Written by: Muhammad Saleem
Journalist Mubashir Zaidi identifies himself as an agnostic, i.e., someone uncertain about the existence of God. He claims to be on a journey toward truth, considering it a noble pursuit in Islam. Zaidi avoids calling himself an atheist, clarifying that while atheists deny God's existence, agnostics remain in doubt and confusion. He further rejects the compatibility of scientific reasoning with belief in the unseen, while advocating for freedom of thought and mutual respect in disagreement.
Understanding the difference between agnosticism and atheism is essential:
❖ Agnostics say:
"Maybe God exists or maybe not, but we need proof."
→ Will believe if clear evidence is presented.
❖ Atheists say:
"God’s existence is not possible."
→ Deny even the possibility of a creator.
Critical Reflection:
✔ If agnostics base their belief on “proof,” then what qualifies as proof in their view?
✔ If atheists might accept belief upon receiving proof, then the line between atheism and agnosticism blurs.
✔ Big Bang Theory:
– Science asserts that before the Big Bang, there was no time or space.
– But where did the matter that caused the explosion exist, and how?
Inconsistency:
– Science denies creation from nothing,
– Yet accepts Big Bang, which implies something came from nothing.
✔ Theory of Evolution:
– Life supposedly arose from non-living matter,
– Which contradicts science’s own principles.
When confronted with such questions, proponents of science often say:
"We don’t know yet."
❖ Stephen Hawking, in his writings, declared:
“Asking what was before the Big Bang is a wrong question.”
If religion can be questioned, science too must be held to the same standard.
– Science claims natural laws emerged with the universe.
– Hence, the very existence of the universe is miraculous.
Question:
If natural laws did not exist before creation, then how did the universe come into being?
✔ Doubt should lead to cautious investigation, not blanket denial.
Example:
If warned about a swamp ahead, wisdom lies in caution, not in blind dismissal.
→ During uncertainty, proceed with care and continue the search for truth.
✔ Faith in God and engagement in scientific inquiry are not mutually exclusive.
Crucial Question:
"Can man find answers to all his questions before death?"
→ If he dies denying God, the loss could be eternal.
→ If he believes in God while researching, there is no harm even if all answers aren't found.
Science and belief in God can coexist.
When combined, they empower a person to seek truth without risking eternal loss.
✔ Doubt is natural,
✔ But reason and caution must remain intact.
✿ Mubashir Zaidi’s Perspective
Journalist Mubashir Zaidi identifies himself as an agnostic, i.e., someone uncertain about the existence of God. He claims to be on a journey toward truth, considering it a noble pursuit in Islam. Zaidi avoids calling himself an atheist, clarifying that while atheists deny God's existence, agnostics remain in doubt and confusion. He further rejects the compatibility of scientific reasoning with belief in the unseen, while advocating for freedom of thought and mutual respect in disagreement.
✿ Agnostic vs. Atheist: Key Distinctions
Understanding the difference between agnosticism and atheism is essential:
❖ Agnostics say:
"Maybe God exists or maybe not, but we need proof."
→ Will believe if clear evidence is presented.
❖ Atheists say:
"God’s existence is not possible."
→ Deny even the possibility of a creator.
Critical Reflection:
✔ If agnostics base their belief on “proof,” then what qualifies as proof in their view?
✔ If atheists might accept belief upon receiving proof, then the line between atheism and agnosticism blurs.
✿ Scientific Thought, Doubt, and Contradictions
❖ Contradictions in Scientific Narratives
✔ Big Bang Theory:
– Science asserts that before the Big Bang, there was no time or space.
– But where did the matter that caused the explosion exist, and how?
Inconsistency:
– Science denies creation from nothing,
– Yet accepts Big Bang, which implies something came from nothing.
✔ Theory of Evolution:
– Life supposedly arose from non-living matter,
– Which contradicts science’s own principles.
✿ Blind Faith in Science?
When confronted with such questions, proponents of science often say:
"We don’t know yet."
❖ Stephen Hawking, in his writings, declared:
“Asking what was before the Big Bang is a wrong question.”
If religion can be questioned, science too must be held to the same standard.✿ Knowledge, Research, and Belief in the Unseen
❖ Natural Laws & Miracles
– Science claims natural laws emerged with the universe.
– Hence, the very existence of the universe is miraculous.
Question:
If natural laws did not exist before creation, then how did the universe come into being?
✿ The Right Way to Doubt
✔ Doubt should lead to cautious investigation, not blanket denial.
Example:
If warned about a swamp ahead, wisdom lies in caution, not in blind dismissal.
→ During uncertainty, proceed with care and continue the search for truth.
✿ Scientific Reasoning & Belief: Not Opposites
✔ Faith in God and engagement in scientific inquiry are not mutually exclusive.
Crucial Question:
"Can man find answers to all his questions before death?"
→ If he dies denying God, the loss could be eternal.
→ If he believes in God while researching, there is no harm even if all answers aren't found.
✿ Conclusion
Science and belief in God can coexist. When combined, they empower a person to seek truth without risking eternal loss.✔ Doubt is natural,
✔ But reason and caution must remain intact.
