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Zakir Naik (Islamic Preacher) Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 21, 2026 • 3 min read

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Quick Info

Date of birth18 October 1965

Age59 Years (as of 2024)

BirthplaceMumbai, Maharashtra, India

ProfessionPublic Speaker

NationalitySaudi Arabian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseFarhat Naik

FamilySon - Fariq Naik; Daughter - Rushdaa Naik

Zakir Naik (Islamic Preacher) Biography

Zakir Abdul Karim Naik is an Islamic preacher known for his public speaking, founding the Islamic Research Foundation and launching Peace TV. Born in 1965,

Early life and background

Zakir Abdul Karim Naik was born on 18 October 1965 in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Raised in the city he still cites as his hometown, he attended St. Peter’s High School and later enrolled at Kishinchand Chellaram College and Topiwala National Medical College & BYL Nair Charitable Hospital, institutions affiliated with the University of Mumbai. His formal medical training culminated in an MBBS degree.

Career

Naik began his public work in the field of Dawah in 1991 and built a reputation as a forceful public speaker. He founded the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) and went on to establish Peace TV, platforms through which he delivered lectures, debates, and religious outreach. His speaking style and comparative approach drew large audiences and made him one of the most visible Islamic preachers from the Indian subcontinent.

Over the years Naik received several honours and recognitions for his work. He was the recipient of the King Faisal International Prize for Service to Islam in 2015 and was named Islamic Personality of the Year at the Dubai International Holy Quran Award in 2013. Publications and compilations in the field also included him in listings such as The 500 Most Influential Muslims in multiple editions, and The Indian Express placed him on a list of powerful Indians in 2010.

Public profile

Naik is known for his reading and writing interests and for enjoying Islamic spiritual music. He identifies with Islam and has cited the Quran as a central text for his work. He has described Ahmed Deedat as an important influence and has said that he entered public preaching after meeting Deedat in 1987. Physically, available public information lists his height at about 1.73 m (5'8") and weight near 70 kg (154 lbs), with black hair and eyes.

Personal life

Naik is married to Farhat Naik. The couple have two children: a son named Fariq Naik and a daughter named Rushdaa Naik. His father, Abdul Karim Naik, worked as a physician. He has a brother named Mohammad Naik and a sister, Nailah Naushad Noorani.

Controversies and legal matters

Naik’s career has been marked by controversy and scrutiny. He has drawn criticism for statements on subjects such as apostasy and homosexuality. His public remarks have led to debate, and at various times his visits and appearances outside India attracted controversy and calls for cancellation. In 2010 he was barred from entering the United Kingdom and Canada.

Investigations and allegations in different jurisdictions have also affected his public standing. Authorities in India took action related to his passport in 2017 following a recommendation by the National Investigation Agency. Media reports have tied followers of violent attacks to pages or materials associated with Naik, and investigations have examined links between people involved in terrorist incidents and volunteer or supporter networks connected to his organisations. He has faced multiple legal cases in India, including allegations concerning hate speech and money laundering; his organisations and activities have been subject to scrutiny as part of those matters.

Latest updates

Public references continue to document new episodes in Naik’s public life and media presence. He remained a high-profile figure within debates about religion and public speech, and media outlets have reported on interactions and controversies involving him as late as 2024.

Public image

Supporters view Naik as a prominent da’wah speaker who popularised comparative-religion lectures and brought attention to Islamic perspectives in mass media. Critics and authorities have challenged aspects of his rhetoric and organisational activities, creating a divided public view of his work.

Overall, Zakir Naik is a polarising figure whose career blends medical training, long-term public preaching, international recognition, and sustained controversy and legal entanglements.

Editorial Review and Sources

This F4U profile is written from publicly available career and profile information, then reviewed for clarity before publication. If you spot an outdated detail about Zakir Naik (Islamic Preacher), send the page URL and a reliable correction source to f4udotin@gmail.com.

Reference context: StarsUnfolded

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Recent Work

Founder and President of the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF)

Established the IRF to organise and broadcast his lectures and outreach activities; also launched Peace TV.

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Career Highlights

  1. Debut in Dawah and public preaching in 1991
  2. Founder of the Islamic Research Foundation and Peace TV
  3. Recipient of the King Faisal International Prize for Service to Islam (2015)
  4. Named Islamic Personality of the Year at the Dubai International Holy Quran Award (2013)
  5. Listed in editions of The 500 Most Influential Muslims and ranked among powerful Indians by The Indian Express (2010)
Reviewed by F4U Editorial Desk

F4U profile pages are prepared from public career information, checked for readability, and updated when reliable correction sources are shared with the editorial team.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Zakir Naik (Islamic Preacher) born?

Zakir Naik (Islamic Preacher) was born on 18 October 1965.

What is Zakir Naik (Islamic Preacher) known for?

Zakir Naik (Islamic Preacher) is known for public Speaker.

What is Zakir Naik (Islamic Preacher)’s marital status?

Zakir Naik (Islamic Preacher)'s marital status is listed as Married.

Who is Zakir Naik (Islamic Preacher) married to?

Zakir Naik (Islamic Preacher) is publicly listed as married to Farhat Naik.