Rumours have been swirling on social media claiming that controversial preacher Dr Zakir Naik is secretly battling AIDS and receiving treatment at a private hospital in the Klang Valley.
The story quickly caught attention online, but both Naik and his representatives insist it is completely false.
Naik, who is currently abroad, broke his silence through his lawyer, Akberdin Abdul Kadir. He categorically rejected the allegations, calling them nothing more than “hate speech” designed to smear his reputation.
“It’s rubbish! It’s fake news,” Naik said in response to the claims.
Akberdin, who last met Naik recently, confirmed that the preacher was in good health and had shown no signs of illness. He added that Naik is now considering his legal options after identifying the spread of such falsehoods.
According to Akberdin, the rumour is part of a broader effort to discredit Naik because of his popularity. “It goes without saying that this was the reason for all the fake news,” he remarked, pointing to a pattern of attempts to tarnish the preacher’s public image.
Naik himself has been no stranger to controversy. His fiery preaching style has long divided opinion, drawing large audiences of supporters while provoking fierce criticism from detractors. This latest claim about his health is seen as yet another episode in that ongoing tug-of-war over his persona.
For now, the preacher’s position is clear: he does not have AIDS, and the reports circulating online are baseless fabrications. Still, the episode highlights a wider problem—how quickly false information can spread on social media, especially when it involves high-profile figures. In today’s climate, a single post or forwarded message can spiral into viral “news,” blurring the line between fact and fiction. Whether one supports or opposes Zakir Naik, the incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of misinformation and the importance of verifying claims before amplifying them.
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