Written by: Dr. Zubair
The very contemplation of this question brings to mind numerous verses of the Qur’an that affirm denial of God is not a valid excuse. Islam offers comprehensive clarification and emphasis on this point: belief in God is inherent in human nature, and it is a truth that cannot be ignored or denied.
In a narration from Sahih Muslim, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
"Whoever among the Jews and Christians hears of me but does not believe in me before dying, he shall be among the people of Hell."
This hadith makes it evident that once the truth is made clear to a person, and they still refuse to believe, they can no longer offer any excuse.
It is similar to a person being given eyes by God yet claiming they cannot see due to dust, while others around them are clearly perceiving their surroundings. The problem lies not in the eyes but in the heart that refuses to accept the truth. Surah Al-Muddathir (verses 11 to 31) also points to this notion—that denial stems from a weakness of the heart rather than a lack of evidence.
Allah has created every human being upon a natural disposition (fitrah), and in Islamic teachings, fitrah refers to Islam. Every human has the innate capacity to recognize the truth, just as they perceive physical reality through their eyes and ears. Once the message of the Prophets reaches someone, no excuse remains valid. As the Qur’an states:
"رُسُلاً مُبَشِّرِينَ وَمُنذِرِينَ لِئَلَّا يَكُونَ لِلنَّاسِ عَلَى اللَّهِ حُجَّةٌ بَعْدَ الرُّسُلِ"
Translation: "Messengers as bearers of glad tidings and as warners, so that mankind should have no argument against Allah after the messengers."
In this modern era, the Qur’an is accessible to all, translated into many languages and available through digital means. Hence, claiming ignorance of God’s message is no longer a legitimate excuse.
If we were to accept that denial of God could be considered a valid excuse, then we would also have to accept the various environmental influences that lead people to sin as valid justifications. In today’s age of widespread immorality and indecency, it may be difficult for a youth to abstain from adultery, yet society still holds him accountable. Similarly, denying God is a symptom of inner weakness, not a defensible excuse.
① Denial of God is not a valid excuse according to the Qur’an and Hadith.
② Every human is born upon fitrah and possesses the capacity to recognize the truth.
③ Once the message of the Prophets reaches a person, no justification remains.
④ In today’s world, with widespread access to the Qur’an and Islamic knowledge, ignorance or inaccessibility of the truth is not a valid reason.
❖ Is Denial of God a Valid Excuse in Modern Times?
The very contemplation of this question brings to mind numerous verses of the Qur’an that affirm denial of God is not a valid excuse. Islam offers comprehensive clarification and emphasis on this point: belief in God is inherent in human nature, and it is a truth that cannot be ignored or denied.
❖ In Light of Prophetic Hadith
In a narration from Sahih Muslim, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
"Whoever among the Jews and Christians hears of me but does not believe in me before dying, he shall be among the people of Hell."
This hadith makes it evident that once the truth is made clear to a person, and they still refuse to believe, they can no longer offer any excuse.
❖ Weakness of the Heart and Denial of Reality
It is similar to a person being given eyes by God yet claiming they cannot see due to dust, while others around them are clearly perceiving their surroundings. The problem lies not in the eyes but in the heart that refuses to accept the truth. Surah Al-Muddathir (verses 11 to 31) also points to this notion—that denial stems from a weakness of the heart rather than a lack of evidence.
❖ The Argument from Natural Disposition (Fitrah)
Allah has created every human being upon a natural disposition (fitrah), and in Islamic teachings, fitrah refers to Islam. Every human has the innate capacity to recognize the truth, just as they perceive physical reality through their eyes and ears. Once the message of the Prophets reaches someone, no excuse remains valid. As the Qur’an states:
"رُسُلاً مُبَشِّرِينَ وَمُنذِرِينَ لِئَلَّا يَكُونَ لِلنَّاسِ عَلَى اللَّهِ حُجَّةٌ بَعْدَ الرُّسُلِ"
Translation: "Messengers as bearers of glad tidings and as warners, so that mankind should have no argument against Allah after the messengers."
❖ No Excuse in Today's Age for Missing the Truth
In this modern era, the Qur’an is accessible to all, translated into many languages and available through digital means. Hence, claiming ignorance of God’s message is no longer a legitimate excuse.
❖ Comparing Denial of God to Excuses for Sin
If we were to accept that denial of God could be considered a valid excuse, then we would also have to accept the various environmental influences that lead people to sin as valid justifications. In today’s age of widespread immorality and indecency, it may be difficult for a youth to abstain from adultery, yet society still holds him accountable. Similarly, denying God is a symptom of inner weakness, not a defensible excuse.
✦ Summary
① Denial of God is not a valid excuse according to the Qur’an and Hadith.
② Every human is born upon fitrah and possesses the capacity to recognize the truth.
③ Once the message of the Prophets reaches a person, no justification remains.
④ In today’s world, with widespread access to the Qur’an and Islamic knowledge, ignorance or inaccessibility of the truth is not a valid reason.
