Renowned social worker, educationist and psychiatrist, Dr. Abdul Karim Naik breathed his last after a cardiac arrest at 3:30 a.m. in his native place Mazgaon, Mumbai on 30 October. According to people close to Dr Naik, he had been keeping unwell for some time. He has been laid to rest at Nariyal Wadi graveyard in the same area. He is survived by his wife, two daughters and two sons, one being Dr Zakir Naik, a renowned Islamic scholar and preacher.
Dr. Abdul Karim Naik was born in Ratnagiri, a coastal district of Maharashtra in 1928. Having lost his father at an early age, he went through many hardships during his youth. Nonetheless he completed his secondary education from Patwardhan High School having passed his matriculation from there in 1946. He subsequently studied at St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai but then returning to Ratnagiri’s Gogate College to obtain a degree in Inter Science. After this he obtained his MBBS degree from Grant Medical College in 1956.
He chose a different path for himself by entering the medical field rather than continuing with the family business of exporting seafood. He set up a medical clinic in Dongri, Mumbai. He was a general physician and was highly respected and popular around Mumbai. He served as the President of the then Bombay Psychiatric Society, a private organisation of mental health professional in 1994-1995. Apart from establishing a successful medical practice, he made invaluable contributions in numerous fields including journalism, research, Islamic Dawah, education, social service, upliftment of Muslim community, to name only a few.
He started a monthly called Naqsh-e-Kokan which helped Muslims of Konkan region and Mumbai to express their opinions regarding various social issues and gave them a platform to showcase their literary skills.
He held important posts in a variety of social organisations such as Chairman of Indian Council of Mental Health, Managing Trustee of Rehmani Foundation, Mumbai, Vice President of All India Muslim Education Society, Trustee of MDNET, Hyderabad, Vice President of the United Economic Forum, Mumbai and Trustee of Yusuf Meharally Trust, Mumbai.
He contributed greatly to charitable and educational institutions, some of which he was a lifelong member like Indian Council for World Affairs, National Association for the Blind, Children Aid Society, Indian Cancer Society, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Indo-American Society, Indo-Japanese Association, Indo-Australian Society, Indo-Swiss Society, Prince Aly Khan Habib and Noor Hospitals, Mumbai.
Some of the many accolades received by him include,
– International Man of the Year 1998-99 for Medicine and Humanity, International Biographical Centre, Cambridge, U.K
– Distinguished Leadership Award, American Biographical Institute (1998)
– Award of Honour, Muslim Association for Advancement of Science (1996)
– Vijay Shri Award, International Friendship Society, New Delhi (1996)
– Award for Best Paper on “Islam & Mental Health” Mumbai Psychiatric Society (1986)
– ‘Doctor of the Millennium’ Association of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.
Close friends remember Dr. Abdul Karim Naik as someone who had an impeccable sense of humour and was a “philanthropist of a different kind”. He believed that an individual should self-improve. He motivated those around him to develop their personalities, their skills, potentials and aptitude. For this purpose he started helping financially insecure but talented students in the schools and educational institutions of Konkan and Western Maharashtra. He used to personally visit those in need of help.
It is interesting to note that he was a pioneer of the Qur’ān and Science studies in Maharashtra. Despite his medical occupation he had a wonderful command of Qur’ānic studies and published numerous articles and research papers on the same as well as lecturing in many scientific conferences. He was closely associated with MAAS (Muslim Association for Advancement Science). The Editor-in-Chief of Radiance Viewsweekly, Ejaz Ahmed Aslam had recently visited Mumbai to meet the ailing Dr A.K. Naik and offer prayers for his speedy recovery.
Apart from being an accomplished doctor, educationist and social benefactor, he was a very inspiring colleague, friend and father. His amazing legacy will continue to be a great source of inspiration for the Muslim community of India, especially the youth. We pray that Allah the Exalted grant him Maghfirah and the highest ranks of Paradise. Aameen.