The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam — Page 94
88 The second proof of the existence of God that the Holy Quran has set forth is that God is the ultimate cause of all causes, as it is said: 116 وَأَنَّ إِلى رَبِّكَ الْمُنْتَهى That is, if we observe carefully we find that the entire universe is bound together in a system of cause and effect. This system is at the root of all knowledge. No part of creation is outside this system. Some things are the roots of others and some are branches. A cause may be primary or may be the effect of another cause, and that in its turn may be the effect of still another cause, and so on. Now, it is not possible that in this finite world this pattern of cause and effect should have no limit and should be infinite. We are compelled to acknowledge that it must terminate with some ultimate cause. The ultimate cause is God. Open your eyes and see that the verse 117, وَاَنَّ إلى رَبِّكَ الْمُنْتَهى sets forth this argument very concisely and affirms that the system of cause and effect terminates in God. Another proof of Divine existence set forth in the 116. And that to your Lord do all things ultimately go; (The Holy Quran, an- Najm 53:43) 117. And that to your Lord do all things ultimately go; (The Holy Quran, an- Najm 53:43)