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Zakir Naik: Difference between revisions
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{{QualityScore|Lead=2|Structure=3|Content=3|Language=3|References=3}} | {{QualityScore|Lead=2|Structure=3|Content=3|Language=3|References=3}} | ||
'''Zakir Abdul Karim Naik''' (born October 18, 1965) is an Indian apologist for [[Islam]] | '''Zakir Abdul Karim Naik''' (born October 18, 1965) is an Indian apologist for [[Islam]]. He travels extensively and has been featured at many Islamic conferences. | ||
A medical doctor by training, Naik | A medical doctor by training, Naik read modern scientific findings into the [[Qur'an]], [[Hadith]] and other religious scriptures as a basis for spreading ''Dawah'' (Islamic proselytism). | ||
==History and Background== | ==History and Background== | ||
Naik studied at St Peter's High School and Kishinchand Chellaram College. Later, he received a bachelor's degree in medicine at the Karnataka Lingayat Education Society's J. N. Medical College, Belgaum, Karnataka. He heads the Islamic Research Foundation, based in Mumbai. He is also the chairman of the IRF Educational Trust, and the president of Islamic Dimensions. Naik is the founder of the Islamic International School. | |||
==His Views== | ==His Views== | ||
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=== Hijab === | === Hijab === | ||
Naik supports the practice of [[hijab]], or | Naik supports the practice of [[hijab]], or the covering of a woman's [[aura]]. He writes that in Islam, a woman is required to cover herself entirely except for her face and hands up to her wrists. He claims that [[Islam]] thus protects women from the lust of men. For men, he prescribes looking away from women if immodest thoughts enter their minds. | ||
=== Polygamy === | === Polygamy === | ||
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Naik argues that [[Polygamy|polygyny]], or the Muslim practice of taking up to four wives is justified as it is in the best interest of both women and men. He claims it protects the modesty of women, while keeping men from going astray. He writes in his website that human males are polygamous by nature and that a man is less likely to cheat if he has more than one wife. He also believes that there are more marriageable women than men in the world and claims: {{Quote||"If every woman got married to only one man, there would be over thirty million females in U.S.A, four million females in Great Britain, 5 million females in Germany and nine million females in Russia who would not find a husband. Thus the only two options before a woman who cannot find a husband is to marry a married man or to become public property."}} | Naik argues that [[Polygamy|polygyny]], or the Muslim practice of taking up to four wives is justified as it is in the best interest of both women and men. He claims it protects the modesty of women, while keeping men from going astray. He writes in his website that human males are polygamous by nature and that a man is less likely to cheat if he has more than one wife. He also believes that there are more marriageable women than men in the world and claims: {{Quote||"If every woman got married to only one man, there would be over thirty million females in U.S.A, four million females in Great Britain, 5 million females in Germany and nine million females in Russia who would not find a husband. Thus the only two options before a woman who cannot find a husband is to marry a married man or to become public property."}} | ||
It should be noted that the numbers he cites seem outdated, stemming from the time many men had died recently in world war II. Today there are more males born than females, particularly in some countries like India and China for cultural reason, so from a purely arithmetic point of view, it would be no problem to match every woman with a male. | |||
Naik points to {{Quran|4|3}} to explain the Muslim position on polygyny. This verse explains that a man can take more than one wife only if he is able to treat them equally. If he cannot do this, he should have a relationship with only one wife and/or "what your right hands possess" (i.e. female slaves and concubines). <ref>IRF.net: Misconceptions About Islam (FAQs) Question 01 of Section A</ref> | Naik points to {{Quran|4|3}} to explain the Muslim position on polygyny. This verse explains that a man can take more than one wife only if he is able to treat them equally. If he cannot do this, he should have a relationship with only one wife and/or "what your right hands possess" (i.e. female slaves and concubines). <ref>IRF.net: Misconceptions About Islam (FAQs) Question 01 of Section A</ref> | ||
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===Muslim Critics=== | ===Muslim Critics=== | ||
Naik's views on prasad and Christmas wishes have been discussed on Indian television channels. During NDTV's televised debate "The Big Fight" (March 11 2006) and prominent Indian Muslims such as Salman Khurshid and Javed Akhtar | Naik's views on prasad (eating ritually dedicated vegetarian food to a Hindu god) and Christmas wishes have been discussed on Indian television channels. Naik believes that taking part in such activities is haram for believing Muslims. During NDTV's televised debate "The Big Fight" (March 11 2006) and prominent Indian Muslims such as Salman Khurshid and Javed Akhtar confronted Naik over what they felt were Naik's mischievous attempts to radicalize the Indian Muslim community and promote communal strife. | ||
