Life After Islam: Emptiness, Nihilism, Finding Meaning, and Coping with Hard Times Without God

The feeling of Emptiness is indeed REAL after Leaving Islam

Many ex-Muslims who leave religion experience a profound sense of emptiness.

This feeling is real, painful, and often isolating. 

Yet, here is a paradox:

• Atheist societies like Japan, China, Vietnam, and Korea have thrived for centuries without belief in a deity. How?

• They have built civilizations, created art, raised families, and found joy. How?

If life without God inherently leads to emptiness, how have these societies managed to live fulfilling lives for generations?

This article explores the most common objections and concerns about atheism, such as emptiness, meaning, justice, morality, and psychological resilience. It shows how secular societies and individuals find answers without divine intervention.

Why Do Ex-Muslim Atheists Feel Emptiness Without God?

Here are the real reasons for this feeling of emptiness:

Firstly, there is an issue of a pre-packaged framework. In religious societies, meaning is handed down from birth. You are told why you exist, what is right and wrong, and what happens after death. When you leave religion, it feels like the floor has been removed. The emptiness is not a lack of meaning. It is the process of reconstruction.

Secondly, there is a psychological issue. Religious upbringing creates deep neural pathways in the brain. Prayer, faith, and the belief in divine reward release dopamine and other calming hormones. When these practices stop, the brain experiences a kind of withdrawal. But this emptiness is not permanent. Over time, the brain learns to find comfort in new sources, such as art and creativity, nature and mindfulness, human relationships, and personal growth and purpose.

Thirdly, there is an issue of social void. For many ex-religious people, leaving faith means losing not just God but also community, family, and social structure. In Islamic cultures, for example, social life is deeply tied to the mosque, religious holidays, and collective identity. When faith is abandoned, this social structure collapses completely.

In contrast, China, Japan, and Korea maintain strong social cohesion through secular collectivism. Their festivals (like Lunar New Year) are cultural, not religious. Their identity is national and humanistic, not religious and not tied to a deity.

Thus, the emptiness many feel may not be spiritual. It may be social. Once a new, secular community is built, or meaning is found in cultural identity (instead of religious identity), that void begins to fade.

As Muslims, our celebrations were limited to Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. These usually involved an early morning prayer and, at most, a brief visit to relatives afterward. Beyond that, there was very little to mark the rest of the year. Islam offers few cultural festivals or recreational occasions, so daily life largely remained unchanged.

Over time, however, when ex-Muslims integrate into non-religious or secular Western societies, something unexpected happens. Life slowly fills with many new occasions for celebration. Every family member's birthday becomes meaningful, creating moments of joy throughout the year. There are New Year celebrations, regional and cultural festivals such as lantern festivals or Chinese New Year, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, wedding anniversaries, and many other personal milestones.

Even festivals that were once strictly religious have largely become cultural and non-religious. Christmas, Halloween, Holi, Diwali, and many others are now celebrated for their social warmth, colors, food, and human connection rather than belief in a god. Participation is not about faith, but about belonging.

As a result, life begins to feel richer and more alive. The sense of emptiness that many ex-Muslims initially feel is often not caused by the absence of God, but by the sudden loss of social rituals and shared moments. When new cultural traditions and human-centered celebrations take their place, that emptiness gradually fades, and life often becomes more joyful than before.

Nihilism Without God?

Critics often mistake the feeling of emptiness after leaving religion for nihilism.

Nihilism does not mean that life is worthless or that nothing matters. In its philosophical sense, nihilism simply means that life has no pre-installed, cosmic meaning handed down by a deity. Religious critics deliberately distort this definition to portray non-believers as hopeless or lost.

What many ex-Muslims experience after leaving religion is not nihilism, but psychological decompression.

For years, meaning, purpose, morality, and destiny were provided as a complete, pre-packaged system. When that system collapses, the mind enters a transitional phase. This phase feels empty, not because meaning is impossible, but because the old framework has been removed before a new one has been built.

Think of it like demolishing an unsafe building. Before a new home can be constructed, the land must be cleared. During that time, the plot looks empty and lifeless. Religious observers point to the cleared ground and say, “Look, there is nothing there.” But the emptiness is not a dead end. It is a necessary reset.

