Dr. Zakir Naik’s Controversial Statements and Disputes

• “Controversial Preacher Zakir Naik Sparks Outrage in Pakistan”

• “Zakir Naik’s Statements Stir Debate Across Social Media”

• “Zakir Naik Faces Backlash for Offensive Remarks on Women and Transgenders”

• “Why Zakir Naik’s Visit to Pakistan is Stirring Controversy”

In Allama Iqbal’s poem “Iblees Ki Majlis-e-Shura” (Council of Satan), the lines:

“Keep him preoccupied with morning prayers and contemplation,
Strengthen his inclination towards asceticism,”

serve as a metaphor for how Satan advises his followers on how to mislead Muslims. History shows that these tricks have been effectively used against us. Instead of following the true guidance of the Quran, we have been caught up in endless debates about paradise, theological nuances, and interpretations of religious texts, without addressing the real issues facing our society.

Historical accounts suggest that during the Mongol siege of Baghdad, while the enemy forces were at the gates, Muslim scholars inside the city were busy debating irrelevant theological questions. Topics such as “How many angels can sit on the head of a pin?” or “Is the crow halal or haram?” were being discussed, while the Mongols invaded, slaughtered the people of Baghdad, and executed the Caliph and his family without any regard for sectarian differences.

A similar situation seems to be unfolding in Pakistan today. The country is facing economic and social crises, its borders are insecure, sectarian divisions are deepening, and extremism is at an all-time high. Extremist groups continue to attack military personnel and government officials with impunity. The level of intolerance has reached a point where anyone can be killed over blasphemy accusations without consequence. Even those who once promoted extremist ideas are no longer safe, as demonstrated by Mufti Tariq Masood, who is currently seeking refuge in the cold winters of Canada.

In this context, it is baffling why the government invited Dr. Zakir Naik as a state guest, further fueling the fire with his divisive rhetoric. Dr. Naik, a disciple of Ahmed Deedat (a South African scholar of Indian origin), is known for his comparative religion debates. However, unlike Deedat’s rational and friendly approach, Zakir Naik adopts a more aggressive tone and has made numerous controversial and inflammatory remarks.

Since arriving in Pakistan, Dr. Naik has been well-received by government officials. The Sindh Government even awarded him an honorary doctorate, and he has been holding public sessions across cities. His followers and critics have flooded social media with their views on his speeches, which are growing more controversial by the day. His latest statement stirred outrage when he declared, “A woman has only two options: either get married or become public property.” Shockingly, many in the audience clapped in response. In another bizarre incident, Dr. Naik left an orphanage event, claiming he might accidentally touch the “adult” girls present. He even scolded a female TV anchor for standing too close to him, revealing a paranoid mindset. Is he here to mock Pakistani society?

In another session, Dr. Naik insulted a brave young woman from Lakki Marwat, Ploosha, dismissing her question with an illogical and condescending response. He also referred to transgender individuals as “hijras” (a derogatory term in South Asia), displaying his disrespect for this marginalized group.

Dr. Naik’s absurdity doesn’t end there. He also proclaimed that cow urine and feces, as well as the excretions of other halal animals, are permissible for consumption. Perhaps it’s this wisdom that led the Indian government to initially support him, but now he might even declare the worship of cows as an act of devotion.

He has also suggested that “the chances of people living in Pakistan going to heaven are greater than those in America,” possibly implying his own quest for salvation as he travels to Pakistan. He arrived with a team carrying 40 suitcases, weighing around a ton in total. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) gave him a 50% discount on the extra luggage, yet Dr. Naik was still dissatisfied and lashed out at PIA’s CEO, even though he had flown on a different airline.

This reminds me of the story from my childhood about Hazrat Umar bin Abdul Aziz, who once extinguished a government-provided lamp when he had a private visitor, as the oil was government property and their conversation was personal. Dr. Naik preaches about Islamic values, yet fails to exemplify them by demanding special privileges for himself.

PIA is Pakistan’s national airline, not a private entity, and granting Dr. Naik a discount was wrong. While criticizing PIA, he praised India for treating him like a deity and offering him every kind of privilege. It is shameful that while enjoying Pakistan’s hospitality, he sings praises of India. He came here for a personal business venture—recording his private TV channel’s shows—while acting like he’s doing us a favor.

Perhaps Dr. Naik is considering settling in Pakistan and running his TV channel from here. The country certainly offers a fertile ground for his ideas, with plenty of buyers for every product. Additionally, he believes his chances of reaching heaven are higher by staying in Pakistan. After being exiled from India and facing legal charges in Malaysia for promoting religious hatred, Pakistan seems like the only place left where he can find public and governmental support.

I believe these kinds of personalities and their statements are forcing many minds to rethink their beliefs. As a result, a new mindset is emerging. Today’s youth, when faced with these religious traditions and fiery speeches, will likely feel disillusioned, leading them away from such figures. Educated individuals, in particular, when hearing irrational claims, are likely to question their beliefs. If they don’t receive satisfactory, rational answers, young minds may become disillusioned.

It would be best for Dr. Naik to complete his visit and return to where he came from, leaving us to deal with our own issues. We are Muslims, Alhamdulillah, and do not need further doses of his rhetoric.