1 My Response to Zakir Naik Regarding the Killing of Innocent People The following is my response to an answer by Dr. Zakir Naik, Founder and President of the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) (Wikipedia, n.d.a), to a young unbeliever at a recent conference [2013], where he was asked: "With what's happening in Pakistan, Iraq, Afghanistan, just to name a few, I'm not stereotyping, I hope no-one takes offence, but when you hear on the news, that a woman is cooking food for her kids and a suicide-bomber comes and kills them: I want to ask you a simple question, What is that? Is that Islam, or is that people who do not understand what Islam is?" (Suhail, 2013) To this, Dr. Naik responded, explaining the official ruling of Islam: 2 "What the media is saying, forget about it. I will give you the ruling of Islam. Nevermind what the media say is right or wrong. The Quran says in Surra Al Ma'idah, chapter number 5, verse number 32, 'If anyone kills any other human being, unless it be for murder, or for spreading corruption in the land, it is as if you have killed the whole of humanity'. Any person kills any other human being, whether Muslim or non-Muslim, unless it be for murder, or for spreading corruption in the land, it is as if you've killed the whole of humanity. And if any human being saves another human being, it is as though you have saved the whole nation. So, according to the Quran, killing any single, innocent, human being is prohibited. If a suicide-bomber comes, and kills a woman who is cooking innocent, it is 100% prohibited, whether in Pakistan or Afghanistan or America or Dubai... Whoever is doing it, whether namesake Muslim or American ... it is totally prohibited." - Zakir Naik, "An Atheist asked a good question then argued and challenged Dr Zakir Naik" (Suhail, 2013) That is true According to Surat Al Ma'idah chapter 5 verses 32 to 33, a Muslim may only kill another human being, if they are guilty of murder or corruption: "Because of that, We decreed upon the Children of Israel that whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land - it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one - it is as if he had saved mankind entirely. And our messengers had certainly come to them with clear proofs. Then indeed many of them, [even] after that, throughout the land, were transgressors. Indeed, The penalty for those who wage war against Allah and his 3 messenger and strive upon earth [to cause] corruption is none but that they be killed or crucified or that their hands and feet be cut off from opposite sides or that they be exiled from the land. That is for them a disgrace in this world; and for them in the Hereafter is a great punishment, ..." - Surra Al Ma'idah chapter 5 verse 32 (Sahih International, n.d.a) BUT that is only half of the truth. Here is what Dr. Naik so selectively failed to mention, namely the Quran's definition of "corruption" The Quran's Definition of 'Corruption' According to the Quran, All Non-Muslims are Corrupt "Allah has set a seal upon their hearts and upon their hearing, and over their vision is a veil. And for them is a great punishment. And of the people are some who say, 'We believe in Allah and the Last Day,' But they are not believers. They [think to] deceive Allah and those who believe, but they deceive not except themselves and perceive [it] not. In their hearts is disease, so Allah has increased their disease; and for them is a painful punishment because they [habitually] used to lie. And when it is said to them, 'Do not cause corruption on the earth,' they say, 'We are but reformers.' Unquestionably, it is they who are the corrupters, but they perceive [it] not. And when it is said to them, 'Believe as the people have believed,' they say, 'Should we believe as the foolish have believed?' Unquestionably, it is they who are the foolish, 4 but they know [it] not." - Surat Al-Baqarah chapter 2 verse 7 to 13 [Sahih International Translation] "Indeed, those who have believed and emigrated and fought with their wealth and lives in the cause of Allah and those who gave shelter and aided - they are allies of one another. But