What if you stood in your backyard as a teenager, looked up at the sky, and told God you hated Him? Or questioned everything you were taught about religion, only to find yourself years later writing a book about discovering faith? That’s exactly where this episode takes us. The beliefs we inherit might be a comforting anchor—or plunge us into doubt, pulling us far from the truth we’re meant to seek. Too often, we cling to them blindly, unaware of the questions bubbling beneath the surface.

Pakistani star Hamza Ali Abbasi joins host Eram Saeed to peel back the layers of faith, doubt, and divine connection. It’s not your typical religious discourse. Together, they dive into the messy, beautiful process of challenging what we’re told, sharing their journeys from rebellion to revelation—Hamza through his book My Discovery of God, Islam, and Judgment Day, and Eram through her transformation from anger to love. 

This episode offers a raw look at how questioning can lead to liberation and a deeper bond with Allah. If you’ve ever wrestled with your beliefs or longed for a faith that feels authentic, this dialogue will light a path toward clarity and purpose.

Challenges in Understanding Religion

Questioning faith wasn’t just discouraged in religious society—it was dangerous. In both narratives, early attempts to understand religion were met with intolerance. Foundational doubts, like the fairness of hell for non-Muslims or the perceived incompleteness of the Quran, were dismissed instead of addressed. The idea that Hadiths could override or fill in missing parts of divine scripture raised more concern than clarity.

What emerged from that silence wasn’t rejection but resistance. Eram found herself building an image of God as cruel and narcissistic, while Hamza leaned toward atheism. And yet, both continued searching. Their stories reflect something many feel but rarely say: questioning isn’t a betrayal—it’s a sign that your faith is alive.

Sincerity is the Soul of the Search

Not every seeker finds perfect answers—but effort, when sincere, carries divine weight. Hamza highlights a Quranic account where companions made a genuine mistake and were still forgiven. It’s not about flawless conclusions; it’s about a heart that’s honestly trying to understand.

Eram adds that her father encouraged this kind of inquiry. He reminded her of Prophet Ibrahim’s (AS) long journey to truth—through trial, doubt, and even temporary misbelief. In a world quick to label, sincerity is what God sees first. And that alone can be the difference between error and elevation.

Judgment Day Isn't a Threat—It’s a Mirror

For those who believe in accountability, how life is lived changes entirely. Hamza paints a compelling picture: imagine being tested on a book that determines your eternity—with paradise or punishment hinging on your comprehension. You wouldn’t skim it; you’d obsess over it.

That sense of urgency is what realigned his life. Patience with ego, commitment to moral decisions, and consistency in character came not from fear—but from a deep understanding of what’s at stake. Judgment Day isn’t meant to paralyze—it’s meant to clarify what matters most.

God Meets Each Soul in Their Own Language

For Hamza, God first showed up as a strict teacher demanding accountability. For Eram, He came as a compassionate friend, offering healing after years of trauma. Their paths were different, but the destination was the same: a relationship with God rooted in love and trust.

Eram describes her turning point as a realization that she wasn’t alone in her struggle. As she learned about self-mastery and began to study the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) from the lens of emotional intelligence and resilience, she fell in love—not with a religion, but with the person who lived it. In that love, she found God again.

Hamza’s journey also led him to love—after years of discipline and reflection, he says, “God becomes your best friend, your only constant.” Love, then, is not a luxury of the spiritual path. It’s the reward of walking it.

Islam Isn’t Inflexible—It’s Misunderstood

Near the end of the conversation, cultural interpretations come under fire. Many teachings passed off as religious obligations—like forced hijab, gender segregation, or the prohibition of music—are, in this view, cultural overlays rather than divine commands.

Hamza advocates for a revival of Islam’s original spirit: rooted in morality, sincerity, and personal accountability. He argues that this interpretation, though unfamiliar to many, aligns more with the prophetic tradition than modern mainstream practice. Faith, when stripped of coercion, becomes something transformative—something that invites, rather than imposes.

Hamza Ali Abbasi’s Journey

Before becoming a published author and voice for spiritual reflection, Hamza Ali Abbasi was one of Pakistan’s most recognizable actors—and a self-declared militant atheist. Raised in a Muslim society where religious questioning was often met with anger, he struggled to reconcile core beliefs with what he saw as cultural rigidity and contradictions. Questions about divine justice, the fate of non-Muslims, and the completeness of the Quran led not to answers, but to isolation and doubt.

Still, something within him remained restless. What began as rejection turned into an honest, consuming inquiry: What if Judgment Day is real? That single question reshaped his direction. Rather than dismissing religion entirely, Hamza chose to explore it sincerely. In doing so, he discovered not just theological answers but an emotional shift—God, once seen as distant and punishing, became a presence marked by love, wisdom, and profound personal relevance.

Now, Hamza uses his platform to promote a faith rooted in reason, sincerity, and compassion. His transformation challenges the idea that doubt and belief are opposites—instead, it shows that the most enduring faith often begins with the courage to ask difficult questions.

Expert Advice & Powerful Quotes

 “Even if you come at the wrong conclusions, you shall be forgiven on the Day of Judgment because you made a genuine mistake” – Hamza Ali Abbasi

 “You shall be questioned in whatever you have been given.” – Hamza Ali Abbasi

 “As we live our lives, doing more things that God has asked us to do, God starts making his appearance very apparent in your life, not physically, obviously… God starts making you feel His presence. And yes, then I felt his loving side. Then gradually he does become your best friend.”– Hamza Ali Abbasi

 “The only being who loves you without any conditions is God.” – Hamza Ali Abbasi

Your Next Step: Begin Your Sincere Search

If Hamza’s story speaks to your own questions about faith, purpose, or God, here’s how you can take the next step:

1. Listen to the Full Episode – Immerse yourself in the complete conversation to hear the full depth of Hamza’s journey from doubt to devotion.
2. Question with Sincerity – Don’t fear your doubts. Start with one question you’ve been avoiding and explore it with an open heart.
3. Reflect on Accountability – Ask yourself: If Judgment Day is real, how would I live differently today?
4. Redefine Your Image of God – Explore how you perceive the Divine. Is it fear-based, or is there room for love, mercy, and friendship?
5. Join the Conversation – Discover more thought-provoking content and community at Jamali.love, where faith meets reflection.

Remember: The journey to God begins with sincerity. Start where you are, ask what truly matters, and let your heart guide you toward the truth