exMuslim SABIRALI

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The Spread of Islam: Fact or Fiction?

Momins often assert that Islam is spreading rapidly, claiming that crores of people are embracing the faith each year. However, this raises an important question: Is Islam genuinely spreading quickly, or is it experiencing a decline? In today’s video, we will fact-check these assertions. Many believers find it hard to fathom that a Muslim could choose to leave Islam, yet we will explore the percentage of Muslims worldwide who have done just that, particularly focusing on the percentage of ex-Muslims in India.

The Diversity of Beliefs Across Religions

Across the globe, there are dozens of large and small religions, each with thousands of beliefs in supernatural forces represented by numerous sects and societies. Adherents of these religions tend to view their own beliefs as the ultimate truth. However, unlike other faiths, Islam uniquely enforces a compulsion to adhere to its doctrines. While the world progresses rapidly, sometimes at the speed of a bullet train, Islam appears to be lagging, akin to a bullock cart operating in reverse. Many are aware of the severe consequences for those deemed Mushrik, Murthid, Mulhid, or Kafir within Islamic teachings.

Safety Concerns for Apostates

In today’s world, polytheists and non-believers often find safety, whereas apostates or atheists do not share the same security. Despite the genuine fears associated with leaving the faith, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of ex-Muslims globally. In recent years, numerous channels featuring ex-Muslims have emerged in India, with live debates occurring on about 10-12 channels. Ex-Muslims are even participating in discussions on national news outlets. Some Maulanas have claimed that up to 23-24% of Muslim youth in America have abandoned their faith, attributing this shift to an impending "tsunami" of ex-Muslims. This claim is often supported by data from the PEW Research Center, a reputable survey organization whose findings are deemed accurate up to 95%.

Data from PEW Research Center

According to a 2014 survey from the PEW Research Center, 23% of adult Muslims in America had left Islam, a figure that increased to 24% in a subsequent 2017 survey. Notably, 55% of those who departed from Islam did not affiliate with any other religion, while 22% became Christians and 21% embraced various religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, and Judaism. It is significant to note that by 2017, a comparable number of non-Muslims had embraced Islam as the number of Muslims who had left the faith in America, suggesting that disillusioned Muslims became aware of Islam's realities while non-Muslims were unaware of its complexities. Similar trends of Muslims leaving Islam have been observed in Western and European countries.

The State of Islam in Arab Countries

Let us now turn our focus to Islamic nations. WIN/Galup International, a notable survey agency, conducted a survey revealing that 5% of Muslims in Saudi Arabia identified as atheists, while 19% classified themselves as non-religious. Furthermore, 22% of Muslims in Arab countries expressed doubts about Islam. In response to this alarming data, the Saudi government enacted a law in 2014 equating atheism with terrorism, with severe punishments, including death, for those who question the fundamental tenets of Islam. This reflects a profound fear within the faith about the challenges it faces. Given the currents of the last decade, any recent surveys might further destabilize the perception of Islam’s strength.

Growing Doubts in Iran

Iran, an Islamic country, also displays signs of individuals seeking to free themselves from Islamic constraints. This was notably evidenced during the anti-hijab movement. A survey conducted by Gamaan found that approximately 78% of respondents believed in a creator, while only 37% believed in life after death, indicating that 63% did not. About 30% acknowledged belief in heaven and hell, implying that 70% do not. Additionally, 28% of Muslims adhered to Islamic practices, whereas 72% did not, and 26% believed in jinn, leaving 74% who did not. Approximately 20% identified as atheists, leading to the distressing conclusion that 50-60 million of Iran's 90 million Muslims may not actually adhere to Islam.

Survey Findings from Arab Barometer

The Arab Barometer, a well-known survey agency examining affairs in the Middle East, conducted a study in 2013 across 11 Arab countries, which host a Muslim population of around 360 million. In the original survey, 8% identified as non-religious, a figure that increased to 13% by 2018-2019. This indicates that roughly 48 million Muslims in this population do not consider themselves adherents of Islam. The rise represents a significant trend in just a few years.

Analyzing Surveys of Muslim Beliefs

PEW Research Center engaged in a significant survey in 2013 that encompassed 39 countries, home to 65% of the world’s Muslim population. Among the Muslims from 23 countries, questions regarding the perceived conflicts between Islam and science were posed. We will specifically highlight the findings from five countries—Turkey, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Pakistan—where the total Muslim population exceeds 700 million. The results from these inquiries are critical for understanding the broader context of belief and doubt within the Islamic world.

Muslim's Claim-that Islam is growing Fast: Fact Check