those who believed and did not emigrate - for you there is no guardianship of them until they emigrate. And if they seek help of you for the religion, then you must help, except against a people between yourselves and whom is a treaty. And Allah is Seeing of what you do. And those who disbelieve are allies of one another. If you do not do so, there will be fitnah on earth and great corruption. But those who have believed and emigrated and fought in the cause of Allah and those who gave shelter and aided - it is they who are the believers, truly. For them is forgiveness and noble provision." - Surat Al- 'Anfal chapter 8 verses 72 to 74 [Sahih International Translation] "And of them are those who believe in it, and of them are those who do not believe in it. And your lord is most knowing of the corrupters" - Surat Yunus chapter 10 verse 40 [Sahih International Translation] "They said, 'Have you come to us to turn us away from that upon which we found our fathers and so that you two may have grandeur in the land? And we are not believers in you.' And Pharaoh said, 'Bring to me every learned magician.' So when the magicians came, Moses said to them, 'Throw down whatever you will throw.' And when they had thrown, Moses said, 'What you have brought is [only] magic. Indeed, Allah will expose its worthlessness. Indeed, Allah does not amend the work of corrupters.'" - Surat 5 Yunus chapter 10 verses 78 to 81 [Sahih International Translation] In other words, all non-Muslims are corrupt, and therefore, 'deserving of death' According to the Quran, All Jews are Corrupt "And He will teach him the Book, and (the) Wisdom, and the Tawrah (The book revealed to musa 'Moses', of which the extant Torah is a corruption) and the Injil (The Book revealed to Isa 'Jesus', of which the extant Gospel is a corruption)." - Surat 'Ali'Imran chapter 3 verse 48 [Dr. Ghali Translation] "Why do THE RABBIS and religious scholars not forbid them from saying what is sinful and devouring what is unlawful? How wretched is what they have been practicing. And the Jews say, 'The hand of Allah is chained.' Chained are their hands, and cursed are they for what they say. Rather, both His hands are extended; He spends however He wills. And that which has been revealed to you from your Lord will surely increase many of them in transgression and disbelief. And We have cast among them animosity and hatred until the Day of Resurrection. Every time they kindled the fire of war [against you], Allah extinguished it. And they strive throughout the land [causing] corruption, and Allah does not like corrupters." - Surat Al-Ma'idah chapter 5 verses 63 to 64 [Sahih International Translation] In other words, all Jews are corrupt, and therefore, 'deserving of death' According to the Quran, All of Christianity is Corrupt 6 "And He will teach him the Book, and (the) Wisdom, and the Tawrah (The Book revealed to Musa 'Moses', of which the extant Torah is a corruption) and the Injil (The book revealed to Isa 'Jesus', of which the extant Gospel is a corruption)." - Surat 'Ali'Imran chapter 3 verse 48 [Dr. Ghali Translation] In other words, all Christians are corrupt, and therefore, 'deserving of death' According to the Quran, All Former Muslims are Corrupt "Who break the covenant of Allah after contracting it and sever that which Allah has ordered to be joined and cause corruption on earth. It is those who are the losers. How can you disbelieve in Allah when you were lifeless and He brought you to life; Then He will cause you to die, then He will bring you [back] to life, and then to Him you will be returned." - Surat Al-Baqarah chapter 2 verses 27 to 28 [Sahih International Translation] "Indeed, this is the true narration. And there is no deity except Allah. And indeed, Allah is the Exalted in Might, the Wise. But if they turn away, then indeed - allah is knowing of the corrupters. Say, 'O People of the Scripture, come to a word that is equitable between us and you - that we will not worship except Allah and not associate anything with Him and not take one another as lords instead of Allah.' But if they turn away, then say, 'Bear witness that we are