By News18
Islamic preacher Zakir Naik is well known for being at the centre of raging controversies, often criticised for his inflammatory remarks and hate speeches. One of his old videos, in which he described playing PUBG as “haram,” has resurfaced online, triggering fresh reactions on the internet. Online users had a field day, as many took turns aiming jabs at Naik. The video in question shows Naik claiming that since the game of PUBG involves killing and scoring from deaths, it is haram for Muslims, meaning forbidden under Islamic laws.
He even urged parents to keep their children away from the game. “PUBG – the full form of PUBG is PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds. Many who play the game might not know the full form. The game mainly involves killing. The more you kill, the more points you get, and you have to save yourself. And if you are the last person alive, you are the winner. But this game PUBG is surely haram,” he said in the video.
Playing PUBG is Haram in Islam- Zakir Naik pic.twitter.com/ZpfOVHC58A
— Frontalforce ?? (@FrontalForce) July 2, 2025
Naik went on to claim that previously, many fatwas were haram, and now with the game’s new version, idols and idol worship have been glorified. “I request the Muslim parents and the Muslim children to stay away from it and don’t play with it,” he concluded.
The video went viral quickly, sending internet users into splits, as people had a fair share of fun in the comment section. One wrote, “If chicken dinner is halal, then PUBG is halal,” while another quipped, “So is eating Subji.”
A user took a dig at Naik’s ignorance of Western culture and wrote, “Western culture is Haram for Muslims – Dr Zakir Naik (Scholar of Islam).”
It is not the first time that the Islamic preacher has shared an unusual opinion. In October 2024, Zakir Naik warned content creators about sharing videos on YouTube and other video platforms, calling it haram. “If you eliminate alcoholic beverage ads, you can still see women in inappropriate attire,” he commented on YouTube ads. Naik further asserted that the revenue derived from such content that includes women and music is not permissible. He urged content creators to refrain from sharing things on social media that include pictures of women.
Mumbai-born Zakir Naik is currently wanted in India over hate speech and money laundering allegations. While Naik has been denied entry into the UK and Canada, he is reportedly maintaining a permanent residency in Malaysia.