◈ Divine Wisdom and the Incoherence of Deism
1.1 Meaning of Divine Wisdom
Divine wisdom refers to the knowledge and understanding that creates and organizes everything according to its true purpose.
✔ According to Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah:
"Divine wisdom is hidden in His commands and the purposes of His creation, under which everything was brought into existence." (2003, vol. 2, p. 451)
✔ 'Abd al-Ra'uf al-Munawi states:
"Wisdom means reaching the truth through knowledge and action, and Divine wisdom is manifested in the skilful design of the universe." (1990, p. 145)
✔ Ibn al-Wazir asserts:
"A special planning is inherent in God’s actions, which turns possibilities into reality and may transcend human comprehension." (1987, p. 181)
1.2 Arguments for Understanding Divine Wisdom
✔ According to Ibn Qayyim, reason and nature help us comprehend that God is Wise
(1994, vol. 2, p. 113)
✔ Ibn Taymiyyah points out that most people, whether Muslim or non-Muslim, acknowledge God's wisdom
(1989, p. 921; 2000, p. 199)
✔ British philosopher William Paley states that God's wisdom can be proven through the complex order of the universe:
"The order of the universe is evidence that an intelligent Creator exists, whose wisdom, power, and knowledge are boundless." (2006, pp. 213–215)
1.3 The Necessary Implication of Wisdom
✔ Ibn Taymiyyah says:
"If one accepts that God is Wise, then every act of His must have a purpose." (1989, p. 924)
✔ According to Samuel Clarke, a God who is omnipotent and omniscient must also be infinitely wise
(1998, pp. 79–80)
1.4 The Problem for Deism
In light of the following premises, Deism proves to be illogical:
- Premise 1: Wisdom is always based on a purpose.
- Premise 2: God is perfect and infinitely wise.
- Premise 3: Deism rejects God’s intervention in the world.
- Premise 4: Divine wisdom is incompatible with non-intervention.
- Conclusion: Deism is illogical.
Once God's infinite wisdom is acknowledged, it becomes impossible to claim that His creation is without purpose.
If God created the universe and then abandoned it, this contradicts His wisdom.
Some Deists may argue that God created the universe for a purpose but does not intervene in it.
However, if God has no interest in His creation, the very purpose of that creation is nullified.
◈ God’s Moral Character and the Contradiction of Deism
Another major issue with Deism is that if God is moral, then He cannot be indifferent to His creation.
✔ If God is just and merciful, why does He not intervene for the guidance of mankind?
✔ If God created the principles of good and evil, why does He play no role in their implementation?
This contradiction challenges the core ideology of Deism.
◈ The Possible Role and Importance of Revelation
✔ If God granted human beings reason and consciousness, He is also capable of sending Revelation to guide them.
✔ Without Revelation, humans face difficulty in understanding God's commands through reason alone.
✔ History bears witness that whenever man was left without Revelation, he fell into misguidance.
✔ Deism, which declares Revelation unnecessary, ignores the fundamental truth that Divine intervention is essential for human guidance.
✦ Conclusion ✦
Deism is an illogical doctrine because:
❶ It contradicts the essential implications of God’s wisdom.
❷ It ignores the moral character of God.
❸ It rejects the necessity of Revelation, thereby deviating from the foundational principles of human guidance.
