Avoid Listening to Zakir Naik: Deoband’s Fatwa From 2007

The Darul Uloom Deoband had warned that Zakir Naik was “ghair muqqalid” and that his knowledge wasn’t “deep.”

A group of secular activists also plan to hold a protest meet on July 13 against Zakir Naik’s sermons (Photo: Lijumol Joseph/ The Quint)

Darul Uloom Deoband, India’s premier seminary for Islamic studies, had issued a fatwa in 2007 against the controversial Islamic preacher, Zakir Naik, calling him a “ghair muqqalid.” ( one who does not follow any of the four Sunni Imams—Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Hambul, Imam Shafi and Imam Malik)

It advised members of the Muslim community to refrain from listening to him, reports The Times of India.

The fatwa posted on Darul Uloom’s fatwa department’s website, Darul Ifta read:

He seems ghair muqqalid and his knowledge is not deep. Therefore he is not reliable and Muslims should avoid listening to him.

A group of secular activists also plan to hold a protest meet on 13 July where objectionable parts from his sermons and speeches will be shown to the media.

Currently, we are trying to identify the video clips, which could endanger peace, harmony and incite people to join jihadist movements. There are speeches which also reek of his anti-women thoughts and women activists, too, are aghast at his misogynist views.

Firoze Mithiborewala, Activist

Given mounting pressure from all corners, reports suggest that Naik, who is on a Umrah (mini-Haj) might postpone his 11 July return to Mumbai, though the preacher’s spokesperson has denied such claims.

He will address the media on 12 July and we are finalizing the venue for the press conferences

Spokesperson for Zakir Naik