Muslims [submitting to Him].'" - Surat Al-Baqarah chapter 3 verses 62 to 64 [Sahih International Translation] 7 In other words, all former Muslims are corrupt, and therefore, 'deserving of death' That would explain why "those who turn their back on Islam are to be executed." (The Religion of Peace, n.d.a) "They wish that you reject Faith, as they have rejected (Faith), and thus that you all become equal (like one another). So take not Auliya' (protectors or friends) from them, till they emigrate in the Way of Allah (to Muhammad SAW). But if they turn back (from Islam), take (hold) of them and kill them wherever you find them, and take neither Auliya' (protectors or friends) nor helpers from them." - Surat An-Nisa' chapter 4 verse 89 [Muhsin Khan Translation] The reason why executing apostates has always been entrenched in Islamic law, is because there is an indisputable record of Muhammad and his companions doing exactly that, according to the reliable Hadith. According to Surat An-Nisa' chapter 4 verse 80 of the Quran, "He who obeys the Messenger (Muhammad SAW), has indeed obeyed Allah" (Muhsin Khan). That begs the question: What did the 'prophet' Muhammad, say concerning Muslim apostates? "... The Prophet said, 'If somebody (a Muslim) discards his religion, kill him.'" - Muhammad al-Bukhari, "Volume 4, Book 52, Number 260" (al-Bukhārī, 846a) as quoted by The Religion of Peace, "What Does Islam Teach About Apostasy?" (The Religion of Peace, n.d.a) 8 "Allah's Apostle never killed anyone except in one of the following three situations: (1) A person who killed somebody unjustly, was killed (in Qisas,) (2) a married person who committed illegal sexual intercourse and (3) a man who fought against Allah and His Apostle and deserted Islam and became an apostate." - Muhammad al-Bukhari, "Volume 9, Book 83, Number 37" (al-Bukhārī, 846b) as quoted by The Religion of Peace, "What Does Islam Teach About Apostasy?" (The Religion of Peace, n.d.a) "Some Zanadiqa (atheists) were brought to ‘Ali and he burnt them. The news of this event, reached Ibn ‘Abbas who said, “If I had been in his place, I would not have burnt them, as Allah’s Apostle forbade it, saying, ‘Do not punish anybody with Allah’s punishment (fire).’ I would have killed them according to the statement of Allah’s Apostle, ‘Whoever changed his Islamic religion, then kill him.'” - Muhammad al-Bukhari, "Volume 9, Book 84, Number 57" (al-Bukhārī, 846c) as quoted by The Religion of Peace, "What Does Islam Teach About Apostasy?" (The Religion of Peace, n.d.a) "A man embraced Islam and then reverted back to Judaism. Mu'adh bin Jabal came and saw the man with Abu Musa. Mu'adh asked, 'What is wrong with this (man)?' Abu Musa replied, 'He embraced Islam and then reverted back to Judaism.' Mu'adh said, 'I will not sit down unless you kill him (as it is) the verdict of Allah and His Apostle'" - Muhammad al-Bukhari, "Volume 9, Book 89, Number 271" (al-Bukhārī, 846d) as quoted by The Religion of Peace, "What Does Islam Teach About Apostasy?" (The Religion of Peace, n.d.a) 9 "Behold: There was a fettered man beside Abu Muisa. Mu'adh asked, 'Who is this (man)?' Abu Muisa said, 'He was a Jew and became a Muslim and then reverted back to Judaism.' Then Abu Muisa requested Mu'adh to sit down but Mu'adh said, 'I will not sit down till he has been killed. this is the judgment of Allah and His Apostle (for such cases) and repeated it thrice. then Abu Musa ordered that the man be killed, and he was killed." - Muhammad al- Bukhari, "Volume 9, Book 84, Number 58" (al-Bukhārī, 846e) as quoted by The Religion of Peace, "What Does Islam Teach About Apostasy?" (The Religion of Peace, n.d.a) "No doubt I heard Allah's Apostle saying, 'During the last days there will appear some young foolish people who will say the best words but their faith will not go beyond their throats (i.e. they will have no faith) and will go out from (leave) their religion as an arrow goes out of the game. so, where-ever you find them, kill them, for who-ever kills them shall have reward on the day of resurrection." - Muhammad al-Bukhari, "Volume 9, Book 84, Number 64" (al-Bukhārī, 846f) as quoted