Atheism has emerged as a dangerous phenomenon threatening the Arab and Islamic social fabric on both familial and societal levels, especially over the past decade.
Whereas atheists or those doubting the Muslim creed used to hide their inclinations for fear of criticism and social rejection, they now openly express their beliefs through social media channels and even find channels on TV to explain their new creed and even actively promote it. They now have platforms and other names such as “enlightened thinkers,” where they present their corrupt ideas and find followers, supporters, and defenders despite their weak arguments and lack of logical foundations.
Despite the boldness of some in admitting their atheism, the fear of societal judgment and blame or intellectual persecution makes some conceal their beliefs from people, especially family and close friends. Therefore, it is difficult, despite the increasing number of followers on major atheist pages, to provide a close record of their actual number, especially in the Gulf region where religion is an integral part of the culture, and most Arab and Islamic customs and traditions remain a source of pride among them.
The modern atheism that they promote, which denies the existence of a creator and sustainer of this universe, is a novel concept and not as old as humanity itself. The prophets were sent to people who believed in multiple deities to correct those false beliefs and spread the idea of pure monotheism; the oneness of divinity and lordship. Allah alone deserves worship without any partner, and He is the Creator, Sustainer, Giver of life and death. Allah created man with a sound nature and placed within his heart the need to worship a strong, capable Creator to turn to in times of need. Man alone is weak and cannot bear the idea of his existence in the universe without that power to rely on in times of weakness and need, when he cannot solve his problems alone.
Allah accurately describes the psyche of the atheist who, by nature, believes in the existence of a deity: “And they rejected them, while their [inner] selves were convinced thereof, out of injustice and haughtiness.” (An-Naml: 14)
It is arrogance, stubbornness, and an escape from the divine obligation of worship, responsibility, ethics, and commitment that are the ailments of all forms of disbelief, whether disbelief in Allah, denial of religions while believing in a supreme power, denial of certain religious legislations such as Salah, Zakat, or fasting, or prohibiting adultery and intoxicants, or evading jihad when obligatory.
Reasons for Atheism Becoming a Phenomenon
Family Upbringing:
The family represents the primary source for shaping children's culture. The stronger the family's cohesion and each member's fulfillment of their responsibility towards the others based on divine duty, the stronger the resistance against any external influences that aim to change the Ummah's culture and dissolve youth into foreign cultures. This role extends to educational institutions such as mosques, schools, and universities. The Arab family has relinquished much of its educational role when mothers left to work at the expense of raising their children, monitoring them, and nurturing their minds, hearts, and ideas.
Globalization:
Young people and children are the most affected by globalization and Western cultures due to their exposure to all means of social media and electronic games, which are among the most important tools of globalization to spread its identity, especially in the Islamic world. Those who use these means are essentially non-believers who strive to spread their atheistic ideas, which they consider a great guarantee for continued Western dominance.
This even extends to children's cartoons, some of which are famous in our countries, where families surrender to occupying their children's time and distracting them from busy mothers. An example of this is the famous series “Tinker Bell,” produced by Walt Disney, which portrays fairies as responsible for changing the seasons and managing the movement of the universe. Thus, globalization is a primary reason for spreading atheistic thought amid family absence.
Education:
Education also plays a fundamental role in spreading atheism, especially since religious curricula at different stages are not enough to face a thought whose proponents exert great effort and use various attractive means to control young minds. Public education in Muslim countries is a strong factor for receiving any incoming thought that satisfies the mind and heart.
Another problem with the Arab education system, largely derived from the secular West, is that the curriculum offered to both genders is the same, although the roles assigned to each are different. Here lies the role of the scholars and governments of the Ummah to create shared subjects for study and then specialized subjects for each gender of males and females to satisfy each according to their nature created by Allah, preparing the girl to be the mother of the future, responsible for nurturing men.
Media:
Media is one of the most important and dangerous tools influencing the shaping of public opinion. Anything the media focuses on creates public opinion, and its repetition forms the culture of society, especially if the moral value, belief, or concept is presented in an attractive artistic form to the youth of the Ummah.
Controversial satellite channels have multiplied, presenting forms of art that carry concepts completely contrary to the Ummah's heritage, traditions, and beliefs. Second marriages have become betrayal, atheism has become enlightenment, and deviating from fixed values has become progress.
Most artistic works are superficial, undermining religious moral values, not to mention contaminated programs aired around the clock featuring so-called intellectuals who are, in fact, contaminated with globalization's filth, serving it knowingly or unknowingly.
How Can Islamic Culture Contribute to Combating Atheism?
Atheism revolves in an endless loop around desires, misconceptions, and the false freedom to do whatever one wants to satisfy one's urges without divine or human oversight. These ideas appeal to some youth who have lost their identity due to the loss of a safe family haven.
Combating atheism revolves around confronting foreign culture and conducting a selection process that aligns with the principles of our Islamic religion. Despite the apparent strength of Western culture today, which includes beliefs that contradict religion, the strength of Islam is immense, with various sources encompassing all aspects of human life. It guarantees immense success if fully embraced, encompassing economic, political, and social life, both externally and internally—a complete, comprehensive, renewed, and flexible system suitable for every age without compromising its constants.
A Muslim with a sound creed does not fear confronting any incoming thought, but the fear is for children without proper care. Hence, institutions should be established to create educational satellite channels, develop pages to present Islam correctly, activate the role of mosques, find solutions for working mothers to dedicate themselves to raising their children, and supplement the educational content in schools with suitable materials to prepare mothers and fathers.
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