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The Existence of God Unit Plan
The Existence of God Unit Plan
Allah’s Existence
The Case for Allah’s Existence YAQEEN INSTITUTE FOR ISLAMIC RESEARCH
Authors
Hameem Rahman
Rania Abuisnaineh
Tasnim Salem
Sadaf Ahmed
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The Case for Allah’s Existence CONTENTS
Contents
Unit overview and objectives 4
•Unit overview
•Learning objectives
•Content standards
References 42
3
The Case for Allah’s Existence UNIT OVERVIEW & OBJECTIVES
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The Case for Allah’s Existence UNIT OVERVIEW & OBJECTIVES
reason and experience: the teleological (e.g., quantitative data, video, multimedia) in order
argument and the kalam cosmological argument. to address a question or solve a problem.
Each of these arguments have been utilized by
Muslim and non-Muslim philosophers alike, both CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.8
in the classical and modern periods. Through Assess the extent to which the reasoning and
these lessons, we hope to establish that God’s evidence in a text support the author's claims.
existence is a fact that has been historically taken
as a truth that resides in the heart of every CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.9
human without the need for “proof” in the Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to
modern sense. support analysis, reflection, and research.
Content standards
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10.9
Compare and contrast findings presented in a text
to those from other sources (including their own
experiments), noting when the findings support or
contradict previous explanations or accounts.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.11-12.7
Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of
information presented in diverse formats and media
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The Case for Allah's Existence READ BEFORE YOU TEACH
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Animated
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The Case for Allah's Existence READ BEFORE YOU TEACH
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The Case for Allah's Existence LESSON PLAN 1
Lesson plan 1
Science, the Heart, and the Mind
Stage 1: Big ideas and desired results
empiricism is in no conflict with metaphysics or
Lesson overview religious knowledge. The pursuit of knowledge in
Islam is always to bear witness to reality for
Students will begin this unit with an introduction to
oneself—God being the highest form of what is
the scientific revolution, which serves as the basis
real. For Muslims, God serves as the anchor that
for our prevailing worldview. One way to describe
renders the entire system of Islamic thinking to be
the ideology that this revolution wrought is to use
meaningful and in this lesson, we will highlight the
a catch-all phrase, such as scientism or the belief
ontological necessity of God as the foundation for
that the scientific method and scientific findings
morality and purpose.
are the sole criterion for truth. Like most belief
systems, for its believers, scientism is passively
During the last portion of class, students will be
accepted without critique. Therefore, for us to
given a Qur’anic framework for recognizing God's
establish God's reality, the first part of this lesson
reality. In this framework, God establishes His
attempts to critique and highlight the problems of
existence through two primary approaches: mind-
scientism. This is important because it is difficult to
based and heart-based. By differentiating both
solve the errors of faulty thinking if we are
approaches, the Qur’an presents the reality of
encapsulated in faulty thinking ourselves. Of its
God through a holistic means that speaks to all
many problems, the primary issue with scientism is
aspects of our humanity. It also allows for each
its rejection of the idea that human aspirations to
individual to come to know God through the
achieve moral or intellectual betterment have no
means that speaks most to them. In the Qur’an,
grounding in objective reality. Scientism seriously
neither approach is given greater importance;
limits our collective ability to answer fundamental
they complement one another in recognizing the
questions such as “What is moral?” and “What is
existence of God. The following lesson plans will
our purpose?”—both essential questions for living
allow students to dive deeper into each of these
a meaningful life. Students will also recognize that
unique ways of confirming God's reality.
the need to “prove” God is an inherently flawed
discourse due to its faulty assumptions and limited
methodologies of proof. Essential questions
In the second part of the lesson, students will be • How has the Scientific Revolution impacted our
presented with an alternate worldview to present-day discourse on God’s existence?
scientism inherent to Islam. As Muslims, our belief
in a unified domain between God and the cosmos • How does the Qur'anic discourse on God
appeal to the multidimensional nature of human
(tawhid) is the guide to all of our efforts. Thus, we
beings?
do not distinguish between the domains of sacred
and secular knowledge. In other words,
knowledge of the material world through
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The Case for Allah's Existence LESSON PLAN 1
Learning objectives
Toward the completion of this lesson, students
should be able to:
Key vocabulary
Naturalism
a worldview according to which reality is exclusively
governed by the physical and natural laws,
containing nothing “supernatural”, and that the
scientific method should be used to investigate all
areas of reality, including the “human spirit”
Scientism
the belief that science (its tools and empirical inquiry
methods) is the best and only objective means of
explaining all of reality
Scientific method
an empirical method of acquiring knowledge that
begins from a place of rigorous doubt/skepticism
and relies on careful observation through sense-
perception and interpretation of observable data to
establish knowledge
Spiritual instinct
an innate recognition of a Higher Power (God) and
an inclination to seek out and connect with that
Higher Power
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The Case for Allah's Existence LESSON PLAN 1
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The Case for Allah's Existence LESSON PLAN 1
ontological anchor by which everything has people who consistently exhibit caring and
meaning. trustworthy behavior; they continue looking for
these same signs of trustworthiness in other
Learning activity (50 min) people as they grow up. And through our sense
of reason, we develop language skills as early
Slides 2-3 as toddlerhood by mentally mapping out
grammatical speech patterns from the
1. Proceed to slide two and direct students to the conversations we hear around us.
vocabulary definitions on the first page of their
handout (1.1). Point to naturalism and scientism. 4. But according to these dominating ideologies (i.e.,
Explain these ideological forces that culminated naturalism and scientism), we can only be certain
from the Scientific Revolution, and how they of something if it can be “proven” using the
dominate our present-day discourse on God’s scientific method. Without “evidence,” something
existence. is rendered doubtful, irrational, and conclusively
a. Naturalism: a belief that only physical matter, absurd.
its properties, and the natural laws of the Slides 4-6
universe are real. This belief rejects God’s
existence and categorically discounts any Limits of Science
supernatural or spiritual explanation of reality.
b. Scientism: a belief that only science (its tools 1. Proceed to slide four. To illustrate the limitations
and empirical methods of inquiry) can provide of the scientific pathway to knowledge, inform
complete and reliable knowledge of reality. students that you will showcase a series of
This belief relies heavily on the scientific pictures alongside alleged “answers” to big
method and empirical evidence to construct questions that we collectively pursue. Each slide
physical, observable truth. ends with the question, “Can we answer these
questions without God, through the scientific
2. Continue to slide three. Ask students to think
method alone?” Students will share their
about the meaning behind the command to
thoughts with their elbow partners and then
“prove that God is real.” In the paradigms of
with the whole class at the conclusion of each
naturalism and scientism, what constitutes
slide.
“proof”? Why do we need empirical evidence to
“prove” God's Reality? Is belief in God's Reality a. Slide four, the purpose/meaning of human life:
“irrational” and “absurd” without this kind of Your neighbor believes that the purpose of
evidence? his existence and the meaning of life is to
accumulate wealth and create the most
3. Remind students that, throughout our lives, we
comfortable life for himself. He doesn’t value
establish knowledge through a variety of
family, humanitarian aid, or charity to the
pathways: from the testimony of others, our
needy, and he measures the success of his
experiences, reason, individual and shared
life by the money in his bank account. But
memories, and so on.
what is the real purpose of life? Can we
Teacher’s note: If students need concrete answer this question without God, through
examples of this, they may consider the way the scientific method alone?
they come to know things about history, b. Slide five, morality:
language, and the signs of trust, love, and Many people claim that animals do not exist
friendship. For example, we construct our for our consumption; it is immoral to turn
knowledge of past historical events through animals or their byproducts into food or
testimony—from transmitted reports about material goods (e.g., leather, fur, flesh, milk,
events we did not witness firsthand. Our eggs, and so on). Killing an animal for
knowledge of trust, love, and friendship grows consumption is as immoral as killing a human
with experience and memory. As early as infant being. But what is real morality? Can we
hood, babies develop attachment bonds with
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The Case for Allah's Existence LESSON PLAN 1
answer this question without God, and the answers to Life’s Big Questions? Why
through the scientific method alone? does God need to be ‘proved?’”
c. Slide six, life after death: 3. Facilitate a whole-class discussion around
Many people claim that we are just material those questions. Then, toward the end of the
flesh that came into existence through discussion, establish the following points:
evolution; after death, we will all a. Reality: There is one reality, and it exists
decompose in the dirt and become fodder whether or not we believe it to be true. The
for blowflies, beetles, and maggots, without absence of personal conviction in God’s
experiencing resurrection or judgment. existence isn’t proof that He doesn’t exist.
