5 Important Things You Need To Know About Popular Islamic Comparative Preacher, Dr Zakir Naik

Islam has produced great scholars whose knowledge are unimaginable and have stunned the world on many occasions with their gift of knowledge. 

The popular Islamic comparative preacher, Dr Zakir Naik is no doubt one of them. Born, Zakir Abdul Karim Naik on October 18, 1965. 

Dr Zakir Naik is no doubt one face many millions Muslims across the world always like to see and hear his preaching especially his comparative dialogue with other scholars of religions across the world. 

In this article, we shall unveil five important things you need to know about your favourite comparative preacher. 

1. Dr Zakir Naik Hails From India: Dr Zakir Naik wasn't just living in India, he hails from India. He was born on October 18, 1965 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Despite the fact that the Muslims are the minority in India, Dr Zakir Naik was able to have firm Islamic knowledge of Quran, Fikh, Hadith and a considerable knowledge of Indian Bhagavad Vita, New Testament, Old Testament amongst others which help him in his comparative preaching.

2. He is a trained Medical Doctor: What many people never knew about Dr Zakir Naik is that he is a trained Medical Doctor. He attended the prestigious Kishinchand Chellaram College and studied medicine at the famous Topiwala National Medical College & BYL Nair Charitable Hospital. He later proceeded to the University of Mumbai where he bagged a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS).

3. Dr Zakir Naik Was Inspired By Ahmad Deedat: In 2006, he revealed that he was inspired by the first Islamic comparative preacher, Ahmed Deedat after he met him in 1987 to start comparative preaching. 

Dr Zakir Naik, however, started as a comparative preacher in 1991 even after becoming a certified medical doctor, a profession he abandoned to concentrate on the spreading of the gospel of Islam. Zakir Naik is often described as "Deedat plus", a title that was given to him by Dr Ahmad Deedat before his demise.

4. He is the founder of popular Islamic Channel, Peace TV and also founder and President of Islamic Research Foundation (IRF): In his quest to spread the message of Islam, Dr Zakir Naik founded the popular Islamic channel, Peace TV which captures his Dawah across the world and also treat important issues on Islam through the television channel. 

His Islamic Research Foundation has successfully trained a number of Muslims including children who are notable preachers and knowledgeable in Islam. IRF as it's called also has charity organization which help the poor people across the world. 

Zakir Nail is also the founder of Islamic International School in Mumbai and United Islamic Aid which is known for providing scholarship for poor Muslim youth.

5. Dr Zakir Naik is currently Banned In His Country, India: The respected Islamic scholar is currently banned from entering India by Indian government over allegation bordering on his preaching and other issues. His Television Channel, Peace TV, was first banned in India in 2012 before the Indian government revoked his passport on July 18, 2017 after a recommendation from the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

After several attempts by the Indian government for Interpol to issue a Red Corner Notice against the respected Islamic preacher, in July 2019, Interpol refused to issue a Red Corner Notice against Zakir Naik for the third consecutive time.

He is currently living in Malaysia as a permanent resident though not allowed to preach. Dr Zakir Naik has also been granted citizenship by the government of Saudi Arabia. 

He has written several books amomgst which are; Quran and the modern Science, Answer to Non-Muslims Questions About Islam, The Qur'an and The Bible In The Light Of Science amongst several others.