The second point: the evidence and proofs available through pondering on creation (the intellectual evidence):

Knowing Allah is the most superior and most magnificent type of knowledge, for it is the first priority in the Muslim’s life and for the sake of which we have been created. Allah (SWT) says: “I have not created jinns and humans but to worship Me.” (LI: 56) The Book of our Lord has comprehensively, precisely, and extensively detailed and elaborated the Truth of Uluhiyyah, its characteristics and effects, for it is the first great and fundamental truth in the Islamic perspective.[1]

Allah (SWT) has filled the universe with multitudes of visible signs and proofs to highlight the Truth of Monotheism. In His Holy Book, Allah (SWT) orders us to think over these signs and proofs in numerous verses. (The call for intellectual reflection occurs in 184 verses in the Qur’an.)[2] Allah (SWT) says: “Do they not consider the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and whatever things Allah has created, and that the end of their life may be near? What fact would they then believe in after this?” (VII: 185) Allah (SWT) also says: “Now let man but think from what he is created!” (LXXXVI: 5) Allah (SWT) also says: “Let man consider his food.” (LXXX: 24) Allah (SWT) also says: “And (also) in yourselves. Can you then not see?” (LI: 21)

Reflection or pondering is a kind of worship: Allah (SWT) considers looking into His creatures and Kingdom and pondering on them as worshipping Him (SWT). He (SWT) says: “Say: Consider what is it that is in the heavens and the earth.” (X: 101)

The Allah (SWT) ordered His Prophet (peace be upon him) to exhort people to look at what is in the heavens and the earth. When the Noble Verses: “Behold! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day, there are indeed Signs for men of understanding who remember Allah while (they are) standing, sitting, and lying on their sides, and reflect upon the creation of the heavens and the earth, (saying): ‘Our Lord, You have not created all this in vain. Be You glorified. Save us from the retribution of Hell.’” (III: 190-191) Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said: “Woe unto him who reads it and does not ponder on it.”[3] So, this is a cleat call for pondering and reflecting. “The call of the Holy Qur’an for intellectual reflection and reasoning is an obvious unquestionable call, for Islam deems intellectual consideration a religious duty, and practicing intellectual functions a divine obligation and an inevitable responsibility that one cannot get rid of and will be accountable for misusing them.”[4]