There is no point in being “good” and b. Superior pathway for knowing reality: In
resisting the “bad” because, in the end, the this age of science and atheism, there is a
Hitlers and Abu Bakrs of the world will prevailing ideological force declaring
experience the same ending. But what is science as the superior and only acceptable
the reality of humans after death? Can we pathway for knowing reality (scientism).
answer this question without God, Everything else is treated with skepticism
through the scientific method alone? until it can be tested and “proven.” Why do
we have an infatuation with the scientific
enterprise? For one, we associate the
TEACHER’S NOTE
While listening to students share their reflections to
scientific enterprise and its empirical
each question, prompt them to consider the non- methods of inquiry with all of the medical,
empirical realities that shape our human experience: technological, agricultural, and economic
life’s purpose/meaning, morality, ethics, virtues, prosperity we enjoy today. From this
measures of success, and so on. Ask them if they can pathway, for example, we sent human
think of a scientific method that would help us come to beings to space. We mapped the
know the reality of these essential parts of human geographical contours of our moon and
existence. If we remove God from the picture because other celestial bodies in our solar system.
He can’t be “proven” through science, how can we We discerned weather patterns across our
determine a world of meaning, purpose, and morality? planet and developed sophisticated tools to
Even if we could hypothetically determine a moral detect the formation of hurricanes,
system built on principles of survival alone, is that a
tornadoes, and tsunamis before they strike.
world we would want to live in?
We also charted the intricacies of the human
body. Through rigorous experimentation, we
observed that the human body’s immune
Slides 7-8 system produces antibodies that detect and
1. After showcasing the content from each slide, fight against pathogens (harmful bacteria
continue to slide seven. Explain to students and viruses), and that consuming certain
that knowing what is real (the true state of plant foods strengthens our immune system.
things as they exist, whether or not we believe From this knowledge, we developed
it) comes from a variety of sources. But medicines and medical practices to nurse
because we live in the scientific era, we are our ill back to physical health, contributing to
taught to doubt what is not “proven” through unprecedented records of human longevity.
science and its methods of choice. Science is now affi liated with our present-
2. Pose the questions, “Is the scientific method day power structures (medical,
alone capable of proving the Reality of God technological, and academic institutions)
and the beloved technologies it has given
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The Case for Allah's Existence LESSON PLAN 1
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The Case for Allah's Existence LESSON PLAN 1
Teacher takeaway: The purpose of this activity is must also consider our spiritual faculty that
to prompt students to consider the multiple drives us to believe in the metaphysical
faculties we possess to discern God's Reality: our realities beyond our senses (i.e., God). The
hearts, minds, and bodies (physical senses). As a Qur’an combines both logic and experience to
result of the Scientific Revolution, science (and its speak to God’s existence.
empirical methods of inquiry) is highly regarded as
c. If we deny our spiritual faculty, we would
the only reliable pathway to knowledge.
consequently have to question the validity of
Something has to be observable and testable
our other faculties. The mind is what is used to
before it can be established as “real.” But are our
decipher what we experience through our five
senses the only reliable pathways to knowledge?
senses. Our spiritual instinct is also derived
What about our hearts? Our minds? Our instincts?
from the self—if we can trust our sensory
Our hearts and emotions, as in the example of perceptions and the empirical data they
the comic, are often portrayed as erratic, produce, we must also accept the spiritual
irrational, and incapable of discerning reality. data. This is the attitude being described
This is contradictory to the Qur’an’s through this verse: if we trust some of our
characterization of the human heart. In the verse faculties (i.e., empirical and rational), then we
from Surat al-Hajj, Allah describes the heart as a must trust others (i.e., spiritual).
site of knowledge and reason, perfectly capable
d. Lastly, point out that the Qur’an uses a holistic
of discerning reality. This next section will
approach to highlight the reality
explore how the Qur’an addresses the basis of
of God. This means that the Qur’an recognizes
inquiry through the heart and mind—
that humans have multiple dimensions which
differentiating the two approaches by
they use to draw conclusions. Explain to
recognizing that the heart contains intuitive
students that the upcoming activity, 1.3
beliefs, while the mind contains reflective and
“Qur’anic Approaches” will further explore
conscious beliefs that result from thoughts.
Qur’anic approaches to God’s existence.
While the Qur’an does encourage empirical
reflection of God’s signs as a means of knowing Teacher takeaway: The discussion on this slide
Him, it does not rely on empirical reflection brings to light the fact that to truly accept the
alone. Students will come to recognize that the Reality of God, we cannot fail to acknowledge all
Qur’an takes a multidimensional approach by human faculties. In the previous section, students
engaging our various faculties of knowledge explored how the scientific method and empirical
(heart, body, and mind) to discern God's Reality. reasoning are used as the basis for theorizing the
origins of the world. While Islam has no issue with
Slide 11 science or the scientific method, it does have an
issue with making empiricism the sole means of
1. Proceed to slide eleven and read the verse inquiry. Furthermore, the scientific method cannot
and translation aloud. Use the following points answer questions of purpose and mortality, which
to help students understand the purpose makes other sources of inquiry necessary to
behind this verse: discern reality.
a. In the previous section, we discussed that
God’s existence is beyond the scope of being Slide 12
empirically or scientifically ascertained. 1. Proceed to slide twelve and give students
Relying exclusively on the scientific method handout 1.3 “Qur’anic Approaches.” Give
limits us to empirical conclusions about the students fifteen minutes to read through the
world around us. verses and respond to the question prompts
b. If we are willing to accept our empirical and on the handout.
logical faculties to ascertain reality, then we
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The Case for Allah's Existence LESSON PLAN 1
2. After reading the verses and responding to sailing in the sea, or in the manner the wind
the questions, facilitate a whole-class blows. These signs help us come to the
discussion and encourage students to briefly conclusion that the universe was designed for
share their responses. After hearing student life and was not just a random occurrence.
responses, use the following points to ensure
c. Recognition of multiple dimensions is the
student understanding of the assignment:
primary approach used in the Qur’an to
a. Heart-based reasoning: Remind students of recognize God's Reality. The Qur’an is in full
the verse from Surat al-Hajj they read two recognition of humans as multidimensional
slides back. Explain how in that verse, the beings, which results in speaking with regard
heart was highlighted to be a source of to all of a human being’s dimensions: the
reasoning for humans. In the heart-based heart, body, and mind. Conviction in faith is
verses students just reviewed on 1.3 attained when the basic faculties of the heart
“Qur’anic Approaches'', the verses appeal to and mind combine in reflection upon the facts
the heart first, by remembering God often of existence and the message of the Prophets.
which results in attaining peace and, second, Because of its holistic approach, the Qur’an
by appealing to humans intuitively by does not fall into limitations that exist with
recognizing God's Reality on a deeply spiritual present day discourse when presenting an
level. To expand this further, explain to argument for God's Reality. Instead of limiting
students that the scholar Ibn Rajab states: to only one epistemic category, the Qur’an
“Knowledge is not memorizing narrations or makes an argument for God's Reality that
sayings, but rather it is a light that Allah places takes a multidimensional approach.
in the heart by which a servant understands
the truth and he distinguishes it from Teacher takeaway: This section and student
falsehood.” This quote implies that the heart is activity highlight the way the heart and mind
used to understand and distinguish truth from work together to reinforce the belief and
falsehood. The greatest proof for the reality of God’s existence. The heart is the site
existence of God is discovered in the visceral where certainty of God resides, while the mind
experiences of the heart through which the is there to help with the conviction of God in
believers find comfort, inner-peace, moral the heart. Early Muslim scholars came to the
education, and meaning in life—the spiritual conclusion that knowledge of God resides
fruits of true religion. primarily in the heart and is reinforced by
reason; however, it cannot be consolidated by
b. Mind-based reasoning: The second portion
reason alone. Therefore, early scholars
of 1.3 “Qur’anic Approaches” encourages
defined knowledge of God as a light within the
students to analyze verses from the Qur’an
heart. The Qur’an ignites the light within the
that appeal to mind-based reasoning.
heart in the modern world to provide an
Naturally, humans will ask themselves big,
anchor that can color the world to provide
existential questions such as: “Why am I
meaning, purpose, and direction to individuals
here?” or “Why is there something and not
and society as a whole.