by The Religion of Peace, "What Does Islam Teach About Apostasy?" (The Religion of Peace, n.d.a) "Was not there a wise man among you who would stand up to him when he saw that I had withheld my hand from accepting his allegiance, and kill him?" - Abu Dawud 4346 as quoted by The Religion of Peace, "What Does Islam Teach About Apostasy?" (The Religion of Peace, n.d.a) 1 "When a person who has reached puberty and is sane voluntarily apostatizes from Islam, he deserves to be killed." - Reliance of the Traveller (Islamic Law) o8.1) 2 10 The only freedom of religion in Islam is the freedom to become a Muslim Yet, some Islamic scholars believe, that apostates should only be executed if they "rebel against the Islamic society or religion" (Wikipedia, n.d.a), or as Dr. Naik himself puts it, "propagate the non-Islamic faith and speak against Islam" (Haveeru Daily, 2010; Naik, 2010) AGAIN, that is only half of the truth. Here is what Dr. Naik so deceptively failed to mention, namely the Quran's definition of "rebellion" The Quran's Definition of 'Rebellion' According to the Quran, All Non-Muslims are Rebels "Evil is that for which they sell their souls: that they should disbelieve in that which Allah hath revealed, grudging that Allah should reveal of His bounty unto whom He will of His slaves. They have incurred anger upon anger. For disbelievers is a shameful doom. And when it is said unto them: Believe in that which Allah hath revealed, they say: We believe in that which was revealed unto us. And they disbelieve in that which cometh after it, though it is the truth confirming that which they possess. Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Why then slew ye the prophets of Allah aforetime, if ye are (indeed) believers? And Moses came unto you with clear proofs (of Allah's Sovereignty), yet, while he was away, ye chose the calf (for worship) and ye were wrong-doers. And when We made with you a covenant and caused the Mount to tower above you, 11 (saying): Hold fast by that which We have given you, and hear (Our Word), they said: we hear and we rebel. And (worship of) the calf was made to sink into their hearts because of their rejection (of the covenant). Say (unto them): Evil is that which your belief enjoineth on you, if ye are believers." - Surat Al-Baqarah chapter 2 verses 90 to 93 [Pickthall Translation] "'Whoever is an enemy to Allah, His Angels, His Messengers, Jibrael (Gabriel) and Mikael (Michael), then verily, Allah is an enemy to the disbelievers.' And indeed We have sent down to you manifest Ayat (these Verses of the Quran which inform in detail about the news of the Jews and their secret intentions, etc.), and none disbelieve in them but Fasiqun (those who rebel against Allah's command). Is it not (the case) that every time they make a covenant, some party among them throw it aside? Nay! the truth is MOST OF THEM BELIEVE NOT." - Surat Al-Baqarah chapter 2 verses 98 to 100 [Muhsin Khan Translation] "Let the people of the Gospel judge by what Allah hath revealed therein. If any do fail to judge by (the light of) what Allah hath revealed, they are (no better than) those who rebel." - Surat Al-Ma'idah chapter 5 verse 47 [Yusuf Ali Translation] "Thus is the Word of your Lord justified against those who rebel (disobey Allah) that they will not believe (in the Oneness of Allah and in Muhammad SAW as the Messenger of Allah)." - Surat Yunus chapter 10 verse 33 [Muhsin Khan Translation] In other words, all non-Muslims live in rebellion to Allah, and therefore, 'deserving of death' 12 According to the Quran, All Former Muslims are Rebels "Say: O People of the Scripture! Stress not in your religion other than the truth, and follow not the vain desires of folk who erred of old and led many astray, and erred from a plain road. Those of the Children of Israel who went astray were cursed by the tongue of David, and of Jesus, son of Mary. That was because they rebelled and used to transgress." - Surat Al-Ma'idah chapter 5 verses 77 to 78 [Pickthall Translation] In other words, all former Muslims rebelled against Allah, and therefore, 'deserving of death' According to the Quran, the Jews