My Discussion With Dr. Zakir Naik & His IRF [ An Eye-Opener For Truth-Seekers]

     By:  Maulana Muhammad A. K. Azad  [ Abu Arif Al Alawi ]

                               Alhamdulillah!  Finally, Ahle Sunnat Wa Zamaat’s stance on Dr. Zakir Naik that  he is a specialist on comparative religion and not on Islamic Theology is endorsed by Dr. Zakir Naik’s IRF itself officially. Hence, Dr. Naik’s views on “Fiqh and Massail” carry no weight and  one should not ask him questions on these issues. In a discussion with me, Dr. Zakir Naik’s IRF admits that “Fiqh and Massail” are not their speciality; their speciality is “comparative religion” . This humble servant   of Islam sent 16 questions to Dr. Zakir Naik and his IRF on Islamic Theology at  zakir @irf.net and questions@irf.net. On behalf of Dr. Zakir Naik and IRF, Dr. SHUAIB SAYYED  [Manager Research, Islam and Comparative Religion, IRF]  answered . He totally avoided those 16 questions on Islamic Theology arguing that “ your questions are on Fiqh and Masaail” and not on Comparative Religion. Dr. SHUAIB SAYYED  [Manager Research, Islam and Comparative Religion, IRF]  answers On behalf of Dr. Zakir Naik and IRF :

                                 “Jazakallah for your questions. While we certainly answer

                                  questions on Islam and Comparative Religion which are

                                related to Da'wah activities (Conveying the message of Islam

                                to non-Muslims), we do not entertain queries on matters pertaining

                              to Fiqh and Masaail, since our speciality is propagating Islam to

                               non-Muslims i.e. matters pertaining to Islam and Comparative religion.

                             Hence, we regret to inform you that since your questions are on Fiqh

                               and Masaail, we request you to kindly address these questions to a

                               specialist on Fiqh and Masaail.”

                                                  [Dr. SHUAIB SAYYED  , Manager Research, Islam and   comparative Religion, IRF]  

            Now, before presenting the text of discussion between me and Dr. Zakir Naik’s IRF,  I would like to ask a few simple questions to of Dr. Zakir Naik and his IRF . If Dr. Zakir Naik and IRF “do not entertain queries on matters pertaining to Fiqh and Masaail” and Dr. Zakir Naik and IRF’s  “speciality is …..Comparative religion” as is written to me on behalf of Dr. Zakir Naik and IRF and as is written by Dr. Naik on his website that "I am a student of comparative religion." [Source: http://www.peacetv.tv/faq/faq5_26.html ]   ,  then

1.         why does Dr. Zakir Naik freely talks on  issues pertaining to Fiqh and Massail  in his lectures and question answer programmes ?

2.     Why does he not tell everywhere that his “speciality is …..Comparative religion”  and  hence he does not entertain queries on matters pertaining to Fiqh and Masaail”?

3.     Why does he condemn Ahle Sunnat wa Zamaat and call their beliefs and deeds “Shirk”or “ Bidah”? Is it Comparative Religion?

4.     Why does he advocate to abandon following four fiqhi school of thoughts ? Is it Comparative Religion?

5.     Why has he himself created a new firqa called “Ahle Sahih Hadeeth” ? Is it Comparative Religion?

This must be stopped as it is weakening the very spirit of Islam. Dr. Zakir Naik is a specialist on comparative religion and we give him due respect for it. But he is not specialist on Islamic Theology as he  himself and his IRF admit and accordingly,  the dire need of Muslim Ummah at this crucial time is that he should limit his dawah activities on comparative religion and avoid answering questions  on Aqidah  (belief ) and Fiqhi issues  as his answers on these issues only trigger disunity  and confusion among Muslim Ummah. We would also like to appeal to the followers  of Dr. Zakir Naik  to accord the prime importance to the Unity of the Ummah  and not  to stick to hero-worship.

Now, I am presenting below the text of my discussion with Dr. Zakir Naik and  his IRF. My earnest appeal to all is to go through the text of our  discussion and spread the message to the near and dear ones so that hero-worship, firqaparasti and extremism are eliminated and misguided brothers and sisters return to the Ahle Sunnat Wa Zamaat.  At the end, in obedience to the advice of Dr. zakir Naik himself, I would like to ask 15 simple questions to him demanding evidence from him on some core issues discussed by him in order to learn truth only and to eradicate misconceptions and confusions among laymen.

Text : My Discussion With Dr. Zakir Naik & IRF at  zakir @irf.net and questions@irf.net

           [ My Letter No. 01]

BISMILLAHIR  RAHMANIR  RAHIM

    Brother Zakir, Assalamu Alaikum.


