A Comparative Study of Atheistic Trends and Islamic Reform Movements in the Muslim World

Abstract

In this comparative analysis, resurgence of atheistic tendencies (1-10% prevalence) among urban educated Muslim youth and counter-measures of Islamic reform movements (Tablighi Jama'at, Deobandi, Salafism, Minhaj-ul-Quran) in Muslim-majority societies are addressed. According to surveys, the rate of irreligiosity is accelerating, with Iran (8.8% atheists, GAMAAN 2020), Tunisia/Lebanon (7-13% non-religious, Arab Barometer 2010-2022) being the most irreligious, influenced by the digital media (r/exmuslim: 150k members), secular education, and disappointment with the hypocrisy of the clergy. The level of religiosity maintained by reforms is 85-95% by da'wah, madrasa networks (4,000+ Deobandi seminaries), theological rebuttals (Al-Ghazali to Ibn Baz) and welfare, reflected in 82% retention of UK-Pakistani and 12% Egyptian religiosity recovered after 2013. It is analyzed in terms of the social effectiveness of reforms against the elite infiltration of atheism and calls to digital hybridization (AI fatwas, Tik Tok apologetics), academies of ijtihad, and the cohesion of the OIC. The solution is policy advocacy of STEM-kalam curricula, atheist discussion forums to maintain tawhid despite 2.8 billion Muslims projected by Pew by the year 2050 and adaptive revivalism to prevent secular drift.