What is atheism?

Linguistically, ilhad (atheism/deviation) means to deviate from the intended path and to stray from it. Today, it is applied to those who do not believe in the existence of a Creator. Interpreters have differed regarding the meaning of Allah's statement: "And leave those who deviate concerning His names" (Quran 7:180). Some said it means they lie, while others said it means they associate partners with Allah. The deviation of the polytheists concerning Allah's names involved naming their deities and idols with these names, and adding to or subtracting from them, such as deriving "Al-Lat" from "Allah" and "Al-Uzza" from "Al-Aziz."