    I have been in touch with you and IRF since my early days.
Alhamdulillah. I've read all the books written by you and have
listened most of tour lectures. Your debating power has really charmed
me. In order to be enlightened more, I would like to receive  answers
from you of some complicated questions regarding shirk and bidat.
Hope, you will enlighten me.



  1.     Is kissing Rawza of Rasulullah ( other mazars also) shirk or not?

  2.      Is Taqlid of Imams shirk or not? If somebody makes taqlid of
a particular Imam, is he Mushrik or not?

  3.        Is Prayer  to Allah through wassila of prophets and
awliyas shirk or not? If smebody prays through A prophet or an awliya,
should he be called Mushrik or not?


   4.     Is   seeking help to a Prophet, awliya or any other pious
person shirk or not? If a person seeks help from a prophet or awliya ,
is he Mushrik or not?


   5.     If  A man says to Rasulullah (pbuh) the following words,
what should be our view on him? Is he Mushrik or not?

      " O Exceptional! Among those who can be depended on.
        O Exceptional! Among those who can be depended upon to
eradicate difficulty.
      O Exceptional! Among those whose generosity showers more than rain.
       I indeed testify to the fact that at the time when my heart is
engulfed in this       dilemma,
        You are indeed the one who gives me assistance and consolation".


    6.    If a man says to Rasulullah (pbuh) the following  words,
what should be our view on him?  Is  he Mushrik or not?

  " Ae  mere aaqa,  ae mare sahare, ae mere wasile,
   sakhti aur narmi me mere kam aane wale,
  ...................................
   Aap ke sewa mera koi nahi hain zis se madad mangi zaye
   ...............                                              "


   7.    What about celabrating Miladunnabi? Is it Bidat as well as
shirk or not?

    8.  If somebody considers sufi Muhiuddin Ibne Arabi as Shaykhe
Akbar, is he Mushrik or not?

   9.     If someone believes  in and supports the theory of Wahadatul
Wazud, is he Mushrik or not?

    10.     Some people says,  not only Sahih Hadith but Zaif  and
Hasan ahdith  also are acceptable. What is your advice on this issue?

   11.     What is your view on Maulana Maududi, Dr Israr Ahmed and
Shaikh Ahmed Deedat ? They were pious and pride of Muslims or not?

   12.    Somebody says, you are Wahabi. I don't know  Who are wahabi?
Would tou kindly explain to me Wahabism?


   13.    What is your view on Dr Tahirul qadri? Is he reliable? Is
his Aqida in accordance with Quran & hadeeth?


   14.    I found in a website that Imam ahmed Raza Khan of Breilly
was a great Alim.  Really  was he a great Alim?


  15.     somebody says, Isal e Sawab is permissible. somebody says ,
it is bidah. what is your advice on it?


  16.  Should one offer namaz behind a person or get his sons and
daughters married to him or his family members who makes taqlid of a
particular Imam, prays to Allah through the wasila of Prophets or
Awliyas, addresses dead  Prophets and Awliyas and seeks help from
them, believes in Wahadatul Wazud ?




                   I know, you are very busy. Yet, I hope you will
manage time  to answer my questions and bring me out from the dillema
I have fallen to.

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Reply By Dr. SHUAIB SAYYED  [Manager Research, Islam and Comparative Religion, IRF] , On behalf of Dr. Zakir Naik and IRF]

"Dear Brother,

Wa Alaikum Assalam Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuhu.

I pray to Allah (swt) for your health, happiness and vigor in Islamic spirits. Aameen.

Jazakallah for your questions. While we certainly answer questions on Islam and Comparative Religion which are related to Da'wah activities (Conveying the message of Islam to non-Muslims), we do not entertain queries on matters pertaining to Fiqh and Masaail, since our speciality is propagating Islam to non-Muslims i.e. matters pertaining to Islam and Comparative religion.

Hence, we regret to inform you that since your questions are on Fiqh and Masaail, we request you to kindly address these questions to a specialist on Fiqh and Masaail.

May we also draw your attention to the fact that replies (by Dr. Zakir Abdul-Karim Naik) to common questions posed by non-Muslims about Islam are available on our web site: http://www.irf.net/ in the FAQ section.

Inshallah these will be of tremendous help to you in your Da'wah initiatives.

Once again, thanks for writing to us. If you have any questions on Da’wah related matters on Islam and Comparative Religion, please feel free to email the IRF Research Department at : - questions@irf.net

Some Islamic websites, which answer several questions on Islam including Fiqh and Masaail, are:

http://www.islam-qa.com/
(Provides answers with references to the Qur'an and Sunnah.)

http://www.fatwa-online.com/(Provides answers with references to the Qur'an and Sunnah.)

