‘If she wore obscene clothes…’: Resurfaced Zakir Naik video sparks outrage over remarks blaming women for sexual assault

Zakir Naik

A resurfaced video of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik has triggered widespread outrage online after he appeared to suggest that women could be partly responsible for sexual assaults because of the way they dress.

The two-minute clip, first uploaded by YouTube channel EnlighteningEcho in 2024, shows Naik responding to a question during a public Q&A session. In the video, he claims that while rape and murder are grave sins, women who fail to follow “Quranic dress codes” share some responsibility if such crimes occur. “If she wore obscene clothes because of which the rape took place, then she is responsible,” Naik is heard saying.

He goes on to argue that a rapist could still be forgiven under Islamic law if he sincerely repents, describing both the victim and the perpetrator as undergoing a “spiritual test.”

Naik’s comments have drawn strong criticism from historians, scholars, and social media users. Historian Irfan Habib posted on X that Naik is “an awful human being” and urged everyone to “unequivocally denounce him.” His remarks reignited debate about how religious interpretations are sometimes used to justify misogyny.

Users across social media platforms called Naik’s statements “misogynistic” and “dangerous,” warning that such rhetoric can perpetuate victim-blaming and fuel prejudice. The clip has since gone viral, surpassing 700,000 views on X, with thousands joining the debate. One user wrote, “The likes of him are why Islamophobia is rising globally.”

Naik, who has been living in Malaysia since leaving India, has long faced criticism for his inflammatory sermons and controversial religious views. He remains a polarising figure, often accused of promoting extremist narratives under the guise of religious interpretation.