Other Muslims like Sheikh Taj-Al Halily and the members of the Muslim Canadian Congress have also rejected this viewpoint on Christmas wishes. <ref>[http://www.littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=5128&only Merry Christmas = Murder] Little Green Footballs</ref> | Other Muslims like Sheikh Taj-Al Halily and the members of the Muslim Canadian Congress have also rejected this viewpoint on Christmas wishes. <ref>[http://www.littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=5128&only Merry Christmas = Murder] Little Green Footballs</ref> | ||
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===Non-Muslim Critics=== | ===Non-Muslim Critics=== | ||
Non-Muslim critics have claimed that Naik's views on "Idol worship in Islam" | Non-Muslim critics have claimed that Naik's views on "Idol worship in Islam" are hypocritical. They pointed out that he deliberately talking only of "standing on idols" and nothing else which could be deemed disrespectful (like spitting or kicking).<ref>[http://www.faithfreedom.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=16082 Idol Worship in Islam] Faith Freedom International forum</ref> | ||
He has also claimed that eating pork can lead a human to acting like a pig, an assertion which has produced much criticism. <ref>[http://www.faithfreedom.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14954&sid=67fe67c45c6858079bef7f854faa8d3b Zakir Naik: If you eat pigs then you behave like pigs]Faith Freedom International Forum</ref> | |||
Critics also point to Naik's strident debating style to claim that he wants to raise communal feelings.<ref>[http://p081.ezboard.com/fhinduunityfrm11.showMessage?topicID=7.topic Zakir Naik must apologize] Hindu unity</ref> During the Bangalore debate, Naik criticised other religions including Hinduism. His co-speaker Sri Sri Ravi Shankar simply replied, "to each their belief, and it is not our position to question them."<ref>[http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8457665130451146736&q=zakir+naik+ravi Dr Zakir Naik & Ravi Shankar Debate]</ref> | Critics also point to Naik's strident debating style to claim that he wants to raise communal feelings.<ref>[http://p081.ezboard.com/fhinduunityfrm11.showMessage?topicID=7.topic Zakir Naik must apologize] Hindu unity</ref> During the Bangalore debate, Naik criticised other religions including Hinduism. His co-speaker Sri Sri Ravi Shankar simply replied, "to each their belief, and it is not our position to question them."<ref>[http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8457665130451146736&q=zakir+naik+ravi Dr Zakir Naik & Ravi Shankar Debate]</ref> | ||
Various published sources, such as the CIA Factbook, contradict Naik's claims that there are more women than men in groups of | Various published sources, such as the CIA Factbook, contradict Naik's claims that there are more women than men in groups of marriageable age than men, a key point in his defense of Islamic polygyny.<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/ CIA world-factbook]</ref> Critics say this undercuts his rationale for polygamy. | ||
Ali Sina, | Ali Sina, wprominent internet critic of Islam, has claimed that Naik is a showman who twists the truth and fools his audience. He has reviewed the debate between Campbell and Naik and claims that Naik misrepresented Islam with his statements.<ref>Ali Sina - [http://www.faithfreedom.org/debates/NaikCampbellintro.htm World's Greatest Showman] Faith Freedom International, Dec 6, 2006 </ref> | ||
Also in June of 2010, UK Home Secretary, Theresa May, banned Zakir Naik from entering the country. He had been due to give a series of lectures at arenas in Wembley Arena and Sheffield. | Also in June of 2010, UK Home Secretary, Theresa May, banned Zakir Naik from entering the country due to past statements of his apparently supporting terrorism and Islamic terrorists such as Osama bin Laden. He had been due to give a series of lectures at arenas in Wembley Arena and Sheffield. | ||
{{Quote|1=[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/7836557/Home-secretary-Theresa-May-bans-radical-preacher-Zakir-Naik-from-entering-UK.html UK Home Secretary, Theresa May] |2=“I have excluded Dr Naik from the UK. Numerous comments made by Dr Naik are evidence to me of his unacceptable | {{Quote|1=[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/7836557/Home-secretary-Theresa-May-bans-radical-preacher-Zakir-Naik-from-entering-UK.html UK Home Secretary, Theresa May] |2=“I have excluded Dr Naik from the UK. Numerous comments made by Dr Naik are evidence to me of his unacceptable behavior. Coming to the UK is a privilege not a right and I am not wiling to allow those who might not be conducive to the public good to enter the UK.}} | ||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||