Also read the book “Fundamentals of Tawheed” by Dr. Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips

May Allah (swt) shower His Choicest Blessings on the entire Muslim Ummah and help us in our mission of bearing witness to the truth of Islam before all mankind. Aameen

With warm regards and salaams from all of us at IRF. Jazakallahu Khairan and Was Salaam,

Yours in the Service of Islam,

Dr. SHUAIB SAYYED

Manager Research, Islam and Comparative Religion

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

           [ My Letter No. 02]

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim

       Assalam Alaikum.

     A few days back , In response to my a volley of questions, you
wrote to me that  you  "do not entertain queries on matters pertaining
to Fiqh and Masaail, since our speciality is propagating Islam to
non-Muslims i.e. matters pertaining to Islam and Comparative
religion".  I was taken aback by this answer because Dr zakir Naik in
his lectures and question answer programes talks freely on this
issues.

     I've been a sincere reader of Dr Zakir Naik's books and Shaykh
Ahmeed Deedat's books from my tender age. I must say, Shaykh Deedat
always worked within his own limitation whereas Brother Naik always
loves to cross his limitation . Although I've been a great admirer of
his debating ability, I think, due to  his  arrogance and audacity he
has  deviated from the path of Ahle Sunnat Wa zamaat.

 You said, Fiqh and Massael is not his field. Then why is he attacking
the beliefs of Ahle Sunnat Wa Zamaat? why is he taunting the Fiqhi
differences among the four great School of thoughts?

   In every issue against Ahle Sunnat Wa zamaat, he demands evidences
from Quran and Sahih Hadith but he himself presents all his cases only
with the help of logic and reason.' If' is his main weapon andwith the
word-game he tries to befool the audiences who is in the darkness of
Islamic theology.

 In a reply to a Christian's question he says, one who obeys Allah is
His son, not by birth but by obedience. Naik calls himself Allah's son
as he obeys Him. What is it? How can he dare to utter such dangerous
words?    Which verse of Al quran or which Hadith can he preesnt as
evidence in support of his strange views? This is not the only case .
In countless cases, he has uttered poisonous views, harmful for his
own as well as the listners' Imaan.


    He says, he only values Sahih Hadith. The status of sahih hadith
is definitely indisputable. But does the usule hadith say that Hasan
Hadith is rejectable ? Does usule hadith say that all types of  Daeef
Hadithes are rejectable outright? If it is not Hadith rejection then
what is hadith rejection?

    My request to Brother Naik is to dwell upon his Aqidah seriously,
make tawba and make necessary correction . It is in the interest of
himself as well as Muslim Ummah.

   ***** I am very humble person and always have been a well wisher
of Brother Naik. I don't have the tiniest intention to hurt him or
grieve him.****

Comment: Dr. Zakir Naik & His IRF have not replied so far to the second letter sent by me though more than two years have passed by since then.

Now My Appeal & Questions To Dr. Zakir Naik & His IRF

               Brother Zakir Naik ! You call yourself “ Ahle Sahih Hadeeth” and the basic criterion of your Movement is that  only Quran and Sahih Hadeeth  deserve to be obeyed and any Scholar’s view carry no value. You say, “ ….anyone says anything about Deen, he should back it up with the reference  from Quran and Sahih Hadith” (Ref :  Zakir Naik Promoting "SHIRK" and "BIDDAH" in Islam!! http://www.youtube.com/user/TheEmpireofFaith#p/u/6/-fJLoo3pc40)  . You say,” Any person any Scholar say anything ask of proof……….What Zakir Naik says has no value what Allah says has value…….what I say carry no weight…..any Scholar say anything ask for proof.” [ Ref. Zakir Naik on Wasila www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSReUdbb].

     Now, in obedience to your advice, I would like to demand reference from Quran and Sahih Hadeeth only from yourself on the following 15 burning issues pertaining to “Fiqh and Massail”. I Hope you will provide reference and proof in support of your standpoint on these issues. I assure you that once you provide reference from Quran and saheeh Hadeeth, I would accept your dawah of Ahle Sahih Hadeeth. But if you fail to back up your answers with reference from Quran and Sahih Hadeeth, I would respectfully appeal you to make tawba, stop answering to issues pertaining to “Fiqh and Massail”and to return to the Ahle Sunnat wa zamaat.

