How do we respond to those who accuse Muslims of backwardness and regressiveness, claiming that the torment of the grave is among "myths and falsehoods," and who believe that progress necessitates abandoning these religious concepts?

The backwardness of Muslims today in experimental sciences and material fields is evidence of the greatness of Islam. The early Muslims were world leaders because of their adherence to their religion, and when they turned away from it, they became the most humiliated of nations. This confirms that the truth elevates its adherents if they cling to it, and humbles them if they turn away from it. Allah Almighty says: "Allah has promised those of you who believe and do righteous deeds that He will surely grant them succession in the earth as He granted it to those before them, and that He will surely establish for them their religion which He has chosen for them, and that He will surely change their fear into security, [provided that] they worship Me, not associating anything with Me. But whoever disbelieves after that - then those are the defiantly disobedient." (An-Nur: 55). Moreover, belief in the torment of the grave and matters of the Hereafter calls for people's rectitude and the betterment of their conditions, for tyranny and injustice arise from the absence or weakness of this belief.