Ahmad Kamal, Jamia Ahmadiyya International Ghana
Is it possible that our vast cosmos, with its perfectly balanced and intelligently organised system, is nothing more than the result of chance? Is the intricate and comprehensive system of our universe its own creator?
By simply observing the remarkable structure, inherent perfection and stability of the world, reason itself compels us to recognise the undeniable necessity of a Creator behind such extraordinary creations. The Promised Messiahas discusses the intelligent design of Allah and how we find clues of it everywhere. He states:
“In fact, the extensive pages of nature’s law contain signs so abundant that they clearly demonstrate that God exists. Each and every creation of this universe is like a symbol and signpost, erected at the start of a street or alley, in order to provide information about the name of a certain road, locality or city, guiding a person towards God.
“He is bound to find as each and every creation of this universe is like a symbol and signpost, erected at the start of a street or alley, in order to provide information about the name of a certain road, locality, or city, guiding a person towards God.” (Malfuzat [English], Vol. 1, p. 61)
But there is a condition: we must identify the clues left for us. Only then would we discover that “His name is written in bright letters on each and every leaf of every tree, and across the heavenly bodies.” (Ibid., p. 63)
This article presents a few facts about the wonders of our existence, rhetorically asking whether the finely tuned intricacies of life and the cosmos could indeed be mere coincidences or if they serve as markers left for us by our Creator to recognise him.
1. Could it be a coincidence that the strength of gravity is tuned so precisely that life can exist?
If gravity were slightly stronger or weaker, stars like our sun could not form, and planets capable of sustaining life might never exist. An increase in the strength of gravity by even a small factor would lead to smaller stars burning out too quickly, while a decrease would prevent stars from forming. (Robin Collins, The Teleological Argument: Fine-Tuning of the Universe, pp. 214-215)
2. Could it be a coincidence that the bacterial flagellum is so intricately designed?
The bacterial flagellum is like a tiny motor with a spinning tail that helps bacteria move through water. It has many complex parts, like a rotor, stator, and drive shaft, all working together. If even one part is missing, the motor stops working completely, suggesting it couldn’t have come together by chance. (William A. Dembski, The Design Revolution: Answering the Toughest Questions About Intelligent Design [2004])
3. Could it be a coincidence that biological systems display evidence of intelligent design?
Living organisms contain remarkably sophisticated biological systems that parallel modern technology – from DNA’s information storage (like computer memory) to cellular transport networks (like automated warehouses) to complex feedback mechanisms (like thermostats). Many of these biological systems, such as the intricate blood clotting cascade or the bacterial flagellum’s microscopic motor, require multiple parts working together with precise coordination, leading some to conclude that such refined complexity must stem from intelligent design rather than unguided natural processes. (Ibid.)
4. Could it be a coincidence that Earth’s plate tectonics act as a thermostat to regulate the climate?
Earth’s plate tectonics act as a natural thermostat, regulating the planet’s climate by cycling carbon dioxide between the atmosphere, oceans, and crust. When atmospheric carbon dioxide rises, it leads to warmer temperatures and increased weathering of rocks, which pulls CO₂ out of the atmosphere.
This weathered material is eventually subducted into the earth’s mantle through plate tectonics, where it can be stored for millions of years. When atmospheric CO₂ levels drop, volcanic activity from tectonics releases it back into the atmosphere, preventing the earth from cooling too much. (Peter D. Ward & Donald Brownlee, Rare Earth: Why Complex Life Is Uncommon in the Universe [2000], p. 194)
5. Could it be a coincidence that natural processes consistently produce patterns that mirror intentional design?
Patterns found in nature, such as Fibonacci sequences and fractals, reflect a remarkable level of order and precision that suggests intentionality rather than randomness. The Fibonacci sequence, where each number is the sum of the two preceding ones, appears in sunflower seeds, pinecones, and spiral shells, optimising structures for growth and resource distribution.
Similarly, fractals, which are complex geometric shapes that repeat at every scale, can be observed in snowflakes, tree branches, and river networks. These natural designs, with their elegance and functionality, raise the question of whether such patterns could arise purely by chance or indicate an underlying intelligent design. (William A. Dembski, The Design Revolution: Answering the Toughest Questions About Intelligent Design [2004])
6. Could it be a coincidence that DNA stores information using a precise, digital-like code?
DNA stores information using a precise, digital-like code of nucleotide bases, which function like letters in a language or symbols in computer code, as explained by Crick’s sequence hypothesis. This arrangement conveys specific instructions for building proteins which are essential for life.