An empty room is not uninhabitable. It simply means you are now free to furnish it yourself.

What Is the Meaning and Purpose of Life Without God?

The first issue is that nature itself has no inherent purpose. When religious people claim that life comes with a built-in, predefined purpose, that claim does not align with what we actually observe about reality. They cannot explain:

• Why did the universe begin with the Big Bang without any visible goal or direction, or why trillions of stars are born and die across billions of years without any grand narrative attached to their existence? There is no indication that the cosmos is moving toward a specific moral or existential objective.

• Life on Earth emerged through random processes, driven only by the instinct to survive.

• Evolution does not work toward meaning, justice, or human values. It works only toward temporary survival.

• If life truly had an inherent purpose, then one must ask what was the purpose of the countless species that existed long before humans and vanished without leaving descendants? Roughly 99% of all species that ever lived on Earth are now extinct. Dinosaurs ruled the planet for millions of years and disappeared long before humans appeared. What was their purpose?

So, purpose is not written into nature itself. Nature produces life, changes it, and wipes it out without explanation or concern. Meaning is not discovered in the universe like a hidden message.

It is only EVOLUTION that shaped our search for MEANING.

From an evolutionary perspective, the primary purpose of life was "survival."

Yes, humans evolved to seek purpose through natural physiological processes. Our brains release chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins when we help others, achieve personal goals, and form deep relationships. These mechanisms provide a natural sense of fulfillment, with no divine intervention required.

Due to this, the sources of meaning in a secular life are like:

1. Human Relationships: We evolved in a way that love, friendship, and family provide deep fulfillment to us (i.e., hormones in play).

2. Personal Growth and Learning: Intellectual curiosity, skill development, and overcoming challenges create a sense of accomplishment for us (i.e., hormones in play).

3. Contributing to Society: Many atheists find purpose in science, art, medicine, or social justice. Working for the greater good leaves a lasting legacy (i.e., hormones in play).

In East Asia, non-religious or non-theistic philosophical traditions such as Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism offer ethical and existential frameworks without relying on a divine lawgiver. These systems do not ground meaning in obedience to a god, divine reward, or fear of punishment. Instead, they focus on social harmony, personal responsibility, inner cultivation, and living in balance with both society and nature. Meaning is found in how one lives and relates to others, such as being a good child, a responsible parent, or a conscientious member of society.

Here are some of the "Cultural Alternatives" to "Divine Meaning":

Confucianism teaches that the meaning of life arises from fulfilling one’s role within a network of human relationships. Being a good son or daughter, a responsible parent, a loyal friend, and a virtuous citizen gives life purpose. Ethics are rooted in human duty, mutual respect, and social responsibility, not in divine commands or supernatural authority.

Taoism emphasizes living in harmony with the natural order of the universe, known as the Tao. Meaning is not imposed from above but discovered by aligning one’s life with the natural flow of existence. Simplicity, balance, and non-coercive action are central. Life gains meaning through harmony with nature, not through obedience to a god.

Buddhism teaches that the meaning of life lies in understanding the nature of suffering and freeing oneself from it through wisdom, ethical conduct, and mental discipline. Rather than seeking purpose in divine approval or cosmic plans, Buddhism locates meaning in inner transformation. A meaningful life is one in which greed, hatred, and delusion are reduced, compassion is cultivated, and clarity of mind is developed. Liberation from suffering is achieved through personal effort and insight, not through prayer to a creator or reliance on divine intervention.

Together, these traditions demonstrate that ethical systems and a sense of meaning can flourish without belief in a divine lawgiver. Long before modern secular humanism, East Asian cultures developed frameworks that replaced divine command with social responsibility, natural harmony, and inner moral cultivation. They show that purpose, morality, and dignity can emerge from human relationships, nature, and self-awareness rather than from fear of divine judgment or hope for supernatural reward.

How Can Justice Be Served Without God?

Religious people argue that without God there can be no ultimate justice. They claim that evildoers will escape punishment and victims will never see justice. How can justice be served against the powerful?

However, history itself stands as evidence that divine justice is largely an illusion. Wars, genocides, slavery, and mass oppression have occurred across all eras, including deeply religious ones. These atrocities did not pause, slow down, or correct themselves in the presence of belief in God.

