Dr Zakir Naik’s Biography

Dr Zakir Naik in Maldives, May 2010 Bombay India Creation awards. Zakir Abdul Karim Naik (born November 18, 1965) is a public evangelic in India. The former president of the Islam Research Federation and the Peace Television Network has served in various roles. Naik stated his plan to 'concentrate on educated Muslim youth who are becoming apologetic about themselves.', Naik gives lectures promoting Islam (Dawa) with sometimes accompanying questions and responses to audience questions. Who is Dr Zakir Naik? Dr. Zakir Naik is a world-renowned Islamic scholar, preacher, and televangelist. He is the founder and president of the Islamic Research Foundation, which runs the Peace TV channel. Dr. Zakir was born in Mumbai, India, in 1965 to a conservative Muslim family. He graduated from Topiwala National Medical College with a Bachelor of Medicine, and Bachelor of Surgery degree. He then pursued a career in preaching, becoming one of the most popular Islamic scholars in the world. Dr. Zakir is known for his work in comparative religion, where he seeks to promote understanding between different faiths. He has…

Continue ReadingDr Zakir Naik’s Biography

Why do Muslims abuse non-Muslims by calling them Kafirs?

Kafir means one who rejects. ‘Kafir’ is derived from the word ‘kufr’, which means to conceal or to reject. In Islamic terminology, ‘Kafir’ means one who conceals or rejects the truth of Islam and a person who rejects Islam is in English called a ‘non-Muslim’. If a ‘non-Muslim’ considers being called a ‘non-Muslim’ or ‘Kafir’, which are one and the same, an abuse, it is due to his misunderstanding about Islam. He or she needs to reach out to proper sources of understanding Islam and Islamic terminology, and not only will he not feel abused but appreciate Islam in the proper perspective.

Continue ReadingWhy do Muslims abuse non-Muslims by calling them Kafirs?

If Islam is the best religion, why are many of the Muslims dishonest, unreliable, and involved in activities such as cheating, bribing, dealing drugs, etc.?

Media maligns Islam Islam is without doubt the best religion but the media is in the hands of the westerners who are afraid of Islam. The media is continuously broadcasting and printing information against Islam. They either provide misinformation about Islam, misquote Islam or project a point out of proportion, if any. When any bomb blasts take place anywhere, the first people to be accused without proof are invariably the Muslims. This appears as headlines in the news. Later, when they find that non-Muslims were responsible, it appears as an insignificant news’ item. If a 50 year old Muslim marries a 15 year old girl after taking her permission, it appears on the front page but when a 50 year old non-Muslim rapes a 6 year old girl, it may appear in the news in the inside pages as ‘Newsbriefs’. Everyday in America on an average 2,713 cases of rape take place but it doesn’t appear in the news, since it has become a way of life for the Americans. Black sheep in every community: I am…

Continue ReadingIf Islam is the best religion, why are many of the Muslims dishonest, unreliable, and involved in activities such as cheating, bribing, dealing drugs, etc.?

All religions basically teach followers to do good deeds. Why should a person only follow Islam? Can he not follow any of the religions?

Major difference between Islam and most other religions All religions basically exhort mankind to be righteous and eschew evil. But Islam goes beyond that. It guides us towards practical ways of achieving righteousness and eliminating evil from our individual and collective lives. Islam takes into account human nature and the complexities of human society. Islam is guidance from the Creator Himself. Therefore, Islam is also called the Deen-ul-Fitrah (the natural religion of Man). Example - Islam commands us to shun robbery and also prescribes method of eli-minating robbery Islam prescribes method of eliminating robbery All major religions teach that theft is an evil act. Islam teaches the same. So what is the difference between Islam and the other religions? The difference lies in the fact that Islam, besides teaching that robbing is evil, shows a practical way of creating a social structure in which people will not rob. Islam prescribes Zakat Islam prescribes a system of Zakat (obligatory annual charity). Islamic law prescribes that every person who has a saving that exceeds the nisab level i.e. more…

Continue ReadingAll religions basically teach followers to do good deeds. Why should a person only follow Islam? Can he not follow any of the religions?

When all the Muslims follow one and the same Qur’an then why are there so many sects and different schools of thought among Muslims?

Muslims Should be United It is a fact that Muslims today, are divided amongst themselves. The tragedy is that such divisions are not endorsed by Islam at all. Islam believes in fostering unity amongst its followers. The Glorious Qur’an says: “And hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves;”                       [Al-Qur’an 3:103] Which is the rope of Allah that is being referred to in this verse? It is the Glorious Qur’an. The Glorious Qur’an is the rope of Allah which all Muslims should hold fast together. There is double emphasis in this verse. Besides saying ‘hold fast all together’ it also says, ‘be not divided’. Qur’an further says, “Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger”                                         [Al-Qur’an 4:59] All the Muslim should follow the Qur’an and authentic ahadith and be not divided among themselves. It is Prohibited to make sects and divisions in Islam The Glorious Qur’an says: “As for those who divide Their religion and break up into sects, thou hast no part in them in the least:…

Continue ReadingWhen all the Muslims follow one and the same Qur’an then why are there so many sects and different schools of thought among Muslims?

How can you prove the existence of the hereafter, i.e. life after death?