The comparison to human-generated information suggests that meaningful and complex sequences, in human experience, always originate from intelligent activity. This analogy implies that DNA’s information-rich structure may point to an intelligent cause, aligning with the theory of intelligent design. (Stephen C. Meyer, Signature in the Cell: DNA and the Evidence for Intelligent Design [2009])
7. Could it be a coincidence that the cosmological constant is so finely balanced to allow for a life-permitting universe?
The cosmological constant is a term in Einstein’s equations that represents the energy density of empty space, or “dark energy,” which influences the universe’s rate of expansion. Its value is extraordinarily fine-tuned to allow the universe to support life.
If the cosmological constant were slightly larger and positive, the universe would expand too rapidly, preventing the formation of galaxies, stars, and planets. On the other hand, if it were slightly negative, the universe would collapse back on itself before structures could form. This delicate balance allows the universe to expand at just the right rate, creating the stable conditions necessary for complex life to develop. (Robin Collins, The Teleological Argument: Fine-Tuning of the Universe, The Blackwell Reader in Natural Theology, pp. 214-215)
8. Could it be a coincidence that earth’s plate tectonics recycle carbon, stabilising the planet’s climate?
Earth’s plate tectonics plays a key role in the carbon cycle, which helps keep our planet’s climate stable. Plants and tiny ocean creatures absorb carbon dioxide from the air and use it to grow. When these organisms die, their remains settle on the ocean floor as carbon-rich material. Over time, this material gets pulled deep into the earth by plate movements. Eventually, volcanic eruptions release this carbon back into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. This natural recycling system helps regulate carbon levels and keeps earth’s climate balanced. (Guillermo Gonzalez and Jay W. Richards, The Privileged Planet: How Our Place in the Cosmos is Designed for Discovery [2004], p. 56)
9. Could it be a coincidence that Earth’s Moon produces tides that regulate marine life and climate?
The moon also assists life by raising the earth’s ocean tides. The tides mix nutrients from the land with the oceans, creating fertile intertidal zones where land and sea interact. These tides also drive strong ocean currents that help regulate Earth’s climate by circulating heat across the globe. Without the Moon, tides would be much weaker, and Earth’s climate and marine ecosystems would be significantly different, potentially less stable and supportive of life (Ibid., p. 6)
10. Could it be a coincidence that Jupiter protects Earth by deflecting dangerous comets and asteroids?
Jupiter also played a crucial role in purging the inner solar system of bodies left over from planet formation. Jupiter is 318 times more massive than Earth, and it exerts enormous gravitational influence. Its gravitational interactions very efficiently scatter bodies that approach it, and it has largely cleaned out stray bodies from a large volume of the solar system. The current impact rate averages one 10-kilometre body every 100 million years. Without Jupiter, the flux of these 10-kilometre bodies hitting Earth might be 10,000 times higher. (Peter D. Ward and Donald Brownlee, Rare Earth: Why Complex Life Is Uncommon in the Universe [2000], p. 238)
11. Could it be a coincidence that Earth’s core generates a magnetic field that protects life from harmful solar radiation?
Earth’s core generates a magnetic field that shields the planet from harmful solar radiation. This protection prevents dangerous particles from reaching the surface and helps keep the atmosphere in place, making life possible. Without our magnetic field, earth and its cargo of life would be bombarded by a potentially lethal influx of cosmic radiation and solar wind “sputtering” might slowly eat away at the atmosphere, as it has on Mars. (Ibid., p. 194)
12. Could it be a coincidence that Earth’s early oceans had just enough carbon to enable life without causing a runaway greenhouse effect?
Earth’s early oceans contained just enough carbon to support the development of life while avoiding a runaway greenhouse effect. If the carbon levels had been much higher, earth’s atmosphere could have resembled Venus’s, with extreme greenhouse heating making the planet uninhabitable.
Similarly, the planet’s water levels were also perfectly balanced; if there had been significantly more water, the earth might have become entirely covered by deep oceans, limiting the availability of shallow regions necessary for the chemical interactions that support life. (Ibid., p. 51)
13. Could it be a coincidence that Earth’s atmosphere evolved to provide enough oxygen for complex life at the right time?
