Author: Mawlana Abdul Rahman Mu'tasimi
The Phenomenon of Atheism and Ways to Combat It (Part 16)
Sixth: Misunderstanding and Misinterpretation of Certain Religious Issues
Certain religious issues have led to atheism among some individuals due to misunderstandings, misinterpretations, and a lack of comprehensive and accurate knowledge about these topics. In light of the doubts and objections raised by atheists regarding religious matters, various examples of these issues have been highlighted and discussed.
Atheism and Anti-Religious Sentiment in the Islamic World and Its Causes
From the verses of the Holy Quran, it appears that before Islam, there were those who regarded time as the creator of the universe. As stated, «وَ قَالُوا مَا هِيَ إِلَّا حَيَاتُنَا الدُّنْيَا نَمُوتُ وَنَحْيَا وَمَا يُهْلِكُنَا إِلَّا الدَّهْرُ وَمَا لَهُمْ بِذَلِكَ مِنْ عِلْمٍ إِنْ هُمْ إِلَّا يَظُنُّونَ»؛ “And they said, ‘There is nothing but our worldly life; we die and live, and nothing destroys us except time.’ They have no knowledge of that; they are only conjecturing.” Muslims refer to those who believe in time as the creator and attribute events and changes to time as “Dahris.”
After the establishment of the Islamic community, the promotion of atheism among Muslims, influenced by the translation of Indian, Iranian, and Greek philosophy into Arabic and the acceptance of some ideas from Muslim philosophers, led to doubts and uncertainties regarding religion and certain religious issues. These doubts resulted in the emergence of various Islamic sects and groups that deviated from the main path of Islam and its beliefs. Consequently, these sects are often recognized as heretical and deviant.
Among those who have been mentioned are specific individuals who were atheists in the strict sense. For example, Ibn al-Rawandi was initially a Mu’tazili and later became a Shia; after meeting Abu ‘Isa al-Warraq, he became an atheist and abandoned Islam. He is considered one of the most prominent figures of agnosticism.
Abu Bakr al-Razi has been attributed by Orientalists with books and writings that supposedly prove his atheism. However, there are strong and clear doubts regarding the authenticity of these books being linked to Abu Bakr al-Razi.
After the collapse of the Islamic Caliphate and the dominance of Western colonialism over Islamic societies, which imposed governmental systems and human laws, the adoption of French or English laws regarding punishments, interference in foreign policy and economic systems, distancing from Islamic approaches, the closure and destruction of religious schools, and the establishment of scientific centers where only modern sciences and Western philosophy were taught, devoid of Islamic sciences, culture, ethics, and education, extensive efforts were made to promote Western culture and values. During that time, generations were raised who were registered as Muslims but had no awareness of Islam, its ethics, and values, and were carriers of Western thought and culture. They gradually became enamored with Western civilization and became indifferent to Islam and its rulings.
These conditions created a fertile ground for missionary calls, Freemasonry, Orientalism, secularism, communism, and other atheistic movements, which were facilitated by colonizers, to recruit from this so-called educated and intellectual class and ensnare them in the trap of atheism and irreligion.
In fact, this civilizational failure led to the separation of some Muslims from their religion and faith, which is why it is said that colonialism was the opener of the doors to atheism or the father of atheism.
Some Muslim thinkers have written: “The intellectual failure of the youth, admiration for the West, and infatuation with their intellectual and scientific growth are among the factors that have been exploited by atheists and have led to the instillation of doubts in the youth. These doubts include claims of the backwardness of the Islamic Ummah and have described those adhering to the Quran and Sunnah as backward.”
Sheikh Abdul Rahman bin Abdul Khaliq writes in this regard: “The fourth reason that encourages people towards disbelief in Allah (SWT) and moves them towards complete atheism is the accompaniment of material power with atheism; because people saw that Europe did not advance, did not gain material powers, and did not uncover the secrets of life except after it abandoned the thoughts and beliefs of the Church.” A country like Russia did not become a superpower until it declared itself an atheistic nation. People realized that countries still adhering to religion were lagging behind in terms of power and industry. For this reason, they believed that atheism was a sign of strength and knowledge, while religion signified backwardness and ignorance. The tangible benefits of material science, such as the ease of human life and the expansion of comfort and abundance, diverted people from their religious beliefs. They came to regard material science as a new deity that could help them overcome all problems in this regard. Additionally, the association of material science and new discoveries with atheism led people to assume that science was a product and result of atheism. This significant misconception contributed to the spread of atheism.
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