are Rebels "And ask them (O Muhammad SAW) about the town that was by the sea, when they transgressed in the matter of the Sabbath (i.e. Saturday): when their fish came to them openly on the Sabbath day, and did not come to them on the day they had no Sabbath. Thus We made a trial of them for they used to rebel (see the Quran: V.4:154). And when a community among them said: 'Why do you preach to a people whom Allah is about to destroy or to punish with a severe torment?' (The preachers) said: 'In order to be free from guilt before your Lord (Allah), and perhaps they may fear Allah.' So when they forgot the remindings that had been given to them, We rescued those who forbade evil, but We seized those who did wrong with a severe torment because they used to rebel (disobey Allah). So when they exceeded the limits of what they were prohibited, We said to them: 'Be you monkeys, despised and rejected.' (It is a severe warning to the mankind that 13 they should not disobey what Allah commands them to do, and be far away from what He prohibits them). And (remember) when your Lord declared that He would certainly keep on sending against them (i.e. the Jews), till the Day of Resurrection, those who would afflict them with a humiliating torment. Verily, your Lord is Quick in Retribution (for the disobedient, wicked) and certainly He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful (for the obedient and those who beg Allah's Forgiveness). And We have broken them (i.e. the Jews) up into various separate groups on the earth, some of them are righteous and some are away from that. And We tried them with good (blessings) and evil (calamities) in order that they might turn (to Allah's Obedience)." - Surat Al-'A'raf chapter 7 verses 163 to 168 [Muhsin Khan Translation] In other words, the Jews live in rebellion to Allah, and therefore, 'deserving of death' According to the Quran, those Disobedient to Allah are Rebels "But those who did wrong changed the word from that which had been told to them for another, so We sent upon the wrong-doers Rijzan (a punishment) from the heaven because of their rebelling against Allah's obedience. (Tafsir At-Tabari, Vol. I, Page 305)." - Surat Al-Baqarah chapter 2 verse 59 [Muhsin Khan Translation) "And ask them (O Muhammad SAW) about the town that was by the sea, when they transgressed in the matter of the Sabbath (i.e. Saturday): when their fish came to them openly on the Sabbath day, and did not come to them on the day they had no Sabbath. Thus We made a trial of 14 them for they used to rebel (see the Quran: V.4:154). And when a community among them said: 'Why do you preach to a people whom Allah is about to destroy or to punish with a severe torment?' (The preachers) said: 'In order to be free from guilt before your Lord (Allah), and perhaps they may fear Allah.' So when they forgot the remindings that had been given to them, We rescued those who forbade evil, but We seized those who did wrong with a severe torment because they used to rebel (disobey Allah). So when they exceeded the limits of what they were prohibited, We said to them: 'Be you monkeys, despised and rejected.' (It is a severe warning to the mankind that they should not disobey what Allah commands them to do, and be far away from what He prohibits them). And (remember) when your Lord declared that He would certainly keep on sending against them (i.e. the Jews), till the Day of Resurrection, those who would afflict them with a humiliating torment. Verily, your Lord is Quick in Retribution (for the disobedient, wicked) and certainly He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful (for the obedient and those who beg Allah's Forgiveness). And We have broken them (i.e. the Jews) up into various separate groups on the earth, some of them are righteous and some are away from that. And We tried them with good (blessings) and evil (calamities) in order that they might turn (to Allah's Obedience)." - Surat Al-'A'raf chapter 7 verses 163 to 168 [Muhsin Khan Translation] "But when He delivered them, behold! They rebel (disobey Allah) in the earth wrongfully. O mankind! Your rebellion (disobedience