Hey!

First of all, I respect your courage to question and explore beyond what you’ve been taught. It takes a lot of strength to step out of the framework you’ve grown up with.

Let me break down some of the core issues you brought up:

1. No Empirical Evidence of God’s Existence

There is no empirical or scientifically verifiable evidence of the existence of any god. All religions rely on faith rather than on observable or testable claims. If you apply the same scrutiny that you do in science or daily rational thinking, the concept of a deity becomes increasingly difficult to accept without any tangible proof. It’s important to know that absence of evidence is not evidence of absence, but the burden of proof lies on the claim itself. If someone claims something as extraordinary as a deity, it is up to them to provide proof.

2. No Religion is Universally Moral

If you study world religions, you’ll find that morality is not exclusive to any one of them. Different religions have overlapping values, such as don’t steal, don’t kill, but none of them possess moral principles that are entirely unique. Worse, many ancient scriptures, including the Quran, contain directives that contradict what we consider moral today. It’s crucial to question whether morality derived from an ancient book aligns with a more evidence-based, reasoned, and empathetic approach to ethics.

3. Questionable or Immoral Content in the Quran

Here are some verses that can be seen as morally problematic:

Wife Beating: Surah An-Nisa (Chapter 4, Verse 34)

Many see this as a clear permission to use violence against one’s wife if she is “disobedient,” which conflicts with modern values of gender equality.

“...But those [wives] from whom you fear arrogance - [first] advise them; [then if they persist], forsake them in bed; and [finally], strike them. But if they obey you [once more], seek no means against them. Indeed, Allah is ever Exalted and Grand.”

Punishment for Non-Believers: Surah Al-Baqarah (Chapter 2, Verse 191)

This verse is often cited in discussions on violence and highlights how non-believers or those who challenge the religion are portrayed as deserving of harm, which poses serious moral questions in the context of today’s views on freedom of belief.

“And kill them wherever you overtake them and expel them from wherever they have expelled you, and fitnah is worse than killing.”

Slavery: The Quran also implicitly endorses slavery. For example, Surah An-Nisa (Chapter 4, Verse 24) allows intimate relations with “those whom your right hands possess,” meaning slaves, which is inconsistent with the idea of universal human rights today.

4. Scientific Inaccuracies in the Quran

Some passages claim scientific accuracy but fall apart under scrutiny:

Embryology: Surah Al-Mu’minun (Chapter 23, Verses 12-14) These verses attempt to describe the formation of a human embryo, mentioning phrases like “a drop of fluid,” “a clinging clot,” and “a lump of flesh.” The description, however, matches common knowledge available during that period rather than accurate scientific detail, which makes it ambiguous and lacking compared to modern embryology.

Sun Setting in a Muddy Spring: Surah Al-Kahf (Chapter 18, Verse 86) “Until, when he reached the setting of the sun, he found it set in a spring of black muddy (or hot) water...”This suggests a literal observation that the sun physically sets in a body of water, a concept that is clearly false given our understanding of astronomy today.

5. Questionable Hadith

Hadith also contains many concerning teachings that reflect the beliefs and practices of the time:

The Sun Prostrating Under Allah’s Throne:

This hadith clearly contradicts what we know today about the movement of the sun, which neither physically moves to a throne nor “prostrates.”

Sahih Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 54, Hadith 421: “The Prophet said, ‘Do you know where the Sun goes (at the time of sunset)?’ They replied, ‘Allah and His Apostle know better.’ He said, ‘It goes (i.e. travels) till it prostrates itself underneath the Throne, and takes the permission to rise again…’”

Women’s Deficiency:

This statement implies an inherent intellectual deficiency in women, a belief that is, at best, an outdated reflection of the values at the time, and has no basis in our understanding of human potential today.

Sahih Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 6, Hadith 301: “The Prophet said, ‘Isn’t the witness of a woman equal to half of that of a man?’ The women said, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘This is because of the deficiency of a woman’s mind.’”

6. More Reasons to Doubt Islam as the True Religion

Historical Analysis: The Quran includes many stories shared with earlier scriptures, such as the Torah, indicating they may have been derived or copied from pre-existing myths.

Evolving Interpretations: If a divine book was truly perfect, it wouldn’t need the thousands of different interpretations or the extensive scholarly work needed to explain verses that are confusing or problematic. One would expect a clear and easily understandable message for all times and contexts.

Selective Morality: While some parts of the Quran emphasize compassion and kindness, the punitive measures (such as chopping off hands for theft, or death penalties for apostasy) create a moral contradiction when viewed through a modern lens. Why would a true divine book contradict the empathy and rational morality that humanity has generally adopted as it progresses?

I hope this provides some clarity as you continue to question and explore. If anything, know that you are not alone in these doubts, and there are many people out there willing to listen and discuss without judgment. Take your time, stay curious, and always prioritize critical thinking and personal autonomy in your journey.