KUALA LUMPUR – Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, who is wanted by Indian authorities for alleged terror financing and money laundering, is seeking a wife for his son.
Fariq Zakir is described by his father as a man of “strong Islamic inclination, good character, humble, kind and compassionate”.
It appears that the 27-year-old’s personality is not the only plus point. He is also active in preaching, winning the Arabic Public Speaking Award from the Islamic International School in 2010 and getting first place in the International Da’wah Training Programme – an initiative conducted by his father – in 2016.
Fariq is touted as being athletic, too, having won the Best Sports Boy Trophy at the Islamic International School five times. He holds a black belt in karate and taekwondo as well.
Zakir gave a brief physical description of his son, saying Fariq has a “wheatish” complexion and is 170cm tall.
Interested women should note that the advertisement is directed at potential suitors’ fathers and relatives.
“If you are the father or a relative of a girl you think is eligible, and who agrees to look into this, I humbly request you to respond to this post with the required information,” said the ad posted on Zakir’s Facebook page.
Zakir said he is seeking “a virtuous Muslim girl of good character, such that my son and his wife can be a source of guidance and strength for each other”.
The preacher divided the qualities he seeks in a wife for Fariq into two: necessary and preferable traits.
The necessary qualities include:
- Practising Islam as per the teachings of the Quran and Saheeh Hadeeth, and fulfilling the Fara’idh;
- Abstaining from all haram activities;
- Virtuous, righteous, of good character, humble and compassionate;
- Passionate about dakwah and spreading the teachings of Islam;
- Willing to lead a simple, non-luxurious life; and,
- Willing to settle in Malaysia.
Among the qualities deemed preferrable are:
- Fluent in Fu’sha Arabic (Classical/Quranic Arabic);
- Da’eeyah, or propagating Islam among non-Muslims and Muslims;
- Has a bachelor’s degree in any field of Islamic studies; and,
- Hafidhah (memoriser/guardian) of the Quran.
The post had received 19,000 “likes”, 4,100 comments and 3,200 shares at the time of writing.
Zakir in 2016 moved from his home country of India to Malaysia, where he holds permanent resident status.
In 2019, he sparked controversy with his remarks on Chinese and Hindus during a lecture in Kelantan.
Among the things uttered was that Hindus in Malaysia have 100 times more rights than Muslim minorities in India.
Referring to himself as a “guest”, he said the Chinese who arrived in Malaysia earlier were “guests”, too.
Zakir has publicly said he was misquoted, and his comments taken out of context.
Indian authorities seeking to extradite him for alleged terror financing, money laundering and inciting communal hatred have yet to obtain a Red Notice from Interpol. – The Vibes, September 25, 2021