nothing?” When reflecting on how humans,
the Earth, and all components of the universe
were created, the only reasonable conclusion
Consolidation (10 minutes)
is to recognize that the universe was created Slides 13-14
by something more powerful than itself. Taking
this a step further, point out to students that 1. Proceed to slide thirteen. Display the diagram
when using mind-based reasoning, it is easily and use the following notes to summarize the
recognizable that everything was created with concepts presented in this lesson:
a purpose and that signs are all around us to
help identify the purpose. Allah mentions a. God's Reality is beyond the scope of
many of these signs in the Qur’an such as the science and its empirical methods of inquiry.
alternation of the night and day, the ships Rejecting God because He cannot be
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The Case for Allah's Existence LESSON PLAN 1
“proven” renders our existence meaningless into a fruit-bearing plant could not have
and life’s Big Questions unanswered. emerged from nothing; it must have been set
b. We are a multidimensional creation in motion from a supernatural cause outside
comprised of mind, body, and soul: if we of this material universe.
accept that we have an instinctive capacity c. spiritually intuit that the seed serves a
for sensory perception (bodies) and an purpose greater than itself: it blossoms into a
innate cognitive ability to reason (minds), fruit-bearing plant, nourishing other
then we must also accept the spiritual creatures and releasing more oxygen for us
instinct that drives us to seek a Divine to breathe. Everything has a purpose for its
Power and purpose/meaning beyond our existence, which it actualizes under specific
material existence (hearts). So while science conditions—seeds and humans alike.
and its empirical methods are valuable,
contributing immensely to our material Teacher takeaway: This consolidation serves as
advancement, it isn’t the only pathway to a wrap-up of this lesson and as a preview into
knowing what is real. Our hearts and the summative assessment students will
spiritual instincts are also reliable centers of complete at home. Limiting our knowledge of
knowledge. Being a multidimensional reality to what science can empirically observe is
creation, we must allow our hearts, minds, problematic because it dismisses our
and bodies to work synergistically to affirm multidimensional nature and two other equally
God's Reality. reliable faculties of knowledge: our hearts and
c. We can experience God's Reality on a minds. Science alone cannot provide complete
spiritual, mental, and physical level by and reliable knowledge of reality, and deferring
examining the many signs around and to God/supernatural explanations is necessary
within us. for us to live a life filled with purpose. Viewing
2. Proceed to slide fourteen and play the video. everyday signs, such as seed germination or the
While they watch the process of seed rising and setting of the sun, requires
germination, ask students to use their spiritual, recognizing and using multiple faculties which
mental, and physical faculties to reflect on ultimately will lead us to the recognition of God's
God's Reality. Reality.
3. After the video, call on some students to share
their reflections. Homework
4. Proceed to slide fifteen and display the
Pass out a copy of 1.4 “Homework” to each
diagram filled in with supporting details from
student. In this assignment, students will be
the video to highlight the way our faculties
summatively assessed on this lesson’s second
work synergistically to discern God's Reality
objective, which focuses on our multidimensional
around us. Watching the seed germinate, we
nature and need for a heart and mind-based
can...
approach to knowing God’s existence. Below are
a. sensorily observe the seed germination the assignment instructions:
process, which occurs organically around the
world and always under requisite conditions, 1. First, students will capture photos of two
and we recognize that the delicate fine- things through which they personally
tuning of the natural world could not have experience God's Reality in a multidimensional
happened at random. way: in heart (spiritually), in body (physically),
b. logically conclude that the germination and in mind (mentally). Note that these photos
process through which a tiny seedling turns have unlimited possibilities, so encourage
creativity! Their photos can range from dew
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The Case for Allah's Existence LESSON PLAN 1
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The Case for Allah's Existence LESSON PLAN 1
Stage 3: Assessments
Performance tasks
Formative assessment
1. To formatively assess the first objective, have
students complete the flowchart on 1.2 “The
Reality of God”. They will first evaluate our
society’s prevailing attitude that God’s existence
must be doubted until empirically proven, and that
scientific naturalism is the sole vehicle of truth.
After deconstructing that attitude, students will
then explain the limitations of science and
scientific inquiry as the only reliable way of
discerning reality.
2. The student activity on 1.3 “Qur’anic
Approaches” will be used to informally assess the
second objective. After being presented with
mind-based and heart-based rationales from the
Qur’an, students will analyze how the Qur’an takes
a holistic approach in addressing the
multidimensional nature of humans. By reading
through the verses and reflecting on the
relationship they have to affirming God's Reality,
students will be able to recognize and appreciate
the approaches the Qur’an takes to combine
spiritual instinct and experience along with logic
and reason to develop certainty of God's Reality.
Summative assessment
See 1.4 “Homework” above.
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The Case for Allah's Existence LESSON PLAN 2
Lesson plan 2
Fitra: Our Primordial Nature
Stage 1: Big ideas and desired results
ethical, spiritual, and intellectual processing
Lesson overview functions by which the external reality is rendered
meaningful and life’s journey toward God is
In the first lesson, students were introduced to two
appropriately conceived.
ways to establish God’s existence: through the heart
and the mind. In this lesson, students will dive further
into the heart-based approach. People have long Essential questions
wondered and debated about human nature—are
there some behaviors that arise naturally from the • Is there an internal drive within humans that
human being and others that arise solely due to the pushes us to be God-centered? Can we identify
influence of the surrounding culture? How can we this faculty? How can we cultivate it? What
explain why every culture across time and space has taints it?
had rituals of worship to seek transcendence? The
Qur’an presents us with an explanation through the Learning objectives
doctrine of “fitrat Allah”. The fitra refers to the Toward the completion of this lesson, students
natural constitution of human beings or the pure and should be able to:
pristine original state upon which God created all
human beings. The Qur’an presents the most 1 Appreciate the natural human disposition, fitra, to
fundamental aspect of the fitra as the spiritual be an appropriate means to realize the truth of God.
inclination toward God, expressing one’s love of God (cognitive and affective)
in prayer and gratitude, and striving to come closer 2 Feel inclined to consider the importance of
to God. The human’s natural state also encompasses cultivating the soul to facilitate a relationship with
an inclination toward that which is morally and God. (affective)
spiritually pure, upright and wholesome.
In this lesson, students will explore the inner Key vocabulary
workings of the fitra and the feelings of loss and
anxiety when we do not serve our inner human- Fitra
calling toward transcendence. The fitra is like the pristine, primordial nature upon which God
having an internal compass that always points in created every human being, which drives humans
the direction of good works that bring us closer to toward God, purpose, and spiritual, moral, and
God. However, without guidance and proper intellectual excellence
sustenance, the fitra is corruptible. Accordingly, in
the second part of this lesson, students will
explore the various worldly pursuits that agitate
and attempt to cover up this intuitive sense. A
human being can distract oneself from the deeper
questions of life by pursuing fleeting bodily
pleasures as many do or challenge oneself to
engage in a serious search for meaning. The fitra
is thus composed of a conceptual apparatus with
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The Case for Allah's Existence LESSON PLAN 2
The Qur’an refers to human religious nature as fitrat 3. Then, facilitate a whole-class discussion around
Allah, the instinctive and inherent disposition with which the questions. Call on many students to
God created people. It is this disposition that allows us determine the common thread between all of
as human beings to sense the existence of God by pure the photos and what they think may be the
instinct, outside of logical reasoning or interaction with source of that commonality.
prophetically revealed texts. One of the primary
objectives of this lesson is to establish the human fitra During the discussion, seek to accomplish two
as a heart-based approach for recognizing God’s things. First, highlight the human universality of
existence. We accomplish this through three avenues: spiritual expression as well as the visceral
feeling of inner-calm people derive from
A Humanity’s collective experience: In the opening
spiritual practices. While pointing to the gallery
gallery walk, students will reflect on the historical and
cross-cultural phenomenon of spiritual expression. photos, emphasize that human beings
B Our personal experience: In the movie clip and throughout history and across all cultures
journaling prompt, students will reflect on their intuitively sense the existence of God—or what
individual experiences feeling instinctively inclined they perceive as a transcendent, higher power
toward God, morality, and purpose, while deriving inner- beyond the physical world—with or without a
peace from nourishing their fitra. prophetic revelation to guide them.
C Islamic scripture: In the close-reading activity,
students will reflect on the Qur’anic explanation for Even modern-secular people have developed
spirituality as a personal, historical, and cross-cultural ways to satiate their spiritual fervor with what is
phenomenon—the site of which is the fitra—using three labeled “new age spirituality.” Tracing back to
verses as anchor texts.