If a divine judge truly existed and actively intervened, then a fundamental question arises: why does such immense and prolonged suffering continue unchecked? Why do innocent people suffer while perpetrators often die peacefully, honored by their societies?

The problem becomes even more disturbing when we consider children born with severe disabilities or fatal illnesses. These children are brought into existence without their consent, endure pain throughout their short lives, and often die in early childhood. What crime did they commit? What moral lesson was being taught?

Religious explanations usually retreat to the claim that this suffering is a "test from Allah." But this explanation collapses under its own logic. In Islamic theology, reward is based on intentions. A child who did not choose to be born, did not choose to suffer, and did not consent to any trial cannot be said to have intention at all. So what kind of test is this, and for whom?

If the suffering is meant to test others, then the child becomes nothing more than a tool, sacrificed for someone else's spiritual growth. If it is meant to test the child, then the concept of justice loses all meaning, because there was no choice, no consent, and no agency.

This reality forces an uncomfortable conclusion what is presented as divine justice often functions as a post-hoc excuse for a world that is fundamentally unjust. Justice, when it exists, is not delivered from the sky. It is created imperfectly, slowly, and painfully by human beings themselves.

Another reality is that religious concepts of justice are often "metaphysical," postponed to a next world. Ironically, this idea can paralyze people, discouraging them from fighting against injustice in the here and now.

Atheism brings the realization that there is no "inherent justice" woven into the fabric of the universe. Justice is a human value, something we created through the process of evolution to ensure we can live together in peace. When we accept that no invisible hand is coming to save us, we become more responsible. We write laws, refine judicial systems, and fight for human rights ourselves. The drive for justice doesn't descend from the heavens; it arises from our internal empathy-regulating hormones and our practical need for social survival.

Secular societies have developed legal systems, human rights frameworks, and social norms to hold the powerful accountable.

Let us look at an example of non-religious justice.

• Japan has one of the lowest crime rates in the world, despite being non-religious. Research by global organizations shows that Japan's citizens are the most honest in the world. If someone leaves valuables on trains or in public spaces, Japanese citizens return them to the police. Every year, Tokyo residents hand over millions of yen to authorities. (Link: Tokyo's citizens are the most honest)

• Scandinavian countries, which are among the least religious, rank highest in transparency and lowest in corruption. International courts and human rights organizations work to bring war criminals to justice, regardless of their religious beliefs.

In secular societies, morality is taught through education, empathy, and social responsibility. People act ethically not out of fear of punishment but because they understand the value of harmony and fairness.

Therefore, religious people have to answer if there can exist no sense of justice without a god, how then have non-religious societies created such just societies, which are even ahead of religious societies in this matter?

Coping with Hard Times Without God

Religious advocates claim that belief in God is necessary to protect people from despair. According to this view, people facing suffering, loss, or injustice need divine hope in order to develop patience, endurance, and inner strength, and atheism is therefore seen as emotionally insufficient.

However, history and human psychology tell a different story.

For thousands of years, large populations in East Asia, including China, Vietnam, Japan, and Korea, have lived without reliance on a personal, intervening God. Many of these societies were largely non-theistic, guided instead by philosophy, ethics, and social responsibility. If belief in divine rescue were truly essential for human survival and resilience during hard times, such societies would not have endured, let alone flourished, for centuries.

The ability to endure hardship does not come from belief in a god. It comes from the human mind itself.

Role of Human Mind: How it Prepares Us for Suffering

The human mind has a remarkable capacity to process reality, accept loss, and find psychological stability even in the most extreme circumstances. When a person faces death, for example, it is not prayer that ultimately brings acceptance, but understanding. Through reflection and reasoning, the mind gradually accepts death as a natural and unavoidable part of life. In many cases, death is no longer perceived as a punishment, but as rest, release, or the natural conclusion of existence.

This mental preparation is why many non-religious people, including atheists, often face death with calmness and clarity. Documented interviews with mostly irreligious people before euthanasia (assisted suicides) show that they are peaceful, composed, and mentally ready. Their calm does not come from hope of an afterlife, but from acceptance of reality.

