ENGLISH-ISLAMIC RESPONSES TO ATHEISM: RATIONAL ARGUMENTS FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD

Abstract

This study explores the Islamic reaction to atheism by outlining Muslim scholars and philosophers’ theistic rational techniques to atheism. This is done through the lens of the modern contemporary context of atheism and its prominent supporters, as well as the intellectual onslaught against religion in the modern world. It showcases the Islamic tradition of the integration of rational thought (‘aql) and revelation (naql), aligning the two as pillars of faith in Islamic scholarly tradition. This systematically examines the core rational arguments of Islamic theology, including: the fitrah (innate disposition), cosmological, teleological (design), moral, and ontological (necessity) arguments. Each argument is discussed with Qur’anic verses, Hadith literature, classical and contemporary thought, and relevant philosophy. Moreover, criticisms from the arguments, including Islamic counter rebuttals, materialism, scientific naturalism, and philosophical skepticism, are examined with the Islamic theological responses. In addition to English, the study presents respondents from Islamic populations, which analyzed Islamic approaches in the context of other Abrahamic religions within Islamic discourse with responses to atheism from Christianity and Judaism. Focus is given to the Islam tradition’s atheistic importance in blending faith and logic, the blend of rational thought and divine revelation, and its pure form of monotheism, tawhid. The paper showcases Islam’s approach to atheistic rationalism as sophisticated, historically sensitive, and well-engaged with modern critique. In articulating such arguments, Islamic scholars reinforce that belief in God does not stem from a haphazard, uninformed conviction, but rather, a rational, intellectually sound, and well-reasoned belief answering existence’s most profound inquiries. The study provides a concluding section presenting prospective research in philosophy and science, alongside the interaction with modern philosophy and the examination of classical interlaced.