Question No 01 to Dr. Zakir Naik & His IRF:  Brother Zakir Naik!  You say, “ ….anyone says anything about Deen, he should back it up with the reference  from Quran and Sahih Hadith …, any scholar after he says anything if he does not refer to these sources, whatever he says, does not carry weightn”.

               Now I beg to learn from you, in which verse of Quran or in which Sahih Hadeeth this criterion is mentioned? Would you kindly reveal,  from Surah Fatiha to Surah An-Nas of Al- Quran------ in which verse or In which Sahih Hadeeth Allah Almighty or His beloved Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam has communicated the criterion that except Quran and Sahih Hadeeth nothing deserve to be valued?

Question No 02 to Dr. Zakir Naik & His IRF: Brother Zakir Naik! On one hand you  criticize four great fiqhi school of thoughts like Hanafi, Shafie, Maliki and Hanbali arguing that “To create Firqa is haram”. On the other hand, you say, “I call myself Ahle Sahih Hadith” (Ref : Debate between Dr Naik and Maulana Hamid Rahmani. Mp3, dr _Zakir_ahlehadees_1. Released by www.asliahlesunnat.com).

                Now I beg to learn from you, in which verse of Quran or in which Sahih Hadeeth, instruction has been given to create “Ahle Sahih Hadith” firqa?

Question No 03 to Dr. Zakir Naik & His IRF:  Brother Zakir Naik! You say, “there are a thousand things I can list which God almighty can't do ….” (REF:  Is Quraan Word of God, from the CD-"Presenting Islaam and Clarifying Misconceptions). Allahu Akbar!

Now I beg to learn from you, in which verse of Quran or in which Sahih Hadeeth these evil words are  written that Allah cannot do a thousand things?

Question No 04 to Dr. Zakir Naik & His IRF:  Brother Zakir Naik! You say, “We muslims have got no objection if anyone calls”  Allah as “Brahma”, “Vishnu” etc. (REF:  Is Quraan Word of God, from the CD-"Presenting Islaam and Clarifying Misconceptions)

                                Now I beg to learn from you, in which verse of Quran or in which Sahih Hadeeth permission has been given to call Allah as “Brahma”, “Vishnu” etc?

Question No 05 to Dr. Zakir Naik & His IRF:   Brother Zakir Naik! In a reply to a Christian's question about Jesus Christ's being Son of Allah, you said  that one who obeys Allah is His son, not by birth but by obedience. You called yourself too Allah's son as you obey Him. Thus all who obey Allah are, according to you,are His sons. [ Ref: Zakir naik says IM SON OF GOD  www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnHjMCSbFxU‎]

             

Now I beg to learn from you, in which verse of Quran or in which Sahih Hadeeth this explanation is mentioned that one who obeys Allah is His son?

Question No 06 to Dr. Zakir Naik & His IRF:   Brother Zakir Naik! You say"there are 25 verses in Quran Mazeed where it is written that   Shifa meaning waseelah/ shifaarish is Haraam".  [link: http://www.cifiaonline.com/apps/videos/show/10778621 ]

                             Now I beg to learn from you the 25 verses of Al Quran where wassila is declared haram. Brother! This statement appears to be a white lie. Would you kindly oblige us by quoting these 25 Quranic verses? Allah says: Say: ‘People who invent lies against Allah will not be successful.’ (Qur'an 10:69)

Question No 07 to Dr. Zakir Naik & His IRF: Brother Zakir Naik! You say, “.by definition I am a jew”. [ Ref: Symposium- religion in the right perspective------"Presenting Islaam  and Clarifying Misconceptions ]

Now I beg to learn from you, in which verse of Quran or in which Sahih  Hadeeth permission has been granted to Muslims to call one “jew” by definition?

Question No 08 to Dr. Zakir Naik & His IRF:  Brother Zakir Naik! You say, “.I am a Christian.” [Ref: Symposium- religion in the right perspective------"Presenting Islaam  and Clarifying Misconceptions ]

      Now I beg to learn from you, in which verse of Quran or in which Sahih  Hadeeth permission has been granted to Muslims to call one Christian.”?

Question No 09 to Dr. Zakir Naik & His IRF:  Brother Zakir Naik! You say, “If you mean ‘a Prophet’ is a person who is chosen and purified, then …...According to Islam, there are 4 Prophet women, besides Bibi Mariyam and Bibi Asiya (may Allah be pleased with them) – The other the examples are of Bibi Fatema and Bibi Khatija, (May Allah be pleased with them both).

