Re: Some questions
Q: Compared to the universe, or even our planet, my existence is nothing. In the wide array of things, I am just a negligible and insignificant biological being. Why was I created in the first place?
A: You said you believe in Allah then you should believe when he says that:
"We did not create the jinn and men except to worship me" [Surah adh-Dhariyyat, verse 56)
Please remember here worship is used in its bigger meaning then just praying Namaz. Here worship means that we follow his commands. Do good and stay away from bad and evil.
Q:Are all my actions, my birth, my death, my fate, my reward and punishment - all pre-decided? What am I doing running around then? Where does my free will fit in?
A:Your actions and your fate is not pre-determined.
Here is the proof again from Quran:
"Whoever brings a good deed, shall the value of ten like it. And whoever brings an evil deed will be punished with one like it. And they will not be wronged." [Surah Al-'Imran, verse 160]
Allah gave us consciousness about good and evil So Allah has the right to question our judgment.
Here is the proof from Quran again that he gave us the free will togather with consciouness of good and bad:
"We have inspired each and every soul to an awareness of corruption and righteousness." (The Noble Qur’an, s. Shams)
Q: Religiously, I am a negligent and defiant person. I am not at all regular at namaz. So am I in for an infinite period of torture and punishment? If I die today, I don't see many compelling reasons for my forgiveness. Alright, first question would be namaz? So they would be dragging my defiant butt straight to the pits of hell right after the first question. For some laziness and some defiance due to stupid reasons (unfortunate events, pessimistic feeling, just being upset), I would be punished for enernity?
A:Allah will judge you based on what you did all your life. Your fate will not be decided just based on one or few deeds.
Quran says:
"Whoever brings a good deed, shall the value of ten like it. And whoever brings an evil deed will be punished with one like it. And they will not be wronged." [The Noble Qur’an, sûrah Âl-'Imrân, verse 160]
Q: Now why would Allah want to do that and how is that fair? Honestly when I hear people talk about the azaab in grave and hereafter, it scares the heck out of me. Like how many more minutes, hours, days, months or years do I have here - struggling to survive - before I am taken away for an eternal chitter parade?
A: Why would Allah want to do that ? Because one failed the test. Now how long will one will be punished depends on Allah's mercy.
Q: Further, things which perhaps I shouldn't be thinking about are - why did Allah create insignificant beings like us in the first place? Does he just sit there and keep watching us do our thing? and later he will have the judgement day and then watch us burn in hell or enjoy in heaven?
A: Allah is the creator. That is why He created us. Quran provides the proof that He is the creator. ""God created all things, and he is the agent, upon which, all things depend." [The Noble Qur’an, sûrah 39, verse 62]
So if He the creator He had to create us and the universe. Yes he is watching us do our thing and on the judgement day He will punish or reward us as per His own decree in Quran.
Q:He created all the souls, he created good and evil, so if someone is evil, how is that his fault? What would he be punished for - if it was his fate to do evil and this is what he was made for? How do you informed and educated people satisfy atheists of these questions?
A:I have already told you he did not create any soul as good or evil. Do gooders do good at their own free will and evil doers do evil at their own free will.