Zakir Naik controversy over rape remarks condemned by Irfan Habib
Popular Islamic preacher, Zakir Naik is in hot soup. An old video of the Islamic scholar who appears on TV is going viral on social media. The controversial video is drawing criticism from scholars and netizens with even historian Irfan Habib condemning Naik.
In the video, Zakir Naik, suggests that who do not “adhere to Quranic dress code” share responsibility in cases of rape.
The two-minute video features Naik responding to a question on rape and forgiveness during one of his recorded Q&A sessions. In the clip, he says that while rape and murder are major sins, a victim’s failure to dress “modestly” could make her “partially to blame.”
“If she wore obscene clothes because of which the rape took place, then she is responsible,” Naik says, adding that women are being tested by Allah in such situations. He further suggests that a rapist can still be forgiven if he “truly repents” and fulfills the five conditions of repentance, framing both the victim and the perpetrator as undergoing divine trials.
These statements, widely condemned for promoting victim-blaming, have sparked sharp criticism across social media platforms.
Historian Irfan Habib voiced his disapproval in a post on X, writing, “He is an awful human being, less said about Islam he propagates. I have always condemned him unequivocally and all sane people should do that.”
Habib’s post triggered debates among users, with some questioning his interpretation of Islam and whether it diverged from Naik’s teachings.
The video has prompted intense online discussion. Many users labelled Naik’s statements as misogynistic and a dangerous justification for sexual violence.
Zakir Naik has been residing in Malaysia since 2016, where he has been granted permanent residency. Indian authorities have long sought his extradition, citing investigations into alleged terror funding, hate speech, and radicalisation. These investigations focus on his sermons and his satellite TV channel, which authorities claim target youth with extremist content.
Also Read: Punjab Horror: Ex-DGP Mustafa, Wife And Ex Minister Razia Sultan Booked Yor 35-Year-Old Son’s Murder
Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
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