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The Case for Allah's Existence LESSON PLAN 2
the mid-twentieth century, this form of spirituality Gilbert finds herself in a state of misery and
(such as meditation, yoga, tarot-reading, what she describes as “life-threatening despair.”
astrology, mediumship, etc.) persists outside of A month of midnight meltdowns culminates into
organized religions and their respective something unusual for Gilbert: prayer. She slips
institutions and uses secularized language to out of bed and into the bathroom, and in a
rationalize its purpose. Rituals and practices that moment of spontaneous spirituality, she
induce mystical and transcendental states also collapses onto her knees and begs God for
continue; for example, the use of psychedelics guidance regarding what she feels is an
and transcendental meditation (TM) aim to fulfill unhappy marriage.
this universal human drive but do so without the
“And so the prayer narrowed itself down to that
use of religious language.
simple entreaty—Please tell me what to do—
We observe from these examples that the need repeated again and again,” she narrates.
to seek out, conceptualize, and connect with the
What is interesting is that Gilbert opens her
divine is a historical and cross-cultural
prayer with an apology to God for her spiritual
phenomenon, instinctive to all people in the
disconnect. Praying, she says, is “such a foreign
same way that eating, drinking, procreating,
concept” to her that she almost begins her
cultivating relationships, and communicating
prayer with “I’m a big fan of Your work.”
through language is instinctive. The question we
Nonetheless, she persists in prayer, hoping that
must ask ourselves is, “What is the site of this
a sincere supplication to God will grant her
spiritual instinct?”
guidance and clarity through her overwhelming
Second, keep note of what students believe is grief.
the site of this spiritual instinct. Rather than
6. Explain to students that this clip is an anecdotal
providing the answer, listen and observe
illustration of a broader human tendency: to
whether or not the students know to attribute it
recognize our intrinsic need for God and to call
to the fitra, the primordial human disposition
to Him in moments of neediness, despair, or life-
which will be explained in the beginning of this
threatening danger, as the verse from Surat
lesson’s instruction.
Yunus [10:12] reminds us: “And when humankind
4. Continue to slide three. Inform students that is touched with hardship, he calls upon Us,
they are going to watch a scene from the film whether lying on his side, or sitting, or
adaptation of the memoir Eat, Pray, Love, written standing…”
by Elizabeth Gilbert.
TEACHER'S NOTE
ٱﻟﴬ َد َﻋﺎﻧَﺎ ﻟِ َﺠﻨ ِﺒ ِﻪۦٓ أَ ْو َﻗﺎ ِﻋﺪً ا أَ ْو َﻗ ِﺂمئًﺎ َٰ َِٕوإِ َذا َﻣ ﱠﺲ ْٱﻻ
ﻧﺴ َﻦ ﱡ ﱡ
The memoir Eat, Pray, Love is about a successful modern
woman. The protagonist, Elizabeth Gilbert, initiates a divorce 7. Invite students to share their thoughts on the
from her husband in her early thirties and spends the following movie scene and the verse from Surat Yunus.
year traveling around the world, seeking fulfillment in foreign Ask them if they have ever experienced or
cuisine (eat), spirituality (pray), and a romantic relationship (love). witnessed prayer as an instinctive reaction to
intense hardship.
5. Play the movie clip. Afterward, share the
following commentary with students: In this clip Teacher takeaway: In this two-part opening
from the movie adaptation, Gilbert is seen in her activity, the gallery walk and the movie clip,
large, newly-purchased house in a prestigious students explore outward manifestations of
suburb of New York. She is at the pinnacle of spirituality and our instinctive drive toward God
success: married, educated, well-traveled, and on two levels: the collective and the personal.
celebrating successive milestones in her
bustling writing career. Yet despite all of that, The purpose of this movie clip and commentary
is to further establish the reality of the fitra.
21
The Case for Allah's Existence LESSON PLAN 2
c. Third, have a group discussion about the monotheistic (not to be confused with
two Qur’anic verses. What thoughts, “Muslim”) and enters this world stamped with
feelings, and questions arise as you read the innate tendency toward a monotheistic
each text? Which words or phrases stick way of life. This strong desire to connect with
out? What connections are you making the Divine Reality, this historical and cross-
between the verses and yourself? The cultural phenomenon of spiritual expression,
verses and the world around you? The is the working of the fitra, i.e., the pristine,
verses and other things you have read or primordial disposition upon which God
seen recently? And lastly, what is the main created every human being. Perfectly poised
idea of each text? Record your connections, to receive guidance, the fitra works like an
reflections, and questions on the table. internal compass. It remains oriented toward
three things—spirituality (pure monotheism,
3. After ten minutes, transition to slide five and
truth, and purpose), morality (loving
redirect student attention to the first of two
compassion, justice, and virtuous character,
texts about the fitra. To facilitate this whole-
and abhorring their opposites), and
class discussion, toggle between slides five
intellectuality (truth, meaning, and language/
and six, recite each text aloud, and invite
communication)—with or without prophetic
students to share the personal connections,
guidance, unless corrupted by negative,
reflections, and questions they formed during
external effects.
their group study. You may consult the
following notes on each text to further engage Slide six, the primordial covenant
students, to clarify any misunderstandings,
Text: And remember when your Lord brought
and to help deepen their appreciation of
forth from the loins of the children of Adam
the fitra.
their descendants and had them testify
Slide five, the primordial nature regarding themselves. [Allah asked] “Am I not
your Lord?” They replied, “Yes, You are, we
Text: So turn your face toward the true, natural
testify.” [He cautioned] “Now you have no
way of life, as a seeker of truth—God’s chosen
right to say on Judgment Day, ‘We were not
fitra (primordial disposition) upon which He
aware of this.’” [Surat al-A’raf, 7:172]
has formed humanity. There is no substituting
the primary state of God’s creation. That is the َو اِذ اَ َﺧ َﺬ َرﺑﱡﻚَ ِﻣﻦ ﺑَ ِﻨﻰ اٰ َد َم ِﻣﻦ ﻇُ ُﻬﻮ ِر ِﻫﻢ ُذ ﱢرﻳﱠ َﺘ ُﻬﻢ
correct way of life, though most people fail to
realize it. [Surat ar-Rum, 30:30] ُ َواَﺷ َﻬﺪَ ُﻫﻢ َﻋ ٰٓﲆ اَﻧﻔ ُِﺴﻬِﻢ ۚ اَﻟ
ۚۛ َﺴﺖ ِﺑ َﺮﺑﱢﻜُﻢ ؕ َﻗﺎﻟُﻮا ﺑَ ٰﲆ
ﺎسَ ﻳﻦ َﺣ ِﻨﻴﻔًﺎ ؕ ِﻓﻄ َﺮ َت اﻟﻠﱣ ِﻪ اﻟﱠ ِﺘﻰ َﻓﻄَ َﺮ اﻟ ﱠﻨ ِ ﻓﺎ ِﻗﻢ َوﺟ َﻬﻚَ ﻟِﻠﺪﱢ ۙ ﺷَ ﻬِﺪﻧَﺎ ۛۚ اَن ﺗَﻘُﻮﻟُﻮا ﻳَﻮ َم اﻟ ِﻘ ٰﻴ َﻤ ِﺔ اِﻧﱠﺎ ﻛُ ﱠﻨﺎ َﻋﻦ ٰﻫ َﺬا ٰﻏ ِﻔﻠِﻴ َﻦ
َوﻟٰـ ِﻜ ﱠﻦ ۙ َـﻠﻖ اﻟﻠﱣ ِﻪ ؕ ٰذﻟِﻚَ اﻟﺪﱢ ﻳ ُﻦ اﻟ َﻘ ﱢﻴ ُﻢ
ِ َﻋﻠَﻴ َﻬﺎ ؕ َﻻ ﺗَﺒ ِﺪ َﻳﻞ ﻟِﺨ Commentary: This verse is called ayat al-
mithaq ()آية امليثاق, or the verse of the treaty,
ﺎس َﻻ ﻳَﻌﻠ َُﻢ ََ ا
ِ َﻛرث اﻟ ﱠﻨ
because it recounts the primordial covenant
Commentary: According to the Islamic God took with all of humanity before our
paradigm, the most fundamental aspects of earthly existence. In this metaphysical
human nature were formed before existence exchange, every soul experienced the Reality
—not at birth, as is commonly believed, nor of God; every soul bore witness to its true
strictly through the interplay of nature monotheistic faith, thus stamping into memory
(genetics) and nurture (environment). This its knowledge of God and precipitating its
verse delineates some of these fundamental journey to remembering God throughout its
aspects of humanity and contends that they lifetime on earth. Interestingly, the question
cannot be substituted. What are these God posed in that exchange—“Am I not your
fundamental aspects? First and foremost, Lord?”—is rhetorical, meaning that the answer
every human soul is instinctively hanif or was already known to the souls being
23
The Case for Allah's Existence LESSON PLAN 2
questioned. In other words, every human soul and not in need of theologizing, as this section
instinctively affirms God’s existence and is concludes.
