Awais Iqbal’s Journey Toward Islam: The Final Question After 99% Certainty

A Final Question Before Faith: An Atheist’s Intellectual Journey Toward Islam

In an age where religious debates are often reduced to sound bites and emotional reactions, some conversations still manage to stand out for their depth, sincerity, and intellectual honesty. One such moment is captured in the YouTube video titled “Last Question for Mufti Shumail Before Accepting Islam,” hosted by Awais Iqbal. The video presents a thoughtful reflection by a former atheist who finds himself standing at the edge of a life-altering decision: the acceptance of Islam.

From Atheism to Intellectual Doubt

The host openly identifies himself as a former atheist or mulhid, someone who not only rejected belief in God but also actively promoted atheism through his YouTube channel. However, his worldview was deeply shaken after a public debate held on December 20 in Delhi, where Islamic scholar Mufti Shumail debated renowned writer and rationalist Javed Akhtar on the topic of the existence of God.

According to the host, Mufti Shumail’s arguments were powerful, structured, and logically compelling. He admits that the debate forced him to re-evaluate his long-held beliefs and brought him to a point where he felt “99% ready to leave atheism.” This acknowledgment is significant, especially coming from someone who had built an identity around disbelief.

A Conditional Acceptance of Islam

Following the debate, the host engaged in an in-depth discussion with another Islamic scholar, Imran Mazahari. During this conversation, he made a striking declaration: if his final unresolved question were answered in a logical and intellectually satisfying way, he would not only accept Islam but also shut down his atheism-promoting YouTube channel.

This statement underscores the seriousness of his inquiry. His journey is not emotional or impulsive; it is rooted in reason, consistency, and philosophical clarity. Faith, for him, must align with logic.

The Core Question: Understanding a Non-Physical God

At the heart of the video lies the host’s final and most critical question, one that represents the remaining “1% doubt” preventing his full acceptance of Islam.

Mufti Shumail, like mainstream Islamic theology, describes God as non-physical, beyond matter, space, and human limitations. The host struggles to reconcile this concept with certain religious descriptions found in Islamic texts. He asks:

• If God is non-physical, how can God have hands?
• How can God be described as being above the Throne (Arsh)?
• How can a non-physical being experience anger, happiness, or pleasure?

These questions are not presented mockingly but sincerely. They reflect a classic philosophical challenge: how symbolic or metaphorical descriptions of God should be understood without contradicting the idea of divine transcendence.

Seeking Clarity, Not Victory

Importantly, the host makes it clear that his intention is not to challenge or embarrass Mufti Shumail. His goal is clarity. He wants these questions addressed directly so that the final barrier between skepticism and belief can be removed.

This moment highlights a broader issue within religious discourse: the tension between literal language and metaphysical reality. Many theological traditions, including Islam, have long debated how divine attributes should be understood—whether literally, metaphorically, or in a manner befitting God’s uniqueness beyond human comprehension.

A Reflection of a Larger Debate

The video is more than a personal confession; it represents a wider philosophical and religious struggle faced by many modern thinkers. Questions about God’s nature, attributes, and existence are not new, but they remain deeply relevant in a world shaped by science, materialism, and rational inquiry.

What makes this video compelling is its tone. It is not hostile, sensational, or dismissive. Instead, it captures a moment of genuine intellectual vulnerability—where disbelief is no longer certain, and faith is no longer dismissed outright.

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Conclusion

“Last Question for Mufti Shumail Before Accepting Islam” is a serious and thoughtful exploration of belief at its most critical moment: the point just before surrendering certainty. Whether or not the host ultimately accepts Islam, his journey reflects the power of respectful dialogue, logical argumentation, and honest self-examination.

In a time of polarized debates, this video reminds us that faith and reason do not always stand as enemies—and that sometimes, a single unanswered question can carry the weight of an entire worldview.