❖ Atheism and the Crisis of Life’s Purpose ❖
✿ Introduction
Atheism is not merely a rational ideology; if taken as truth, it leads to deeply pessimistic and unsatisfying conclusions about life. According to atheism, life is merely a game—either you win or lose once—and then it ends forever. But is it really justified to view life as just a game?
In this article, we analyze the consequences of the atheistic worldview, which, by denying God and His system of accountability, results in an existential crisis.
❖ No Hope
✔ The Concept of Hope
Hope is the sentiment that gives us positive expectations about the future. We anticipate a good life, health, justice, and prosperity in the Hereafter. If one assumes that life is nothing more than a game and that nothing exists after death, then the very concept of hope is lost.
✔ Atheistic Belief
Atheism denies both God and the accountability of the Hereafter. Consequently, there is no possibility of expecting a better outcome after worldly hardships. For instance, if someone lives in poverty all their life, atheism offers no hope of reward or happiness. In contrast, Islam teaches us that every hardship is a test, and Allah will certainly reward every sorrow in the Hereafter. (See: Chapter 11)
✔ Schopenhauer’s Philosophy
The pessimistic philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer described the bleak realities of an atheistic world as follows:
"We are like sheep unknowingly walking toward our end. Suffering and pain are an inevitable part of life, and they never stop."
✔ Islamic Perspective
According to Islamic teachings, hope is connected to Allah's mercy. The Qur'an assures us that Allah's mercy will manifest in both this world and the next:
"وَلَا تَيْأَسُوا مِن رَّوْحِ اللَّهِ"
(Surah Yusuf, Ayah 87)
❖ No Justice
✔ Absence of Justice
According to atheism, life ends after death, and there is no justice. Imagine Germany in the 1940s: a Jewish woman watches her family being murdered and awaits the gas chamber herself. If there is no afterlife, where is the justice for such victims?
✔ Concept of Justice in Islam
Islam assures us that everyone will receive justice in the Hereafter:
"فَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْرًا يَرَهُ ﴿٧﴾ وَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ شَرًّا يَرَهُ ﴿٨﴾"
(Surah Al-Zalzalah, Ayat 6–8)
❖ No Value or Worth
✔ Atheistic Viewpoint
According to atheism, human beings are nothing more than a collection of matter. If everything is composed of matter, then what difference remains between a human and a snowman? The idea of human dignity and honor is merely an illusion from an atheistic perspective.
✔ Islamic Perspective
In Islam, the worth of a human lies in being a creation of Allah. Allah has honored humans and given them superiority over other creatures:
"وَلَقَدْ كَرَّمْنَا بَنِي آدَمَ"
(Surah Al-Isra, Ayah 70)
❖ No Purpose
✔ Lack of Purpose in Atheism
According to naturalism, we are merely a result of a random accident, and our life has no inherent purpose. The famous philosopher Wittgenstein said:
"I don’t know why we are here, but it’s not to have fun."
✔ Islamic Understanding
Islam provides us with a clear purpose: to worship Allah and seek His pleasure:
"وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ"
(Surah Adh-Dhariyat, Ayah 56)
Worship here includes not only prayer and fasting but every act done for the sake of Allah’s pleasure.
❖ No True Happiness
✔ Limited Happiness in Atheism
Atheism does not provide true happiness, as it fails to answer the fundamental questions of existence: Why are we here? Where are we going? Atheistic happiness is fleeting and deceptive.
✔ The Islamic Concept of Joy
Islam guides us to true happiness, which lies in the recognition and worship of Allah. According to Islamic teachings, the worship of Allah frees us from the slavery of worldly attachments:
"أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ"
(Surah Ar-Ra’d, Ayah 28)
❖ Conclusion: A Comparison Between Atheism and Islam
The atheistic worldview offers no real meaning, value, purpose, or happiness in life. In contrast, Islam provides us with a clear purpose, genuine worth, and hope in the Hereafter. Atheism considers us passengers on a sinking ship, while Islam shows us the path to salvation and success.
