Ansar Abbasi demonetises YouTube channel after Dr. Zakir Naik declares earnings 'Haram’

Senior journalist and analyst Ansar Abbasi has demonetised his YouTube channel after Islamic preacher Dr. Zakir Naik deemed the platform's income as haram (forbidden) due to lack of control over advertisements.

During his recent visit to Karachi, Dr Zakir Naik denounced YouTube earnings, declaring them “haram” for violating Islamic principles during a lecture in Karachi.

He was responding to a question from a man who asked about YouTube. In reply, he stated, “When Allah provides for me so generously without YouTube, why should I use it?”

Naik said: “YouTube earnings are haram. If you earn from YouTube ads featuring women and music. Even if you ban alcohol ads, can you stop the depiction of women?” Dr Zakir Naik maintained that he does not file copyright claims because he “seeks blessings, not money earned through unethical means.”

In a video statement today, journalist Ansar Abbasi said that he approached prominent Islamic scholars, including Mufti Taqi Usmani, Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman, Mufti Abdul Rashid, and Mufti Kaka Khel to seek guidance over the issue.

"There are two perspectives on this issue. One school of thought says YouTube advertisements can't be controlled, and most are haram. Thus, earning from YouTube is not halal," he noted.

"Some scholars issued fatwas allowing earnings if certain conditions are met, but this remains debatable," the seasoned journalist added.

Abbasi decided to demonetize his channel, saying, "I find this issue important, and ulemah [religious scholars] will decide about the earning from YouTube."

YouTube Earnings- Halal or Haram?