When we examine the global intellectual landscape under current conditions, the inclination toward atheism and a non-religious lifestyle is also confirmed by authoritative global research reports. According to various reports by the Pew Research Center, particularly their long-term projections regarding the future of religion, although the absolute number of traditional religious adherents is increasing, the proportion of those identifying as non-religious (Atheist, Agnostic, or "Nothing in Particular") is growing rapidly in developed regions (such as Western Europe, North America, and parts of East Asia). For example, in the United States, the share of non-religious individuals (the "Nones"), which was very low in the past, has now reached close to a third of the population. Similarly, in many European countries, the majority no longer consider themselves traditionally affiliated with any religion. Furthermore, various surveys by global research organizations indicate that religious affiliation graphs are continuing to decline, particularly among the younger generation (Gen Z), presenting a profound intellectual challenge.
Undoubtedly, guidance rests with Allah, but His established principle is that He grants success to those who strive. As for those who deny God, in a sense, their inward quest to recognize Him is often deeper than that of the majority of traditional believers. The deficiency lies solely in our failure to convince them logically and intellectually, and our inability to explain to them those signs of Allah through which human intellect can recognize Him.
Therefore, this responsibility primarily falls upon all those religions whose foundations rest upon revealed scriptures: to keep the arguments for God's existence alive against the impression of their declining influence in the world. In this era, an extremely vital additional responsibility rests upon the followers of revealed books, and current circumstances strongly demand that they unite upon common values, transcending their mutual differences. On the truths of God's existence and His scriptures, they must unify under every circumstance to adopt a comprehensive, universal, and well-reasoned stance in their defense, pooling all their intellectual and scholarly capabilities for this supreme objective. If they claim absolute and unquestionable certainty in their belief in God, then the very demand of this claim is that no human being should rationally remain a denier of God's existence.
Even if any denier of God were to remain in the world, it would be solely on the basis of their stubbornness; otherwise, at the level of argumentation, if any neutral human being were to listen to both sides, the arguments of those who believe in God should carry such weight and truth that, in terms of human intellect and sagacity, their scale always remains heavier.
When we look at the global perspective, in regions of the world where rigid majority-ruled governments or societal systems of certain religions are enforced (such as parts of the Middle East with Muslim majorities or other religious regions), non-believers (atheists and deniers) are not granted basic protection under law and constitution, let alone at the societal level. In these domains, states and societies, instead of acting as protectors of their lives, freedom of expression, and rights, sometimes resort to harsh punishments, social boycotts, and coercion against them.
I consider this to be the ultimate sign of intellectual weakness among believers. Those who lack the capacity to respond to this intellectual challenge on the basis of knowledge have no right to boast about their learning and faith.
Furthermore, the question arises: under what logic does anyone earn the right to take the life of a denier of God’s existence, especially when such a person appears incapable of fulfilling the demands of their own religious teachings?
The true demand of faith and conviction is that a believer must possess not only the ability to defend their faith, but also the capacity to persuade others according to the standards of human reason and consciousness, leaving no stone unturned in deploying these capabilities.
Moreover, the demand of justice is that, despite all efforts and even while considering oneself to be in the right, one must remain a living masterpiece of God’s ethics—the very ethics of that God who, according to His own decree, continuously provides all sustenance and necessities of life even to those who deny His existence.
When Allah has regulated the system of this universe under immutable laws (except for certain special bounties He promised to the faithful), what right do believers have to strip non-believers of their freedom, freedom of expression, or right to life?