compelled to seek Him, though this tendency
Muslims have a long and dynamic tradition that
may diminish due to distraction and/or
stresses the spiritual component of human
corruption.
existence as a valid epistemological gateway to
4. At the conclusion of the discussion, reiterate God, in addition to the empirical and logical
the main idea of each verse for students, which means of attaining knowledge of Him. An
they should cross-check with their individual important component of the atheist movement is
responses on 2.3. to either reject the spiritual aspect of the human
being or to reduce it to mere brain signals. Thus,
a. Surat Rum, 30:30 | The main idea of this
spirituality is not considered to be a valid
verse is that every human being was created
epistemic criterion on their account. Muslims
upon the fitra (the primordial disposition)
should acknowledge this point of departure as a
which orients him or her toward the belief in
feature of the dialogue between atheists and
God, moral education, and intelligence.
theists, but they should not forget that the spirit is
the fundamental core of human existence within
b. Surat al-A’raf, 7:172 | The main idea of this
the Islamic framework. Furthermore, they should
verse is that every human fitra has an
bear in mind that the nourishment of the spirit,
intimate imprint of God’s existence and bore
mind, and body occurs within the inseparable and
witness to God’s Reality prior to its earthly
triangular balance between the various sciences
existence.
of Islamic studies including jurisprudence, Sufism,
Teacher takeaway: The objective of this section is and dialectic theology: one cannot be raised
to first explain our collective and personal above the other, nor can one dispose of any of
tendencies toward spirituality through the reality the three.
of the fitra. According to the Qur’an, this historical
and cross-cultural phenomenon of spiritual Slides 7-8
expression stems from human instinct, the site of 1. Proceed to slide seven and pose the following
which is the fitra. This fitra is ingrained with the question to students: “If every child is created
spiritual, moral, and intellectual imperatives that upon the fitra and born oriented toward pure
drive human behavior in the unified pursuit of God monotheism (the belief and submission to One
(or whatever people perceive as a Higher Power). God), why isn’t everyone a monotheist?” In
The close-reading activity students completed other words, what accounts for the discrepancy
earlier may also help them appreciate the between the primordial state of human beings
Qur’an’s holistic approach to the question of and how some people live today?
God’s existence. Unlike present-day discourse on
God and reality—which is shaped by radical 2. To explore this discrepancy, students will turn to
skepticism, scientism, the rejection of the spiritual “Part III: Continued Discussion” on their
faculty, and the demand for empirical proofs—the handout (2.3) and collaborate with an elbow
Qur’anic approach to God’s existence considers partner to complete a close-reading of the
the human as a tripartite being, consisting of hadith. As with the first close-reading exercise,
mind, body, and soul. It stresses our spiritual they will also form personal connections,
faculty as a valid epistemological gateway to reflections, and questions about the text and
knowing God, in addition to our empirical/physical record their notes in the table.
and logical means of attaining knowledge of Him.
3. After a few minutes, direct student attention to
With the affirmation of the fitra, the Qur’an
the next slide (slide eight). Recite the hadith
establishes God’s existence not as a hypothesis in
narration aloud and invite students to share the
need of proof, but rather, as an uncontested,
personal connections, reflections, and
fundamental matter known instinctively by the
questions they formed during their close-
fitra. In other words, the belief in God is universal
24
The Case for Allah's Existence LESSON PLAN 2
reading. You may consult the following notes on Humanity is home to millions of these
each text to further engage students, clarify any manufactured ideologies and worldviews, some
misunderstandings, and help deepen their of which are aberrations from our primordial
understanding of the fitra’s likelihood of being human nature. To follow any of them against the
corrupted. better judgment of the fitra is akin to an animal
amputating part of its body: each is left feeling
TEACHER'S NOTE invariably defective and un-whole.
For a meaningful discussion on this subject, ask students to
share personal stories about the impact that various worldviews So while the fitra is pure upon a child’s birth,
incongruous with reality/morality have had on their belief in God imprinted with knowledge of God and bound by
(or stories about unnamed friends and family). Or, perhaps, you its primordial covenant with Him, it is also
may share your own stories about people you know who susceptible to corruption throughout a child’s
experienced a tainted fitra and an impaired moral compass due lifetime. The role of prophets and revelation is to
to overwhelming external influences. The examples may be mild,
such as the case with someone becoming distracted from God in
simply awaken and reinforce the disposition that
the relentless pursuit of materialistic pleasures, or more severe, is already inside us.
as the case with someone who adopts scientism and rejects
God’s existence until some empirical proof is presented to them.
In any event, supply students with an example from your 4. Conclude the discussion by stating the hadith
personal life that will engender openness as they share theirs. narration’s main idea: Every human being is
born upon the fitra, and every one of us, Muslim
or non-Muslim, enters this physical world with
Slide eight, the possibility of corruption
an innate set of beliefs and motivations that
orients us in the direction of God and His
Text: Prophet Muhammad (s) said, “No child is
guidance. However, our fitras are likely to be
born except upon the fitra, though his parents
corrupted from negative, external effects.
[may] raise him a Jew, a Christian, or a Magian,
Regardless of any suboptimal influences and
etc., just as an animal is born whole—do you see
pressures we experienced growing up, it is our
any part of its body amputated or
individual responsibility to rectify our fitras in
deformed?” [Bukhari & Muslim]
order to achieve a meaningful, God-oriented
existence, moral uprightness, and a true sense
َ َﻓﺎَٔﺑَ َﻮا ُه ﻳُ َﻬ ﱢﻮ َداﻧِ ِﻪ أَ ْو ﻳُ َﻨ ﱢ،َﻣﺎ ِﻣ ْﻦ َﻣ ْﻮﻟُﻮ ٍد إِﻻﱠ ﻳُﻮﻟَﺪُ َﻋ َﲆ اﻟْ ِﻔﻄْ َﺮ ِة
ﴫاﻧِ ِﻪ of fulfillment.
َ َﻫ ْﻞ ﺗُ ِﺤ ﱡﺴﻮن، ﻛ ََام ﺗُ ْﻨ َﺘ ُﺞ اﻟْ َﺒﻬِﻴ َﻤ ُﺔ ﺑَﻬِﻴ َﻤ ًﺔ َﺟ ْﻤ َﻌﺎ َء،أَ ْو ُميَ ﱢﺠ َﺴﺎﻧِ ِﻪ
Teacher takeaway: So far in this lesson, students
ِﻓﻴ َﻬﺎ ِﻣ ْﻦ َﺟﺪْ َﻋﺎ َء have been introduced to two social phenomena
that occur on a mass scale. The first is the cross-
Commentary: As stated earlier, the fitra is cultural phenomenon of individuals praying and
perfectly poised to receive guidance, and it engaging in rituals that call upon a transcendent
remains oriented toward pure monotheism, truth, being, as was demonstrated through the gallery
purpose, and moral education unless corrupted walk activity. The second is the contemporary
by negative, external effects. These negative phenomenon where people actively deny the
pollutants originate in our environment, primarily possibility of God’s existence due to ideological
from family influences, societal and cultural beliefs, such as scientism and naturalism. From
pressures, media, societal and cultural pressure, the Qur’an and hadith, we learn why these
satanic whispering, and so on. An atheistic phenomena exist. Every human being is created
upbringing, for example, may bury one’s belief in with an innate disposition to believe in God,
God or a Higher Power. A secular society may known as the fitra. This “God-sense”, however, is
condition one to believe that there is no absolute easily corruptible. Given the ideological forces
purpose for human existence; that we can each that characterize our historical moment, a growing
determine our own version of “truth” and define number of individuals deny God’s existence. The
morality according to what makes us happy. primary takeaway for students here is to realize
25
The Case for Allah's Existence LESSON PLAN 2
that, despite the corruption of the fitra leading to high-end brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton.
the denial of God, every human maintains this He persisted in his materialistic pursuits until,
God-sense and therefore has the potential to one day, Ali was diagnosed with stage-four
steer back to their natural disposition. It is also cancer—the “gift,” as Ali called it, that opened
worth recognizing that when humanity moves his eyes to the Reality of God and His existence
away from cultivating this inner sense, they feel and inspired his spiritual awakening. Ali died in
empty and without purpose. In the next section, Ramadan at the age of thirty-six.
students will learn the story of two individuals,
one from a Christian upbringing and another from 3. Think, Pair, & Share: After playing both clips,
a Muslim upbringing, who pursued a hyper- ask students to reflect on and discuss the
materialistic lifestyle, and upon finding it following question with an elbow partner, “How
unsatisfactory, returned to their fitri senses. come material pleasures do not produce a fully
satisfactory life?” After a few minutes, call on
Slides 9-10 some students to share.
