In a widely watched debate titled “Does God Exist?”, Islamic scholar Mufti Shamail Nadwi and veteran poet-lyricist Javed Akhtar faced off in New Delhi on Sunday, sparking fresh discussion across South Asia about faith, reason, and belief. The event drew a large audience at the Constitution Club and was live-streamed online, quickly spreading on social media.
The nearly two-hour exchange brought together two sharply contrasting worldviews. Akhtar, a self-described atheist, anchored his argument around human suffering and morality, questioning how an all-powerful, all-merciful God could exist in a world marked by war and pain. He highlighted conflicts like the war in Gaza as a moral challenge to belief in divine justice and mercy. Critics said his remarks were provocative, but his supporters defended his right to raise difficult questions about faith.
Mufti Shamail Nadwi responded by arguing that human free will and moral choice explain much of the suffering in the world. He said that God created humans with the ability to choose good or evil, and that violence and cruelty result from human action rather than divine intent. He also stressed that science and religion operate in different domains and that discussions of metaphysical questions like God’s existence go beyond empirical proof.
Across social media, many viewers felt that Mufti Shamail’s explanations came across as structured and persuasive, especially when he used philosophical points like the idea that the universe suggests a necessary Creator. Some commentators said his reasoning resonated more with audiences looking for coherent arguments supporting belief. Other viewers, including secular thinkers, argued that the debate shifted away from strict logic and became more about broader worldviews.
While neither side produced absolute proof of God’s existence, the debate highlighted enduring tensions between faith and skepticism. For many, Nadwi’s performance was seen as the more convincing defense of belief in God, sparking praise from followers and further online discussion about metaphysics, morality, and the role of faith in public life.
