Epigraph:

God: there is no god but Him, the Ever Living, (الْقَيُّومُ) the Self-Subsisting. Neither slumber nor sleep overtakes Him. All that is in the heavens and in the earth belongs to Him. Who is there that can intercede with Him except by His leave? He knows what is before them and what is behind them, but they do not comprehend any of His knowledge except what He wills. His throne extends over the heavens and the earth; it does not weary Him to preserve them both. He is the Most High, the Tremendous. (Al Quran 2:255)

Written and collected by Zia H Shah MD, Chief Editor of the Muslim Times

I have struggled with the ontological argument until today, having been introduced to it from the Christian tradition. But when we approach it from the Muslim tradition, it begins to make good and easy sense.

First, we will discuss Avicenna’s argument and then link it to the attribute of God الْقَيُّومُ, the Self-Subsisting, mentioned in the Crown verse of the holy Quran and quoted above as an epigraph.

Abu Ali al-Husayn ibn Sina (980–1037 CE), commonly known as Avicenna, was a Persian polymath whose contributions to philosophy and science have been profoundly influential. Among his notable philosophical endeavors is the “Proof of the Truthful” (Burhan al-Siddiqin), an argument for the existence of God that has sparked extensive scholarly discussion regarding its classification as either an ontological or cosmological argument.

The Proof of the Truthful

Avicenna’s argument is predicated on the distinction between contingent and necessary existence. He posits that contingent beings—those whose existence is not essential and thus could either exist or not exist—must ultimately be grounded in a being whose existence is necessary, i.e., a being that cannot not exist. This Necessary Existent, Avicenna argues, is what we understand to be God.

The argument can be outlined as follows:

1. Contingent beings exist: Observations reveal that many entities in the universe are contingent; their existence is not essential, and they depend on other factors for their existence.
2. A series of contingent causes cannot regress infinitely: An infinite regress of contingent causes does not provide a satisfactory explanation for the existence of contingent beings.
3. Therefore, there must be a Necessary Existent: To terminate this regress and provide a sufficient reason for the existence of contingent beings, there must be a being whose existence is necessary and not contingent upon anything else.

Ontological vs. Cosmological Classification

Scholars have debated the precise nature of Avicenna’s argument. Some, like Parviz Morewedge, interpret it as an ontological argument, asserting that Avicenna’s reasoning is based purely on the concept of the Necessary Existent without recourse to empirical observation. Others, such as Herbert A. Davidson, view it as a cosmological argument, emphasizing that it begins with the empirical fact of the existence of contingent beings and proceeds to infer the existence of a Necessary Existent. This debate highlights the unique nature of Avicenna’s proof, which seems to straddle both categories.

Influence and Legacy

Avicenna’s “Proof of the Truthful” has had a lasting impact on both Islamic and Western philosophy. It was enthusiastically received and adapted by subsequent Muslim philosophers, and it influenced Western Christian philosophers such as Thomas Aquinas and Duns Scotus, as well as Jewish philosophers like Maimonides. The argument’s emphasis on a Necessary Existent has continued to be a focal point in metaphysical discussions concerning the existence of God.

Linking the ontological argument to the crown verse of the Quran

The attribute الْقَيُّومُ (Al-Qayyūm) is one of the 99 beautiful names of Allah in the Islamic tradition. It means “The Self-Subsisting” or “The Sustainer of all existence.” This divine name emphasizes Allah’s complete independence and His role in upholding and maintaining the entirety of creation.

Linguistic Roots and Meaning

Derived from the Arabic root qāf-wāw-mīm, Al-Qayyūm encompasses several meanings, including:

• To stand or rise up.
• To be or begin.
• To be ongoing or exist.
• To manage or make right.

These connotations collectively portray Allah as the One who stands by Himself, requiring no support, while all of creation depends entirely upon Him for existence and sustenance. Understand Al Quran Academy

Qur’anic References

Al-Qayyūm is mentioned in the Qur’an in conjunction with Al-Ḥayy (“The Ever-Living”) in three significant verses:

1. Ayat al-Kursi (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:255):“Allah! There is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence…”
2. Surah Al ‘Imran 3:1-2:“Alif, Lam, Meem. Allah, there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of existence.”
3. Surah Ta-Ha 20:111:“And [all] faces will be humbled before the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of existence…”

In these verses, the pairing of Al-Ḥayy and Al-Qayyūm underscores Allah’s eternal life and His unceasing maintenance of the universe.

Theological Significance

The attribute Al-Qayyūm highlights several key aspects of Islamic theology:

• Self-Sufficiency: Allah exists independently, without reliance on anything else, while all creation is in constant need of Him.
• Sustainer: He is the one who maintains the heavens and the earth, ensuring the continuity and order of all that exists.
• Eternal Vigilance: Unlike His creation, Allah does not experience fatigue or slumber, as emphasized in Ayat al-Kursi: “Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep…”

Practical Implications for Believers

Understanding and internalizing the attribute of Al-Qayyūm encourages believers to:

• Place Complete Trust in Allah: Recognizing that He alone sustains all existence fosters reliance on Him in all affairs.
• Seek Support and Guidance: Since Allah is the ultimate maintainer, turning to Him for help and sustenance becomes a natural inclination.
• Acknowledge Human Dependence: Awareness of one’s own dependence on Allah cultivates humility and gratitude.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) would invoke this attribute during times of distress, as reported by Anas ibn Malik:

“Whenever a matter would distress him, the Prophet (ﷺ) would say: ‘O Living, O Self-Sustaining Sustainer! In Your Mercy do I seek relief (Ya Hayyu ya Qayyum, bi-rahmatika astaghith).’”

This supplication reflects the deep connection between the believer and Allah, acknowledging His eternal life and sustaining power. My Islam

Conclusion

Al-Qayyūm embodies the concept of Allah’s unparalleled self-existence and His role as the sustainer of all that is. By reflecting on this attribute, believers can deepen their understanding of Allah’s nature and reinforce their reliance upon Him in every aspect of life.

Avicenna’s formulation of the “Proof of the Truthful” represents a significant milestone in philosophical theology. By articulating a pathway from the existence of contingent beings to a Necessary Existent, he provided a framework that has been the subject of extensive analysis and debate, bridging the realms of ontological and cosmological reasoning.

The ontological argument should, in my opinion, also be linked to the expression لَهُ الْأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَىٰ, His are the Most Beautiful Names in the last verse of Surah Hashr:

He is Allah, the Creator, the Maker, the Fashioner. His are the most beautiful names. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorifies Him, and He is the Mighty, the Wise. (Al Quran 59:24)

The elaboration of Surah Hashr is for another day.

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