In an undated video clipping that was part of an interview between Dravidianist YouTuber Jeeva Sagapthan and Islamic scholar P. Jainulabdeen, founder of the Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamath, a series of remarks were made criticising idol worship and atheism. It is noteworthy that TNTJ is an organization previously flagged in connection with the 2019 Sri Lanka Easter bombings.
The video clip was shared on Jeeva Today’s Instagram handle a few days ago.
In the exchange, P Jainulabdeen questioned the theological basis of idol worship, arguing that those who create idols themselves should recognise their material nature.
“He does not understand, does he not know this is a stone? Of course he knows; haven’t people gone and taken it right before his eyes? … It does not speak, does it? It does not move, does it?” he said, dismissing the sanctity attributed to idols.
Responding to Jeeva’s counter, that God should directly make non-believers realise the truth, Jainulabdeen maintained that divine intervention was unnecessary because humans had been given intelligence.
“He has said it, I have understood it, if you don’t understand what can I do? God didn’t come directly and tell me; but because I understood it myself. God did not come and tell me personally, I realised it,” he said.
When Jeeva argued that such belief systems were shaped by birth into particular religions, Jainulabdeen rejected the premise.
“No, it can come even if you are born elsewhere. Can’t you understand that a stone is a stone? … After creating by yourself, if you say, ‘This is my God,’ how would that God, from His perspective, take it?” he asked.
The discussion grew more pointed when the subject turned to divine judgment, atheism, and unbelief.
Jeeva pressed Jainulabdeen on whether those who commit shirk or disbelief should face punishment, to which PJ responded, “Yes, punishment,” while adding that “Punishment has many forms.”
“If you take atheists — the same question arises. Atheists cannot even question God — because they say He does not exist,” Jainulabdeen said, adding an analogy: “Like a father who raises and provides for his children and the child says, ‘My father does not exist,’ how would that father feel?”
He further stated, “More than that, God would feel anger, ‘I created everything, and you deny Me?’ … Only one who has the power to be angered at such denial can be God.”
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