1. Proceed to slide nine. Inform students that they 4. Conclude the discussion with the following:
will watch video clips about two unique
Living in contradiction to the fitra (Scott’s
individuals: Scott Harrison and Ali Banat. As
story): Scott’s story is archetypal of the short-
they listen to Harrison and Banat’s stories, they
lived happiness and subsequent emptiness
should reflect on the message each story is
humans experience when consumed by
communicating about the consequences of
materialism and an immoral way of life.
corrupting the fitra, and our individual
imperative to restore it, cultivate it, and reclaim Scott spent ten years chasing hedonic
its higher purpose. pleasures. Bouncing between casinos, night
lounges, and strip clubs, he was earning a
2. Give students a brief biography of each fortune promoting and selling alcohol at New
individual and then play the video clips: York’s busiest parties, yet what he felt at the
pinnacle of that pursuit wasn’t what he
Meet Scott Harrison: Scott grew up with a expected. “Although it looked glamorous on the
loving Christian family in a Philadelphia suburb. outside, there was a long decline in happiness,”
At the age of four, his mother became ill from Scott admits. “I remember just feeling so
carbon-monoxide poisoning, so Scott began unhealthy about it all [...] I was spiritually
taking care of her in between school, work, bankrupt; I was emotionally bankrupt; I was
piano practice, and Church services. Then, at certainly morally bankrupt. I tried to find my way
the age of eighteen, Scott’s life took a complete back to a very lost faith.” From his story and the
turn. He left home and spent ten years working story of many others, we learn that corrupting
as a nightclub and party promoter in Manhattan, the fitra and depriving it of what it craves—a
where he chased after pleasure, popularity, and relationship with the Divine, and the spiritual,
worldly possessions. moral, and existential direction provided by that
relationship—inevitably leads to feelings of
Meet Ali Banat: Ali was a young Australian- emptiness and perpetual discontent. Perhaps
Muslim businessman of Lebanese descent. this is why the Prophet (s) compared the person
Through his self-built security and electrical with a corrupted fitra to a deformed animal with
company, Ali quickly became a successful an amputated limb: both are no longer healthy
millionaire before the age of thirty and built a and whole.
reputation for a luxurious, materialistic lifestyle.
He spent his twenties traveling the world and Living in alignment with the fitra (Ali’s story):
accumulating diamond-encrusted watches, Ali’s story is archetypal of the heedlessness
ferraris, and a limited-edition wardrobe from people often fall into when immersed in
material abundance, and the spiritual
26
The Case for Allah's Existence LESSON PLAN 2
awakening they often experience when struck emptiness and dissatisfaction we feel when we
with hardship. Before Ali was diagnosed with neglect this instinctive need and falsely believe
stage-four cancer, he had dedicated his life in that materialistic and hedonic pursuits can
pursuit of luxuries and material comforts, which substitute our relationship with God. In reality,
he gradually acquired with the success of his no amount of materialistic success or hedonic
business. But news of his cancer diagnosis pleasure can fill the void that remains from a
instantly opened his eyes to the shallowness of deprived fitra. The greatest proof for the
his materialistic way of life and reoriented him existence and Lordship of Allah, then, is
toward God, moral uprightness, and greater discovered in the visceral experiences of the
purpose. “Driving [a $600,000 Ferrari spider] heart through which the believers find comfort,
like this doesn’t really cross my mind anymore,” inner-peace, moral education, and meaning in
Ali said in an interview. “This is the last thing I life—the spiritual fruits of true religion. The
want to chase.” He then spent his final days Qur’an promises those who have faith that they
establishing charities and building mosques, will live a “good life” and move into an infinitely
which he described as more meaningful to him greater existence in the afterlife. The peace that
and his relationship with God than everything believers experience in this life is only a brief
he ever owned. taste of the peace to come in the Hereafter.
Reflecting upon this fact day after day in prayer
Ali’s story teaches us that when we orient
contributes to a state of calm and tranquility.
ourselves toward God, moral uprightness, and
The Prophet ﷺsaid, “Wealth is in the heart and
greater purpose, we experience the spiritual
fruits of inner-peace that no amount of hedonic poverty is in the heart. Whoever is wealthy in
pleasure, popularity, and worldly possessions his heart will not be harmed no matter what
can provide. happens in the world. Whoever is impoverished
in his heart will not be satisfied no matter how
5. Continue to slide ten and read aloud the much he has in the world. Verily, he will only be
following statement made by successful harmed by the greed of his own soul. As a
Hollywood actor and comedian Jim Carrey: “I result, those who achieve this state of being—
wish everybody could get rich and famous and along with their basic worldly needs—are truly
do everything they ever dreamed of so they the wealthiest people in the world. The soul is
can see that it’s not the answer.” Explain that his not of this world so it can not be fulfilled with
statement captures something we all know things of this world” [Tabarani]. The
intuitively through the fitra: that is, the material contentment described in Islamic texts is a state
world—meaning pleasure, popularity, and of stability that protects believers from
worldly possessions—only provides us oscillating between extremes of momentary
temporary satisfaction. Living a God-less euphoria and sorrow, such that they can remain
existence and depriving the fitra what it seeks in a state of calm and tranquility regardless of
of spirituality, purpose, and moral education will what happens in their lives.
lead to an overwhelming sense of
dissatisfaction that can only be lifted by Slide 11
cultivating and living in alignment with the fitra.
1. Proceed to slide eleven and pass out copies of
2.4 “The Allegory of the Fitra”.
Teacher takeaway: The purpose of this section
is tied to this lesson’s second objective—that is, 2. Tell students that they will demonstrate their
to help students feel some consideration for the understanding of the fitra, and the implications
importance of cultivating their fitra, and some of cultivating or corrupting it, in a take-home
awareness of the external influences and project. The objective of this project is to create
individual behaviors that may be corrupting it. an allegory of the fitra in short-story form along
Every fitra craves a relationship with God. Scott with an accompanying diorama (i.e., a three-
Harrison and Ali Banat’s stories highlight the dimensional visual representation of their
27
The Case for Allah's Existence LESSON PLAN 2
allegory). This allegory must use objects and Frayer Model by sharing examples and non-
figures symbolically in order to convey a examples of a life upon the fitra.
deeper message about one of the following:
b. Second, reflect on and respond to the
a. Absence of God | The consequences following question: “Reflect on the reality of
of living a God-less life: corrupting the the fitra and how it drives us (on a personal
fitra through negative, external influences and collective level) to seek God, meaning,
and immoral behavior and rejecting its and moral excellence. How does the reality of
instinctive needs fitra establish a heart-based rationale for
b. Presence of God | The consequences of God’s existence? How do you feel about this
living a God-centered life: cultivating the line of evidence?”
fitra through positive, external influences 2. Collect the exit tickets from students before
and moral behavior and nourishing its concluding the lesson.
instinctive needs.
3. Direct student attention to the first page of 2.4
and read aloud the example of an allegory on Homework
climate change. Use this time to explain the Pass out a copy of 2.4 “The Allegory of the Fitra” to
characteristics of an allegory and respond to each student.
any student questions.
Teacher’s note: If this specific literary device
(i.e., allegory) is too challenging for students to
apply to the fitra, you may modify this project
by asking them to develop a metaphor of the
fitra instead.
4. Give students a few minutes to select their
focus from the two options, and to begin listing
the real-world influences that work to cultivate
or corrupt the fitra. They should reflect on their
own life experiences: “What are the external
forces, positive or negative, and personal habits
influencing your fitra?”
5. After a few minutes, continue on to the
consolidation.
Consolidation (8 min)
Slide 12
1. Proceed to slide twelve and direct students to
“Part IV: Exit Ticket” on their handout (2.3). To
conclude the lesson, students will now
summarize what they learned about the fitra
and reflect on its role as a heart-based proof for
God’s existence. Set the timer for 6-7 minutes
while students complete the following tasks:
a. First, develop a definition of the fitra based
on what you learned in class. Then, list its
defining characteristics. Conclude your
28
The Case for Allah's Existence LESSON PLAN 2
Stage 3: Assessments
Performance tasks
Formative assessment 2.3
To formatively assess the first objective, have
students complete the Frayer Model and
reflection question on 2.3 “The Human Fitra”.