Role of Human Mind in Facing Injustice

When confronted with injustice from powerful oppressive people, the human mind again provides the necessary framework. Rather than assuming that the universe is inherently fair or guided by cosmic justice, the mind recognizes a difficult truth, i.e., justice is a human creation, and this world is not 100% perfect. 

Understanding this does not lead to despair. Instead, it fosters responsibility. If justice does not come from the universe or from God, then it must come from us.

This realization encourages patience and courage without any illusions. The mind learns to endure hardship while also motivating action to resist injustice and reduce suffering wherever possible.

Thus, there is no form of suffering, defeat, loss, or hardship for which the human mind is fundamentally unprepared. Once a person is mentally prepared through understanding and acceptance, there is no need for external guarantees, divine promises, or supernatural rescue.

Non-theistic societies in China, Japan, Vietnam, and Korea have faced wars, famines, disasters, and personal tragedies for centuries without reliance on God. Their resilience demonstrates a simple truth, i.e., meaning, strength, patience, and peace do not come from belief in a deity. They arise from the human mind’s ability to understand reality and to accept it.

In the end, peace is not found in hoping that reality will change, but in preparing the mind to face reality as it is.

Note: Buddhists do not consider Buddha a god with any supernatural powers, but only a human like us

In Buddhism, what often looks like 'prayer' is actually only an act of "veneration", not petition. 

It is unlike Muslims, who pray to Allah in hard times for physical intervention or miracles, Buddhists do not view the Buddha as a god, with supernatural powers, who can change their destiny. To them, he is the Great Teacher who provided a map to enlightenment, but he cannot walk the path for you.

When a Buddhist bows or chants during a hardship, they are not asking the Buddha to fix their problems or change external reality. Instead, they are paying respect to his wisdom and using the practice to cultivate internal strength, patience, and clarity. They understand that life is governed by the law of Karma (cause and effect), meaning only their own actions and state of mind can truly resolve a crisis. Therefore, their 'prayer' is a way to align their own mind with peace rather than a request for a divine rescue.

What if Allah reveals Himself after my death?

Even after fully comprehending that Islam is nothing more than a product of human revelations, I found it difficult to take the final step of leaving it behind and I remained attached to Islam for a while longer.

One question, in particular, weighed heavily on my mind: "What if Allah reveals Himself after my death?"

I thoroughly pondered this question from various angles before directing my last words to Allah. It was the moment of absolute sincerity::

"Oh Allah! If indeed You exist and possess insight into the depths of my heart, then You would perceive that I have sincerely sought the truth.

However, my honest pursuit has led me to firmly believe within my heart that You do not exist. It is my inherent sense of humanity that compels me to conclude that your system (Islam) is founded upon hostility towards humanity.

Do You truly desire for me to be a hypocrite? Should I outwardly acknowledge Your existence while internally denying it within my heart and mind?

And if I refuse to be a hypocrite, will You condemn me to eternal damnation, even though my heart is sincere? Will all the benevolent deeds I have performed for the betterment of humanity be in vain, leading me to eternal torment?

Therefore, if I am to be held accountable for my disbelief in You, then 'firstly,' You must provide answers for Your failure to present sufficient evidence of Your existence. You must explain why I could not recognize You despite my genuine quest. Why do You condemn billions of individuals, born into non-Muslim families by Your design, to suffer in eternal hellfire merely because they did not become Muslims?

If You reject my genuine intentions, then either Your promise of 'Verily, the reward of deeds depends on the intentions' is false, or Your threat of eternal hellfire is false."

These were my final words to Allah. I never addressed Him thereafter.

And I have lived with peace ever since.

Lesson: Build a New Secular Life

Leaving religion does not mean losing meaning. It means:

• Building it anew.

• Replacing religious identity with cultural/humanist identity.

• The emptiness after leaving religion is real, but it is not permanent.

Secular societies prove that humanity can thrive without divine belief. Meaning, justice, and morality are not gifts from God. They are human creations, built through empathy, reason, and cooperation.

For those who feel lost, remember that YOU are not alone. Millions have walked this path before you. The void you feel is not a sign of failure. It is an invitation to rebuild, explore, and create a life that is your own.