#09: Does God Exist? Analysing the Mufti Shamail vs Javed Akhtar Debate.

Join Maryam Zaka (PhD Islamic Studies) and Ali Zaka as they unpack the viral debate “Does God Exist?” between poet-lyricist and atheist Javed Akhtar and Islamic scholar Mufti Shamail Nadwi. This high-profile, two-hour exchange in New Delhi drew a packed audience and “spilled beyond the hall, sparking sharp reactions online. We’ll break down the key arguments – from Akhtar’s pointed references to human suffering (notably the Gaza conflict) questioning an all-powerful God, to Mufti Shamail’s logical defense (e.g. the contingency argument and a free-will explanation of evil). Along the way, we highlight the viral moments and social buzz: viewers have been sharing clips of Javed’s Gaza remark and Mufti’s famous lines (like *“If you do not know, then do not claim that God does not exist.”), and even joking that “Atheism died yesterday” after the debate.This episode is an accessible yet scholarly discussion of those talking points. We look at how both sides performed – Javed’s passionate, evidence-driven critique of faith and Mufti Shamail’s calm, structured rebuttals – and why *“both atheists and theists thought their champion had carried the day. Drawing on news reports and online commentary, we explore the public reaction: from trending hashtags and memes to standout comments and reaction videos. Influencers and viewers have been posting their own takes (many spinning the debate into YouTube Shorts), and even Javed Akhtar reportedly chimed in on social media. We’ll surface the most telling follow-ups – for example, critics on Reddit calling Mufti’s arguments a “sermon in philosophy” or praising Akhtar’s bold questioning – and analyze the broader themes in play (faith vs. reason, morality without God, science vs. metaphysics, etc.).Whether you’re deeply invested in the faith vs. secularism conversation or just curious about the social media buzz, this podcast will give you the full picture. Maryam and Ali guide you through the highlights of a debate that “triggered intense online debate, polarising views on belief, logic and ethics. Expect engaging examples, clear explanations, and even some humor. Tune in to hear which arguments really hit home, which clips got everyone talking, and what wisdom we can draw from this extraordinary discussionYou can also watch this episode on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/XX-62t51uGk?si=Zq5VSGBZjEy9NMulSubscribe to our YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@prometheans789?si=tkl1FL6cwYFtXTMu