Allah's strictness in question?

Scholar specializing in theology escapes from Turkey, yet influence of religious power spans to Germany.

, and Administrator

2025 September 12 . 10:45 AM

1 min read

Questioning Allah's severity: An exploration of divine attributes

Allah's strictness in question?

In the academic world, the name Hamza Aydin was once synonymous with Islamic theology, holding a prestigious position at a renowned university in Turkey. However, the publication of a controversial video in 2019 has significantly altered the course of his life.

Initially, Hamza Aydin agreed to the publication of his name, but since then, he prefers to keep his real identity private. The video, which shows him speaking about the Quran in an office setting, was secretly recorded and has had a profound impact on his life.

The video, published online, occurred during a time when President Erdogan's pursuit of transforming Turkish democracy into an authoritarian state was escalating. This shift in political climate has led to numerous opposition figures being arrested since the beginning of the year, and Hamza Aydin is no longer willing to teach in Turkey.

Details of Hamza Aydin's biography, including the name of his university, are not to be disclosed. Despite numerous searches, there is no publicly available information regarding his current work unit or university affiliation.

The video has sparked controversy due to its content, and Hamza Aydin himself has stated that he does not know who recorded it. The incident has come at a time when Turks have been protesting for freedom of speech, only to be met with water cannons and detainments by the government in the spring.

Hamza Aydin, a professor of Islamic theology, has been visited by Der Spiegel multiple times, but he remains a mystery to many. His expertise lies in the Quran, and while the specifics of his life and career are shrouded in secrecy, the impact of the controversial video on his life is undeniable.