Students will use that space to define the fitra,
elaborate on its core characteristics, and explain
its role as a heart-based proof for God’s
existence. A rubric is provided at the end for
student assessment.
29
The Case for Allah's Existence LESSON PLAN 3
Lesson plan 3
The Rational Proof of God
Stage 1: Big ideas and desired results
Lesson overview Essential questions
In the final lesson plan of this unit, students will • What are the distinctive qualities between the
focus on two mind-based arguments for two Qur’anic approaches to proving God’s
establishing God’s reality: the teleological existence?
argument and the kalam cosmological argument.
As it was explored in the previous lesson, although • How are the mind-based approaches to God’s
knowledge of God is an intuitive sense that all existence based on rationality and experience?
humans are predisposed with, the Qur’an presents
another approach to recognizing God’s reality by Learning objectives
using one’s intellect. A mind-based or “rational” Toward the completion of this lesson, students
way of proving God’s existence is necessary in should be able to:
case the fitra is corrupted. This approach may also
work in tandem with what the heart already knows 1 Appreciate creation and its inherent complexity as
in order to strengthen one’s conviction. Through signs of God. (affective)
the mind-based approach, the Qur’an provokes its 2 Understand the classical kalam cosmological
readers to not take God for granted, but to argument and appreciate its argument’s rationale
rationally imagine creation and its intricacies from both experience and pure reason. (cognitive
without a cause or creator. This reflection of the and affective)
sensible world forces one to grapple with the
illogical position that things come into existence Key concepts and vocabulary
without the need of an agent, not to mention
something as complex as the universe. Students Teleological argument
will come to appreciate that the world is
discernible and, with greater knowledge of the the argument for the existence of God from the
world within all fields of scientific inquiry including evidence of order, and hence design, in nature
biology and physics, one is only further pushed to
Fine-tuning
accept that there must be a volitional and
intelligent Creator. to make small adjustments for optimal performance
or effectiveness
To conclude, students will learn about the classical
Islamic argument for God’s existence, referred to in Kalam cosmological argument
this unit as the “kalam cosmological argument”. In
short, this argument is composed of two premises a three-pronged argument (developed by Muslim
that, if proven accurate, necessitate the truth of the theologians of the cosmological argument) that
concluding statement. Students will parse through makes an inference from particular alleged facts
these two premises in a way that will demonstrate about the universe (cosmos) to the existence of a
their absolute certainty and allow them to unique being, generally identified with or referred to
necessarily conclude without a doubt that God as God
most certainly exists.
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The Case for Allah's Existence LESSON PLAN 3
Principle of causality
the philosophical principle that every change in the
universe is produced by some cause
Principle of noncontradiction
the principle that contradictory opposites cannot
both be true at the same time and in the same sense
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The Case for Allah's Existence LESSON PLAN 3
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The Case for Allah's Existence LESSON PLAN 3
asked, “Can you imagine a ship on the Tigris River verse on slides two and three and highlight their
that moved and navigated by itself, filled itself with importance using the following notes:
food, goods, and other materials, went back by
a. Allah asks us to reflect on the nature of our
itself, anchored itself, unloaded itself and
existence and the universe.
continued to do all of this without anyone
managing it?” They responded, “That could never b.Allah tells us to look at ourselves as proof.
happen.” Abu Hanifah said, “If it is impossible for a What are some examples within our own
ship, then how is it possible for the entire world in selves that serve a greater purpose? Our eyes
all of its vastness?” If neither balloons in our were made to see. Our ears were made to
opening activity nor a ship in the Tigris River can hear. Our lungs were made to breathe.
possibly move without a discernible purpose and
design, how can we imagine or think that the c. What do we notice when we observe the
universe with all of its complexity came into being universe and all that it contains? The very
without a designer? In the next section, students fabric of the cosmos, from the macroscopic
will examine a number of Qur'anic verses that stars to the microscopic world of microbes
establish God’s existence from the argument of and everything in between, contains a set of
purpose and design. universal, natural laws that produce order.
Encourage students to share examples of
order in the universe.
Learning activity (50 min)
2. Continue to slide three and read the verses
TEACHER'S NOTE and translation aloud. There are similarities
between these verses and the previous one.
In the previous lesson, we looked at a heart-based
Give students a chance to point them out.
approach to establishing God’s existence. In this
section, students will explore a mind-based approach a. Prompt students to reflect on the meaning of
through verses that call us to ponder the signs in the verses. Give students two minutes to jot
nature. We are called to engage in thoughtful reflection down their thoughts to the following
(tafakkur) upon all of these signs as a means of questions:
recognizing our purpose and attaining conviction. The
case for God’s existence in the Qur'an and Sunnah is i. Have you ever had a moment where you
straightforward, easy to comprehend, and supported reflected on the purpose of your existence
by logic and sound reasoning. Special training or or whether or not anything can exist
mastering a philosophy is not needed to arrive at the without an intent or purpose? What evoked
truth of theism; the evidence and arguments are those thoughts?
accessible to all people regardless of their level of
education. This is a manifestation of the wisdom and ii. Why was the universe in all of its intricacy
mercy of the Creator, who created the world so that He created?
would be known, as a stepping-stone toward the
greater life to come in the Hereafter. The spiritual path b.Invite students to share their answers with the
does require, however, a sustained and patient effort to class.
seek out the truth, to answer the most important
existential questions, and to remove specious doubts.
Teacher takeaway: The Qur'an addresses this
question with a cosmological discourse, a
reminder that it was God who created everything
Slides 2-3 and caused it to be, as the only logical explanation
for the universe. Human beings are asked to
1. Proceed to slide two and display the first verse. reflect upon the nature of their existence and the
Inform the class that they will now take a glance universe. Is it really plausible, sensible, and
at what the Qur’an says regarding seeking out intuitive that the universe appeared arbitrarily for
the truth and finding our purpose. Read the no reason? Or that anything can come into
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The Case for Allah's Existence LESSON PLAN 3
existence from a complete vacuum? effectuated the universe's expansion and life on
earth.
Slide 4
Slide 6
1. Proceed to slide four and play the video clip.
1. Proceed to slide six. Play the video clip to
2. Turn & Talk: After the video, encourage
introduce examples of fine-tuning in the
students to turn and discuss the following
universe.
questions with a partner:
a. What fascinated you most about the video?
TEACHER'S NOTE
b. What are some ways we silence our fitra and This video introduces students to the term “fine-tuning”
distract ourselves from questioning our through examples that exist in our universe. It is
purpose? important to note that in this video and the slides that
follow, the constants provided are only a reflection of
Slide 5 what we currently know. We presume that there are
others that we will be able to measure as our
1. Proceed to slide five and introduce the technologies and tools to calculate such numbers
students to the teleological argument. Read the improve.
text on the slide and elaborate with the
following notes:
a. The term teleological comes from the Greek Slides 7-10
words telos and logos. Telos means the
1. Proceed to slide seven. Pass out 3.2 “Guided
“goal”, “end”, or “purpose of a thing”, while
Notes” and instruct students to take notes as
logos means “the study of the very nature of a
you go through the next four slides. Inform
thing.”
students that they will now expand on some of
b. The Qur'an encourages us to ponder this very the numbers mentioned in the video. These
question and to examine the world around us. constants play a crucial role in the expansion of
c. When we look closely, we notice that the the universe.
universe contains order, coherency, design, a. N ≈ 1036: N is the square ratio of the
and complexity. electrostatic and the gravitational forces
d. How do we know there is this fine tuning and between two protons. N governs the relative
intentionality in this universe? Let’s take a look importance of gravity and electrostatic
at some examples. attraction/repulsion in explaining the
Teacher takeaway: In this section, students learn properties of matter. If it had any less zeros,
about one of three mind-based rationales for only a miniature earth would exist and no
God's existence, namely the teleological creature would grow larger than an insect.
argument, based on the Qur’an and their personal 2. Continue to slide eight to display the next
experience. The teleological argument is also number.
known as the argument from design. It has been a. ε ≈ 0.007: E measures how firmly the atomic
used by philosophers and various faiths to argue nuclei bind together and governs the energy
for the existence of God. “Telos” is the Greek output of stars. The value of epsilon controls
word for “goal” or “purpose.” With so many clear the power from the sun and, more sensitively,
instances of purpose that we repeatedly how stars transmute hydrogen into all the
experience in the different parts of the universe, it atoms of the periodic table. Carbon and
is only logical to conclude that there must be a oxygen are common, and gold and uranium
designer that instilled this purpose, God. In the are rare, because of what happens in the
next section, students will learn about the stars. If epsilon were 0.006 or 0.008, human
cosmological forces whose numerical precision life would be impossible.