              Now I beg to learn from you, in which verse of Quran or in which Sahih  Hadeeth licence has been granted to use 'IF' as a weapon to make one’s own definition of Nabi? In which verse of Quran or in which Sahih  Hadeeth it is said that “a Prophet’ is a person who is chosen and purified” ? I n which verse of Quran or in which Sahih  Hadeeth, it is mentioned that “According to Islam, there are 4 Prophet women” ? Is it not a direct attack on Khatme  Nabuwat on the footsteps of Ghulam Ahmed Qadiyani who debated a lot with the Christians and non-Muslims and later on claimed himself to be a Prophet?

Question No 10 to Dr. Zakir Naik & His IRF:  Brother Zakir Naik! You say, “A man in paradise will have a hoor that is a beautiful maiden with beautiful big and lustrous eyes and a woman in paradise will get a man with beautiful big and lustrous eyes.”[ Ref: (Womens rights in islaam ? modernising or outdated-- ------"Presenting  Islaam and Clarifying Misconceptions ?]

Now I beg to learn from you, in which verse of Quran or in which Sahih  Hadeeth this explanation is given that “A man in paradise will have a hoor that is a beautiful maiden with beautiful big and lustrous eyes and a woman in paradise will get a man with beautiful big and lustrous eyes.”?

   

Question No 11 to Dr. Zakir Naik & His IRF:  Brother Zakir Naik! You say, “that there is a hadith in Bukhari, "those people who will conquer Constantinople they will go heaven and Yazeed was the commander".[ Ref: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIqgyHcbojw]

Now I beg to learn from you the exact reference with Arabic Text from Sahih Bukhari where it is written that "those people who will conquer Constantinople they will go heaven and Yazeed was the commander"?  Attributing lie to the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wa sallam is an unpardonable crime.

                                Question No 12 to Dr. Zakir Naik & His IRF  :  Brother Zakir Naik !  In an attempt to defend the Salafi  viewpoint on Talaq, you said that : “ Quran Says, Even If Three Talaqs Are Given Together, It’ll Be One Talaq”(Quran kahta hain ki tin talaq ek sath me bhi denge to ek hi hota hain.”) [ Ref: Dr. Zakir Naik - Triple Talaq (urdu)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEEOSmobuvM&feature=related]

Now I beg to learn from you, in which verse Allah Almighty has said that , “Even If Three Talaqs Are Given Together, It’ll Be One Talaq”? Allah says: Say: ‘People who invent lies against Allah will not be successful.’ (Qur'an 10:69).

Question No 13 to Dr. Zakir Naik & His IRF:  Brother Zakir Naik! You use tie and you always try to justify its use. I beg to learn from you, in which verse of Quran or in which Sahih  Hadeeth tie has been declared permissible?

Question No 14 to Dr. Zakir Naik & His IRF: Brother Zakir Naik! You are  adored  by your fans as "Allamatul Muslimin”. I beg to learn from you, which verse of Quran or which Sahih  Hadeeth justifies the use of this title "Allamatul Muslimin”?

Question No 15 to Dr. Zakir Naik & His IRF:  Brother Zakir Naik! In your programmes, particularly in question-answer sessions, whenever you finish answering, your followers applaud it by clapping. Some people are of the view that clapping in this way is unwanted in Islamic programmes.  I beg to learn from you, which verse of Quran or which Sahih  Hadeeth justifies clapping in appreciation of answers by a scholar ?

                         Brother Zakir Naik ! We will wait for your response thirstily. Please no logic ! No argument! No Quarrelling! Only reference, my dear brother as you say, ““Any person any Scholar say anything ask of proof……….What Zakir Naik says has no value what Allah says has value…….what I say carry no weight…..any Scholar say anything ask for proof”. [ Ref. Zakir Naik on Wasila www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSReUdbb].  Allah instructs : “...Say, ‘Produce your evidence if you are telling the truth.’ (Qur'an 2:111).” If you can’t, in the interest of Muslim Ummah,  please just stick to comparative religion and  avoid  issues relating to “Fiqh and Massail” as your IRF avoids and admits  in discussion with me: “While we certainly answer questions on Islam and Comparative Religion which are related to Da'wah activities (Conveying the message of Islam to non-Muslims), we do not entertain queries on matters pertaining  to Fiqh and Masaail, since our speciality is propagating Islam to non-Muslims i.e. matters pertaining to Islam and Comparative religion. Hence, we regret to inform you that since your questions are on Fiqh and Masaail, we request you to kindly address these questions to a specialist on Fiqh and Masaail.” [Dr. SHUAIB SAYYED  , Manager Research, Islam and   comparative Religion, IRF]  

                                                      Wa Maa alaina Illal Balagh.

                               

                               

                             

                               .