On December 20, 2025, a remarkable public discussion titled “Does God Exist?” took place at the Constitution Club in New Delhi, India. The event featured Mufti Shamail Nadwi, a young and influential Islamic scholar, and Javed Akhtar, a celebrated poet, lyricist, and self-declared atheist. The nearly two-hour debate was broadcast live on YouTube, drawing millions of views and sparking widespread discussion across social media and national platforms. The Observer Post+1
Mufti Shamail Nadwi is widely known for his Islamic scholarship and online presence. He graduated from Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama, a prestigious Islamic institute in Lucknow, India, and is the founder of Markaz Al-Wahyain and the Wahyain Foundation—organizations focused on Islamic education and community outreach. He has gained prominence especially through public talks and intellectual engagements with contemporary issues. Bio Link+1
The Nature of the Debate
The debate was structured as an academic and philosophical exchange, not a religious sermon or a confrontational showdown. It was moderated by journalist Saurabh Dwivedi and designed to maintain civility, mutual respect, and logical presentation from both speakers. NewsGram
Key Arguments from Both Sides
Javed Akhtar’s Position
Javed Akhtar anchored his argument on reason, human experience, and morality. As an atheist, he questioned whether belief in an omnipotent and compassionate God is compatible with the existence of suffering and injustice in the world. He specifically referenced ongoing human tragedies, including war and violence, as challenges to traditional notions of divine benevolence. Akhtar argued that evidence and reason should guide belief, and that faith without empirical foundation is difficult to justify in modern life. Deccan Chronicle
Mufti Shamail Nadwi’s Response
Mufti Shamail Nadwi presented classic philosophical and metaphysical arguments for the existence of God. He invoked the contingency argument—the idea that everything contingent (dependent on something else) points to a necessary Cause beyond the physical universe. He also discussed infinite regression and free will, suggesting that the reality of existence and moral agency points to the necessity of a Creator. Nadwi emphasized that science and religion address different domains: science explains the physical world, but it cannot disprove metaphysical concepts that lie beyond empirical measurement. NewsGram
Public and Online Reaction
The debate quickly spread across platforms beyond YouTube. Clips and discussions circulated widely, with passionate reactions from supporters of both faith and secular reasoning. For many viewers, Nadwi’s calm articulation and engagement with philosophical questions demonstrated that traditional scholarship can interact meaningfully with public intellectual discourse. Others praised Akhtar’s insistence on rational scrutiny and ethical considerations. TheQuint
Commentators noted that the significance of the event went beyond simple question of who was “right”; it highlighted how faith, reason, and public dialogue can coexist in democratic spaces without hostility. The exchange also drew attention to larger discussions happening globally on belief, secular thought, and the place of religion in public life. The Indian Express
Conclusion
The “Does God Exist?” debate between Mufti Shamail Nadwi and Javed Akhtar was more than just a viral YouTube video. It became a moment of intellectual engagement on one of humanity’s oldest questions—bringing together diverse audiences, philosophical reasoning, cultural voices, and public discourse in a spirited yet respectful atmosphere. This event reflects a growing trend of open debate and dialogue on profound questions in the digital age, where ideas are shared, challenged, and explored openly.