to Allah) is only against your ownselves, - a brief enjoyment of this worldly life, then (in the end) unto Us is your return, and We shall inform you that which you 15 used to do." - Surat Yunus chapter 10 verse 23 [Muhsin Khan Translation] "Thus is the Word of your Lord justified against those who rebel (disobey Allah) that they will not believe (in the Oneness of Allah and in Muhammad SAW as the Messenger of Allah)." - Surat Yunus chapter 10 verse 33 [Muhsin Khan Translation] In other words, all the disobedient live in rebellion to Allah, and therefore, 'deserving of death' According to the Quran, Shaitan (Satan) is a Rebel "They (all those who worship others than Allah) invoke nothing but female deities besides Him (Allah), and they invoke nothing but Shaitan (Satan), a persistent rebel!" - Surat An-Nisa' chapter 4 verse 117 [Muhsin Khan Translation] "O my father! Worship not Shaitan (Satan). Verily! Shaitan (Satan) has been a rebel against the most beneficent (Allah)." (Surat Maryam 19v44, Muhsin Khan) In other words, Satan lives in rebellion to Allah, and therefore, 'deserving of death' Good luck with that endeavour. Conclusion Technically-speaking, therefore, Naik is correct, "according to the Quran, killing any single, innocent, human being is prohibited." (Suhail, 2013) – the only "innocent" human beings, however, being Muslim. 16 The honest answer to the young man’s question, therefore, should have been, “Yes, that is Islam, properly understood.” Questions & Answers Herewith my answer to the usual questions. Why is this important? Well, I am particularly fond of my right hand, and left foot. And then there is ... my life AND yours. Islam is everything, but "a religion of peace" Mark my words, the pretence will disappear as soon as they rule – as was the case with Judaism and Christianity. Footnotes 1. Muhammad is chastising his companions for allowing an apostate to 'repent' under duress. The person in question was Muhammad's former scribe who left him after doubting the authenticity of 'divine revelations' upon finding out that he could suggest grammatical changes. He was brought back to Muhammad after having been captured in Medina. 2. Reliance of the Traveller (Islamic Law) o8.4 affirms that there is no penalty for killing an apostate. References 1. al-Bukhārī, M.I. (846a) Sahih Bukhari Volume 4, Book 52, Hadith Number 260 https://hadithcollection.com/sahihbukhari/sahih-bukhari- 17 book-52-fighting-for-the-cause-of-allah-jihaad/sahih- bukhari-volume-004-book-052-hadith-number-260 ✔️ 2. al-Bukhārī, M.I. (846b) Sahih Bukhari, Volume 9, Book 83, Number 37 . https://quranx.com/Hadith/Bukhari/USC- MSA/Volume-9/Book-83/Hadith-37 ✔️ 3. al-Bukhārī, M.I. (846c) Sahih Bukhari, Volume 9, Book 84, Number 57 . https://quranx.com/Hadith/Bukhari/USC- MSA/Volume-9/Book-84/Hadith-57 ✔️ 4. al-Bukhārī, M.I. (846d) Sahih Bukhari, Volume 9, Book 89, Number 271 . https://quranx.com/Hadith/Bukhari/USC- MSA/Volume-9/Book-89/Hadith-271 ✔️ 5. al-Bukhārī, M.I. (846e) Sahih Bukhari, Volume 9, Book 84, Number 58 . https://quranx.com/Hadith/Bukhari/USC- MSA/Volume-9/Book-84/Hadith-58 ✔️ 6. al-Bukhārī, M.I. (846f) Sahih Bukhari, Volume 9, Book 84, Number 64 . https://quranx.com/Hadith/Bukhari/USC- MSA/Volume-9/Book-84/Hadith-64 ✔️ 7. Haveeru Daily (2010, May 30) Maldivian renounces Islam, gets attacked by Zakir Naik audience https://www.haveeru.com.mv/news/30405 ✔️ 8. Naik, Z. (2010, May 28) Transcript of Dr Zakir Naik's response to Mohamed Nazim [PDF] https://minivannewsarchive.com/files/2010/05/Dr_Zakir_N aik_and_Nazim-1.pdf 9. Sahih International (n.d.a) Surra Al Ma'idah Chapter 5 Verse 32 . https://quran.com/5/32-33 ✔️ 18 10. Suhail, U. (2013, May 15) An Atheist asked a good question then argued and challenged Dr Zakir Naik BUT GREAT REPLIES [YouTube] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q- oxDUG9DQg ✔️ 11. The Religion of Peace (n.d.a) What Does Islam Teach About Apostasy? https://www.thereligionofpeace.com/pages/quran/aposta sy.aspx ✔️ 12. Wikipedia (n.d.a) Apostasy in Islam https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostasy_in_Islam ✔️ Revisions 17.04.2025 / 20.12.2025