THE ARGUMENT OF POSSIBLE AND NECESSARY BEINGS

[Rajaee]

What is the argument of “Possible and Necessary Being”?

This Argument which is called "Burhān al-Imkān wa al-Wujūb" in Arabic, is a pioneering concept of Islamic philosophers, and it is considered as one of the most robust proofs for the existence of God.[1]

The argument is summarily expressed by Nasir ad-Din Tusi as follows:

• Everything that exists is either contingent or necessary.
• Contingent beings require a cause outside of themselves.
• If that cause is necessary, then the existence of a necessary being (God) is proven.
• If that cause is contingent, it too requires a cause, leading to an infinite regress.
• Infinite regress is impossible.
• Therefore, the chain of contingent beings must terminate in a necessary being.[2]

Based on the argument, Allah (s.w.t) or "Wajib al-Wujud" is a being that has existence from himself as part of his nature. Nothing has grated him the existence, nothing is the cause for his existence, and nothing can cause him to cease to exist.

Some simple examples: 

1. "Salt and saltiness". salt is salty by nature and nothing has given it this quality. actually it can be the cause of other thing's saltiness.
2. "Oil and oiliness" is a perfect illustration of an intrinsic property. It's a defining characteristic that sets oil apart from other substances.
3. "Water and wetness" serves as another simple and tangible proof for proving our point.

Conclusion

The existence of a supernatural being that has intrinsic quality of existence is rationally necessary, otherwise, it leads to "infinite regress" and invalidity of "principle of causality"

 

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[1] Tusi, Sharh al-Isharat wa at-Tanbihat, 1375 SH, vol. 3, pp. 66-67

[2] Tusi, Sharh al-Isharat wa al-Tanbihat, 1375 SH, vol. 3, pp. 18-20