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The Case for Allah's Existence LESSON PLAN 3
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The Case for Allah's Existence LESSON PLAN 3
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The Case for Allah's Existence LESSON PLAN 3
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The Case for Allah's Existence LESSON PLAN 3
undergird this first premise. No one believes regresses infinitely into the past and has no
that something can pop out of nothing or beginning.
come into existence without a cause, and b. Once time is up, invite students to hold up
that logic applies to the physical universe as the letter card that represents their stance (A
well. for “agree” and B for “disagree”). Call on
various students to express their thoughts,
Premise 2 especially those who want to challenge the
premise.
TEACHER'S NOTE
c. Conclude the discussion by explaining that
The second premise of the kalam cosmological the universe’s finitude is established by a
argument asserts that the universe is temporally finite collection of scientific theories and
and began to exist. Rejecting its finitude leaves us with discoveries. Most notable of these is the Big
a metaphysical quandary in which the universe always Bang Theory, which postulates that, 13.7
existed in an infinite temporal regress of causes and billion years ago, our universe emerged from
without a singular beginning. To illustrate the a singularity--a point of immense density,
metaphysical impossibility of an infinite universe,
gravity, and heat from which the universe
prepare the following visual: on a hard surface, such as
began to form and expand. Play the
a table or a desk, arrange a big handful of dominoes in
a long line so that the final domino is standing on one embedded video to provide students with
edge of the table. The line of dominoes regressing more information on the modern scientific
infinitely represents the sequence of causes preceding theories and discoveries that undergird the
this exact moment in time. universe’s finitude.
7. Direct students to the table on their handout
(3.3). Instruct them to summarize the first two
4. Transition to slide sixteen and pose the
premises of the Kalam cosmological argument
following question: “Imagine that this front
in their own words and to place a checkmark
domino above the tub of water represents this
next to the premises which they believe to be
moment right now. If behind it is an infinite
true. Next, pose the question, “If the first two
number of dominoes stretching back without a
premises are true, then what conclusion
beginning, will this front domino ever fall down?
necessarily follows?” Give students a few
Yes or no?” Students may express their answer
minutes to complete these tasks and then call
by holding up the letter A for “yes” or the letter
on some students to share their take on the
B for “no.”
conclusion.
5. Call on some students to explain the reasoning
behind their stance. Then, click on the Premise 3 [Conclusion]
embedded video to further illustrate the
metaphysical impossibility of an infinite 8. Continue to slide eighteen and read aloud the
universe. conclusion, “Therefore, the beginning of the
existence of the universe must be caused by
6. Continue to slide seventeen and read aloud
something. The only such cause must be an
the second premise, “The universe began to
uncaused cause, or God.”
exist.”
a. Give students two minutes to discuss this
a. Give students two minutes to discuss this concluding premise within their individual
premise with their individual groups. Explain groups. Explain that if they are certain of the
that the alternative to this premise is that the first and second premises, then the truth of
universe has no temporal beginning (i.e., no the conclusion necessarily follows: the
moment of origin that is postulated by the universe must be caused by something that
Big Bang theory); rather the universe exists outside of it, an uncaused cause with
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The Case for Allah's Existence LESSON PLAN 3
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The Case for Allah's Existence LESSON PLAN 3
exists without a beginning, in a causal chain every change in the universe is produced by
that regresses infinitely into the past. In other some cause. The second possibility is that the
words, the universe would go on forever universe created itself. But to have brought itself
without it ever completing. If there were an into existence means that, at one point in time,
infinite number of moments before this the universe existed and didn’t exist
moment, we would, in actuality, never arrive simultaneously. Existing and not existing are two
at this moment in time. contradictory propositions and cannot be true at
d. Created by something uncreated, i.e., God the same time and in the same sense. The third
possibility is that the universe was created by
َؕ ) َﺑ ْﻞ ﱠﻻ ُﻳﻮ ِﻗ ُﻨ: this implies that the denial of
(ۚ ﻮن
another created thing. Believing this would lead
God is baseless and the only plausible to an infinite regress of causes; we would have to
explanation to the universe’s beginning is an ask ad infinitum, “and who created that created
uncreated Creator, i.e., God. thing that caused the universe?” The final
4. Explain the following to the class: possibility is that the universe came into
a. Although the Qur’anic argument refers to the existence from something uncreated, powerful,
human being, it can also be applied to immaterial, and existing outside of time and
anything that began to exist, like the space. In other words, God began the creation of
universe. The term used is khuliqu, which the universe.
means “created,” “made,” or “originated” to
encompass anything and everything that
Consolidation (5 min)
came into being. 1. To conclude the lesson, pass out copies of 3.4
b. The Qur’anic argument for God’s existence “Homework” to students and review the
can be understood without necessarily instructions before dismissal.
referencing scripture. Essentially, it is arguing
the following: the universe is finite. A finite
thing could not have come from nothing; it Homework
could not have created itself or caused itself Pass out a copy of 3.4 “Homework” to each
to exist; nor could it have come from an student. In this assignment, students will continue
infinite sequence of created things. Only the learning about the universe’s fine-tuning and the
final possibility is plausible: the universe was external causes that bring things into existence.
created by something uncreated, i.e., God. Selecting between a visual art piece or a written
5. At the end of the discussion, collect the blog post, students will focus on something in the
handout (3.3) from students as a formative natural world that piques their interest. They will
assessment for the second objective. then research and present the answers to the
Teacher takeaway: The purpose of this section is following questions:
to acquaint students with the Qur’anic basis of 1. What complexities are found in this creation
the Kalam cosmological argument. In just two that are necessary for its existence and the
verses, the Qur’an argues God’s existence from existence of other things around it?
Reductio ad Absurdum; in other words, it 2. What physical law, natural process, or external
presents four possibilities for how the universe cause allows this creation to exist, and what
began and then refutes three of them as absurd does that tell us about the purpose this
or incomprehensible if followed to their logical creation serves?
conclusions. The first possibility is that the 3. What would happen if this particular creation
universe materialized from nothing, without an did not exist or was slightly different in its
external cause to bring it to existence. Such a design?
proposition defies our rational and experiential
understanding of causality, the principle that
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The Case for Allah's Existence LESSON PLAN 3
Stage 3: Assessments
Performance tasks
Formative assessments 3.2, 3.3
1. To formatively assess the first objective, have
students fill out the connection on the bottom
of 3.2 “Guided Notes”. After they have
completed the confetti experiment, explored
what the Qur'an says about seeking our
purpose, and witnessed examples of fine-
tuning in the universe, the students should be
able to draw the connection between them and
demonstrate an understanding of the
teleological argument.
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The Case for Allah's Existence REFERENCES AND RESOURCES
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The Case for Allah's Existence REFERENCES AND RESOURCES
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The Case for Allah's Existence REFERENCES AND RESOURCES
َﻓﺎَٔﺑَ َﻮا ُه ﻳُ َﻬ ﱢﻮ َداﻧِ ِﻪ أَ ْو ﻳُ َﻨ ﱢﺼ َﺮاﻧِ ِﻪ أَ ْو،َﻣﺎ ِﻣ ْﻦ َﻣ ْﻮﻟُﻮ ٍد إِﻻﱠ ﻳُﻮﻟَﺪُ َﻋﻠَﻰ اﻟْ ِﻔﻄْ َﺮ ِة Western Wall: https://www.flickr.com/photos/
َﻫ ْﻞ ﺗُ ِﺤ ﱡﺴﻮنَ ِﻓﻴ َﻬﺎ ِﻣ ْﻦ، ﻛَ َﻤﺎ ﺗُ ْﻨ َﺘ ُﺞ اﻟْ َﺒﻬِﻴ َﻤ ُﺔ ﺑَﻬِﻴ َﻤ ًﺔ َﺟ ْﻤ َﻌﺎ َء،ﻳُ َﻤ ﱢﺠ َﺴﺎﻧِ ِﻪ 20792787@N00/2720247112
َﺟﺪْ َﻋﺎ َء
Praying at the Wall: https://www.flickr.com/
Prophet Muhammad said, “No child is born except photos/94588149@N00/5318705227
upon the fitra, though his parents [may] raise him a
Jew, a Christian, or a Magaian, etc., just as an animal
is born whole—do you see any part of its body Hindu Worship: https://www.flickr.com/photos/
amputated or deformed?” [Bukhari & Muslim] 129651693@N07/16725187255
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The Case for Allah's Existence REFERENCES AND RESOURCES
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