Belief in the hereafter is not based on blind faith? Many people wonder as to how a person with a scientific and logical temperament, can lend any credence to the belief of life after death. People assume that anyone believing in the hereafter is doing so on the basis of blind belief. My belief in the hereafter is based on a logical argument. Hereafter a logical belief There are more than a thousand verses in the Glorious Qur’an, containing scientific facts (refer my book “Qur’an and Modern Science-Compatible or Incompatible?”). Many facts mentioned in the Qur’an have been discovered in the last few centuries. But science has not advanced to a level where it can confirm every statement of the Qur’an. Suppose 80% of all that is mentioned in the Qur’an has been proved 100% correct. About the remaining 20%, science makes no categorical statement, since it has not advanced to a level, where it can either prove or disprove these statements. With the limited knowledge that we have, we cannot say for sure whether even a…

Continue ReadingHow can you prove the existence of the hereafter, i.e. life after death?

Under Islamic law, why is a woman’s share of the inherited wealth only half that of a man?

Inheritance in the Qur'an The Glorious Qur’an contains specific and detailed guidance regarding the division of the inherited wealth, among the rightful beneficiaries. The Qur’anic verses that contain guidance regarding inheritance are: Surah Baqarah, chapter 2 verse 180 Surah Baqarah, chapter 2 verse 240 Surah Nisa, chapter 4 verse 7-9 Surah Nisa, chapter 4 verse 19 Surah Nisa, chapter 4 verse 33 and Surah Maidah, chapter 5 verse 106-108 Specific share of inheritance for the relatives There are three verses in the Qur’an that broadly describe the share of close relatives i.e. Surah Nisah chapter 4 verses 11, 12 and 176. The translation of these verses are as follows: “Allah (thus) directs you as regards your children’s (inheritance): to the male, a portion equal to that of two females, if only daughters, two or more, their share is two-thirds of the inheritance; If only one, her share is a half. For parents, a sixth share of the inheritance to each, if the deceased left children; If no children, and the parents are the (only) heirs, the mother…

Continue ReadingUnder Islamic law, why is a woman’s share of the inherited wealth only half that of a man?

Why are two witnesses who are women, equivalent to only one witness who is a man ?

Two female witnesses not always considered equal to one male witness There are no less than three verses in the Qur’an which speak about witnesses without specifying man or woman. While making a will of inheritance, two just persons are required as witnesses. In Surah Maidah chapter 5 verse 106, the Glorious Qur’an says: “Oh you who believe! When death approaches any of you, (take) witnesses among yourself when making bequests,– two just persons of your own (brotherhood) or others from outside if you are journeying through the earth and the chance of death befalls you.” b) Two persons endued with justice in case of talaq. “And take for witness two persons from among you, endued with justice, and establish the evidence (as) before Allah”. c) Four witnesses are required in case of charge against chaste women “And those who launch a charge against chaste women, and produce not four witnesses (to support their allegatios) flog them with eighty stripes; and reject their evidence even after: for such men are wicked transgressors” [Al-Qur’an 24:4] Two female witnesses…

Continue ReadingWhy are two witnesses who are women, equivalent to only one witness who is a man ?

Why is the consumption of alcohol prohibited in Islam?

Alcohol has been the scourge of human society since time immemorial. It continues to cost countless human lives, and causes terrible misery to millions throughout the world. Alcohol is the root cause of several problems facing society. The statistics of soaring crime rates, increasing instances of mental illnesses and millions of broken homes throughout the world bear mute testimony to the destructive power of alcohol. Prohibition of alcohol in the Qur’an The Glorious Qur’an prohibits the consumption of alcohol in the following verse: “O ye who believe! Intoxicants and Gambling, (dedication of) stones, and (divination by) arrows, are an Abomination – of Satan’s handiwork; eschew such (abomination), that ye may prosper.” [Al-Qur’an 5:90] Prohibition of alcohol in the Bible The Bible prohibits the consumption of alcohol in the following verses: a.         “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging; and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”                          [Proverbs 20:1] b.    “And be not drunk with wine.” [Ephesians 5:18] Alcohol inhibits the inhibitory centre The human beings possess an inhibitory centre in their brains. This inhibitory centre prevents…

Continue ReadingWhy is the consumption of alcohol prohibited in Islam?

Why is the eating of pork forbidden in Islam?

The fact that consumption of pork is prohibited in Islam is well known. The following points explain various aspects of this prohibition: Pork prohibited in Qur’an The Qur’an prohibits the consumption of pork in no less than 4 different places. It is prohibited in 2:173, 5:3, 6:145 and 16:115. “Forbidden to you (for food) are: dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which hath been invoked the name of other than Allah.” [Al-Qur’an 5:3] The above verses of the Holy Qur’an are sufficient to satisfy a Muslim as to why pork is forbidden. Pork prohibited in the Bible The Christian is likely to be convinced by his religious scriptures. The Bible prohibits the consumption of pork, in the book of Leviticus “And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be cloven footed, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you”. “Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcass shall ye not touch, they are unclean to you.”                                          [Leviticus 11:7-8] Pork is also prohibited in the Bible in the…

Continue ReadingWhy is the eating of pork forbidden in Islam?