Epigraph

God: there is no god but Him, the Ever Living, the Ever Watchful. 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. (The Crown Verse of the Quran 2:255)

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

Paul Davies is a pantheist to the best of my judgment. In the above video he argues that God does not intervene into the universe from time to time as a magician. He was trying to support his pantheistic views but this pushed me further in my theistic paradigm to a more Omnipresent, Omniscient and Omnipotent God. God of Ghazali, who does not intervene occasionally some of the time but all the time.

Davies is a renowned British theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and astrobiologist, celebrated for his extensive contributions to science and his ability to communicate complex ideas to the public. Born on April 22, 1946, in London, England, Davies pursued physics at University College London, earning a Bachelor of Science with first-class honors in 1967 and completing his Ph.D. in 1970. 

Throughout his distinguished career, Davies has held academic positions at several prestigious institutions, including the University of Cambridge, University College London, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, University of Adelaide, and Macquarie University. He currently serves as a Regents’ Professor at Arizona State University, where he directs the Beyond Center for Fundamental Concepts in Science and co-directs the Cosmology Initiative. 

Davies’ research encompasses a broad spectrum of topics, such as quantum field theory, cosmology, and astrobiology. He is particularly noted for his work on the thermodynamic properties of black holes and the nature of time. His contributions to the understanding of quantum fields in curved spacetime have been influential in theoretical physics. 

In addition to his academic achievements, Davies is a prolific author, having written approximately 30 books that cater to both scientific audiences and the general public. His works often explore profound questions about the universe, the origin of life, and the interplay between science and religion. Notable titles include “The Mind of God,” “About Time,” and “The Goldilocks Enigma.” 

Davies’ exceptional ability to bridge the gap between complex scientific concepts and public understanding has earned him numerous accolades. He was awarded the Templeton Prize in 1995 for his efforts to advance the understanding of science and religion. Other honors include the Kelvin Medal from the Institute of Physics in 2001 and the Michael Faraday Prize from the Royal Society in 2002. 

Beyond his research and writing, Davies has been actively involved in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI). In 2005, he chaired the SETI Post-Detection Science and Technology Taskgroup of the International Academy of Astronautics, focusing on the protocols for handling potential contact with alien civilizations. 

Throughout his career, Paul Davies has significantly influenced our understanding of the universe through his research, writing, and public engagement, inspiring curiosity and deeper inquiry into the fundamental questions of existence.

Davies helped consolidate my views about Ghazali’s occasionalism. It is more rational to believe that Allah creates all of the reality that we live in all of the time rather than only some of the time when He intends a miracle. So, with that in view let us read some more about occasionalism:

The Nobel in Physics 2022 Also Goes to Al Ghazali

Does Al-Ghazali’s Occasionalism Naturally Follow From the Quranic Omniscience and Omnipotence of God?

Quantum Entanglement, Ghazali’s Occasionalism, and God’s Continuous Sustenance of the Universe

From the Expression Inshallah to Al Ghazali’s Occasionalism

Why Each Photon of Light is An Exhibit that Al Ghazali May Have the Last Laugh

How God Interacts With the Universe: Grants Prayers, Guided Evolution, and Delivers Miracles At Times?

Ghazali’s Occasionalism, The Miracle of Light and the Crown Verse of the Quran

Quantum Mechanics and Al-Ghazali’s Occasionalism: A Philosophical and Scientific Argument

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