Who is Mufti Shamail Nadwi? The latest ‘Zakir Naik on the bloc’, under the spotlight after viral God debate with Javed Akhtar and his record of supremacist, exclusionary rhetoric

Mufti Shamail Nadwi recently sparked national controversy after a high-profile public debate with veteran poet and lyricist Javed Akhtar on the topic, “Does God exist?” The discussion took place at the Constitution Club in New Delhi on Saturday, 20th December, and quickly became one of the most talked-about intellectual events of the month. Moderated by journalist Saurabh Dwivedi, editor of The Lallantop, the nearly two-hour-long debate drew a packed audience and soon spilt beyond the hall onto social media, where clips and quotes were widely shared. While supporters on both sides praised the exchange as a rare face-off between faith and reason, critics argued that it exposed deeper ideological divides, especially given Nadwi’s past statements and public positions. Nadwi, an Islamist and online preacher, began by arguing that neither science nor religious scripture alone could be used as a common yardstick to prove or disprove God’s existence. Science, he said, is limited to studying the physical world, while God is by definition beyond physical measurement. Religious texts, he added, cannot convince those who do not already accept revelation as a source of knowledge. Instead, Nadwi relied on philosophy, presenting what he called the “contingency argument.” According to him, the universe depends on causes and therefore cannot explain its own existence. This, he claimed, logically points to the existence of a “necessary being” that is eternal, independent, intelligent and powerful. Using examples of design and order in nature, Nadwi argued that the precise laws governing the universe suggest intention rather than random chance. He rejected the idea that scientific discoveries eliminate the need for God, saying science explains how the universe works, not why it exists. Javed Akhtar’s sharp counter and a heated exchange Javed Akhtar, known for his outspoken rationalist views, pushed back strongly. He questioned the durability of religious belief and pointed out that many gods worshipped by ancient civilisations, Greek, Roman and Egyptian, were once believed in with absolute certainty, yet are now seen as mythology. “Gods change with time,” Akhtar said, arguing that belief systems evolve as human understanding grows. He cited the decline of organised religion in parts of Europe as evidence that faith is not fixed or eternal. Akhtar drew a clear line between belief and faith. Belief, he said, rests on evidence, reason and testimony, while faith demands acceptance without proof. “When there is no evidence, no logic and no witness, and you are still asked to believe, that is faith,” he said, adding that unquestioning faith discourages critical thinking. The exchange grew more intense when Akhtar raised the issue of suffering and violence. Referring to children dying in Gaza, hunger and disease, he questioned the idea of an all-powerful and benevolent God. “If such a being exists and allows this, I find it difficult to respect it,” he said, adding sarcastically that “compared to that, our Prime Minister Narendra Modi is better, “kuch to khayal karte hai.” खुदा से ज्यादा तो हमारे प्रधानमंत्री है खयाल रखतेसीधी बात मोदी ही इनका अल्लाह है पूरा डिबेट देखो इसने खुद मोदी को अल्लाहऔर खुदा से बड़ा बताया ..मुफ्ती को खूब धोया जावेद अख्तर का सॉफ्टवेयर अपडेट हो गया  pic.twitter.com/pD5I0zMS7l— Amrendra Bahubali (@TheBahubali_IND) December 20, 2025 Nadwi responded by arguing that evil exists to define good and that human beings are tested through free will. Acts like violence and oppression, he said, are the result of human choices, not divine failure.  Akhtar rejected this, citing philosopher Bertrand Russell’s famous analogy of an invisible teapot orbiting the Earth. “The one who makes the claim must prove it,” he said. Early life and ideological shaping Born and raised in Kolkata, Mufti Shamail Nadwi, whose full name is Mufti Shamail Ahmad Abdullah Nadwi, grew up in a deeply religious environment. According to his own accounts and public profiles, the Qur’an and classical Islamic texts were a central part of his daily life from a very young age. The Qur’an, by his description, was not just recited but “lived.” Classical religious texts were introduced early, shaping his ideology from childhood. This early immersion laid the foundation for a rigid, regressive and exclusionary mindset that later became visible in his public speeches and online activity. Today, Nadwi is associated with academic work as a doctoral researcher at the International Islamic University Malaysia. However, alongside his academic identity, his public statements and videos have repeatedly sparked controversy. Promoting the ‘Bhagwa Love Trap’ conspiracy One of the most criticised episodes linked to Nadwi is his promotion of the “Bhagwa Love Trap” conspiracy theory, a narrative that is outright sinister as it puts the lives of Hindu men in love with Muslim women in danger. In a video shared on hi