Earth’s atmosphere evolved to support complex life through a slow process driven by biological and geological changes. Early photosynthetic organisms released oxygen, but it was absorbed by other substances, like volcanic gases and iron in the earth’s crust. Over time, these substances were used up, allowing oxygen to build up in the atmosphere. This increase in oxygen eventually created the conditions needed for complex life to develop. (Ibid., pp. 117-118)
14. Could it be a coincidence that Earth’s Moon is just the right size and distance to create perfect solar eclipses?
The Moon is the perfect size and distance to create total solar eclipses. It appears the same size as the Sun in the sky because it is 400 times smaller but also 400 times closer. This alignment allows the Moon to completely block the Sun’s bright surface during an eclipse, making the Sun’s outer atmosphere visible. (Guillermo Gonzalez and Jay W. Richards, The Privileged Planet: How Our Place in the Cosmos is Designed for Discovery [2004], p. 9)
15. Could it be a coincidence that Earth’s position in the galaxy minimises dangerous cosmic radiation?
Earth’s location in the Milky Way galaxy contributes significantly to its habitability. Situated in the Galactic Habitable Zone, far from the intense radiation of the galaxy’s centre and active regions, earth avoids high-energy events such as gamma-ray bursts, supernovae, and the harmful radiation emitted from an active galactic nucleus. The combination of being in the thin disk of the galaxy, away from the bulge and spiral arms, helps shield Earth from frequent radiation threats, creating a relatively stable and safe environment for complex life to thrive. (Ibid., p. 282)
16. Could it be a coincidence that the earth’s atmosphere contains the precise balance of oxygen and nitrogen for advanced life?
Earth’s atmosphere has the right mix of nitrogen and oxygen to support advanced life. This balance allows large organisms to breathe oxygen while ensuring the planet’s environment remains stable and suitable for life. Nitrogen and oxygen are balanced to sustain advanced organisms, while carbon dioxide and water vapour help maintain a stable climate and enable plant growth. (Ibid., p. 68)
17. Could it be a coincidence that the laws of physics are discoverable due to the earth’s optimal location for scientific observation?
Earth’s optimal location in the universe contributes significantly to scientific discovery. Its atmosphere is clear, allowing observation of distant celestial bodies, while its position in the galaxy avoids regions of intense radiation and cosmic chaos. This favourable environment enables scientists to study and measure the universe, from the fundamental forces to distant galaxies, making it possible to uncover the laws of physics that govern the cosmos (Ibid., p. XV)
18. Could it be a coincidence that overlapping genetic messages within DNA resemble advanced encryption techniques?
DNA stores information in a very efficient way, using overlapping sequences to hold multiple instructions in the same space. This is like how advanced encryption methods in technology work, where a single code can have multiple layers of meaning depending on how it’s interpreted. This complexity suggests a highly advanced system that some argue is unlikely to have arisen through random processes alone, hinting at the possibility of intentional design behind it. (Stephen C. Meyer, Signature in the Cell: DNA and the Evidence for Intelligent Design [2009], epilogue)
19. Could it be a coincidence that DNA stores dense, functional information within a hierarchically organised system?
DNA stores dense, functional information within a hierarchically organised system, much like computer file systems, where data is arranged in folders within folders to optimise retrieval, manipulation, and expression. This hierarchical organisation, along with the extraordinary storage density of the genome, suggests intentional design due to its resemblance to human-engineered systems. (Ibid.)
20. Could it be a coincidence that the Big Bang’s density was finely balanced?
The density of the universe at the time of the Big Bang was extraordinarily fine-tuned to allow for the formation of galaxies, stars, and planets necessary for life. This density had to be accurate to within one part in 1060; a slight deviation would have caused the universe to either collapse back on itself (a “Big Crunch”) or expand too rapidly, preventing the formation of structures. This precise balance ensured the universe expanded at a rate conducive to forming stars and galaxies over billions of years. (Robin Collins, The Teleological Argument: Fine-Tuning of the Universe, pp. 214-215)
The late astronomer Carl Sagan wrote that, “Earth seems to be sitting in a beam of light, as if there were some special significance to this small world. But it’s just an accident of geometry and optics.” (Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space [1994], p. 12)
Yet, this notion of our planet as a mere cosmic coincidence falls short of the truth. When we look deeper, the evidence around us reveals a world that is anything but an accident. The intricate balance of conditions necessary for life and the very framework of the universe itself points towards an intelligent Creator who has left His mark for us to see.
From the precise mass and energy of the sun to the stabilising role of our moon, everything seems carefully designed to sustain life. Creation itself is full of such leads, written across every leaf, every star, and every corner of the cosmos as explained by the Promised Messiahas, inviting us to recognise the presence of the Creator because our creator might be subtle, but malicious he is not.
