The Daily Pakistan newspaper reports today:
CALIFORNIA – In an untoward development, renowned Muslim speaker Nouman Ali Khan has been alleged of making inappropriate advances toward her female followers, here on Friday.
The harsh allegations against the American speaker, who enjoys widespread popularity were hurled by Omer M. Mozaffar who claims to be a friend of the speaker from last twenty years.
In a detailed Facebook post, Mozaffar claimed that he was working on a case related to Nouman Ali Khan in which the scholar confessed to having made inappropriate interactions with various women.
The friend of Khan expressed that apart from confession, the speaker told lies and also threatened multiple parties to further hide his misconduct although he was advising him to seek repentance and reform himself.
Mozaffar also claimed that when the matter heated up, the local scholars of Dallas intervened and started investigating the matter with Mozaffaffar as arbitrator.
The investigations also included family members of Nouman who also admitted to ‘some of the accusations, though the evidence was worse’ claimed Mozaffar.
Moreover, as investigations continued, Nouman met the scholars and agreed to stop public speeches and stop contacting all the women until further notice.
The adjudicator Mozaffar was assigned the responsibility to keep an eye on Nouman who allowed him to post previously recorded lectures, so long as they were not about marriage or gender matters.
The developments, in this case, were also communicated to Muslim community leaders so that no one should become a victim at the hands of the scholar.
Mozaffar stated that the victims were also informed about an organisation that dealt with matters related to abuse and were encouraged to utilise all legal channels for justice.
According to Mozaffar, he also got in touch with a mutual friend of NAK to make sure that he was not hurling allegations based on a stony ground, however, as the interrogation continued, Nouman started to hit back with allegations that a campaign was being run against him by the Dallas-based scholars.
Going a mile more, Mozaffar claimed that now Nouman was sending threats against each of investigators through his attorney, however, reiterated that ‘predatory behaviour against these students and conference attendees should be neither tolerated, nor replicated, nor ignored’.
Mozaffar also quoted references from Islamic principles and the life of last Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) to affirm that Faith comes from God and not from a charismatic leader.
Although, Nouman has not responded to the scathing allegations publically, what adds weight to the observations of Mozaffar is the fact that Director of Religious Education and Social Services at the Islamic Information Society of Calgary, Navaid Aziz also substantiated the claims while confirming that the allegations against Nouman have been verified by multiple people, and some of them have even been confessed by him.
Aziz, through a Facebook post, stated that the details regarding the scandal were the right of victims and they would be shared.
The speaker maintained that Islam did not revolve around the personalities and ‘your Imaan should not plummet because of such shenanigans’.
The official also confirmed that no one wanted to air the details of this episode, however, Nouman breached the contract and it was necessary to make the allegations public in a bid to protect women members of the community.
Navaid Aziz also clarified that a single case against the said speaker should not be utilised as a tool to malign all the Muslim public figures as those who did not commit mistakes should be held in high-esteem and learned from.
The scholar has yet to confirm or refute the allegations, however, social media buffs were left in utter disbelief and shock over the information recently released about the scholar.
A letter narrating the accusations and action of leaders on Chicago Muslim community in response to it was widely shared on social media:
Bismillah.
Muharram 1, 1439 September 21, 2017
Assalamu Alaykum,Dear fellow Muslims. I hope you receive this letter with the best of health, Iman, and integrity.
Ours is a deen that focuses on justice. If teacher falls, the Deen continues, the Rahma of Allah continues. When your heart breaks and you feel your faith is shaking, you turn to Allah to rebuild yourself. If you walk to Allah, Allah comes to you with speed. In this world we will be hit with news that shakes our hearts; in those moments we turn back to Allah again and again, for He is the dispenser of good and guidance. It is ithe model of our beloved Prophet, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, that we persist with the determination that help will come, even if we do not know when.
I have been working on a case regarding my friend of twenty years, Nouman Ali Khan. He confessed inappropriate interactions with various women, violating agreed-upon bounds of Islamic law. He also told lies to cover up those relationships, and filed threats of litigation against multiple parties to further hide his misconduct. I am calling on him to focus on repentance and reform. He is jeopardizing his soul and reputation; he is tampering with the Iman of so many of the students of his courses and lectures. Nouman, you are burying yourself. When rumors spread of possible indiscretions by Nouman, the local community of Dallas scholars investigated the matter to protect possible victims and to work toward justice and community healing. The scholars would not tolerate misconduct by Muslim preachers. Most of the Muslim community across the globe know the rumors; I will not repeat them here.
I was asked to mediate the situation in Dallas between Nouman and the scholars because of my experience in similar previous cases, as well as my longtime relationship with Nouman. My approach is to regard the accusers as speaking the truth while still regarding the accused as innocent. Even if any interactions are between two consenting adults, they are not of even stature: the famous preacher has the upper hand, and almost no Muslim preacher in the globe is as famous as Nouman. Thus, it is vital to make sure the victim is given attention and necessary personal and professional support.
I investigated the extensive evidence. I permitted one of his family members to support and advocate for him. He admitted to some of the accusations, though the evidence was worse.
In a meeting with the above scholars and myself, Nouman agreed to stop public speeches until further notice, to get professional and religious counseling, and to cease all contact with those women. I had the responsibility to determine when he would be ready to speak again. I gave him an exception, allowing him to post previously recorded lectures, so long as they were not about marriage or gender matters. Likewise, it was the responsibility of our team to inform the Muslim community leadership of Dallas and the nation, in order to protect anyone else from becoming a potential victim. Leaders and scholars across the nation were informed immediately, free to spread the news. The evidence was also shared with an organization that specializes in providing services for victims in the Muslim community experiencing abuse and neglect at the hands of religious leaders. We urged those who came to us who claimed that they were wronged by him to seek justice through all legal means available to them and to warn those close to them in order to protect the community from his harm.
I consulted a mutual friend of Nouman and myself to make sure I was not misstepping; the work of community safety and justice requires tremendous deliberation, care, and prayers. As things progressed, Nouman accused me of lying about our efforts and asserted that scholars were on a campaign to ruin him. This was obviously incorrect; there is no campaign and Nouman is not the victim here. The scholars were seeking to protect the community and to protect him from himself. The Prophet, may peace be upon him is reported to have instructed us to help the oppressed and the oppressor. We understand helping the oppressed. We help the oppressor by preventing him from further injustice.
This brings us to where we are today. Nouman has now broken his agreement with us and has been sending threats against each of us through his attorney. Such threats are nothing less than attempts to stop our work of protecting the community; those working with him should be ashamed of themselves. We serve Allah, not our worldly interests. Thus, this call is essential for the well-being, safety, and education of young men and women around the world who learn from community leaders and scholars. This predatory behavior against these students and conference attendees should be neither tolerated, nor replicated, nor ignored. The failures of one preacher do not mean that the entire Tradition is suspect. But every preacher, scholar, and activist should know that if there is evidence that your behavior is illegal or detrimental to the community or society, you will be outed. If possible, we will work with you toward rehabilitation Insha Allah. I expect the same against me if I lose my way, a’udhubillah.
Faith comes from God. Faith does not come from a charismatic lecturer. Hold tight to the Book of Allah, and to the way of His Messenger, may peace be upon him. Pray for all of us, starting with the victims. To those of you who, as a result of such behaviors by preachers are struggling with faith, we are here to serve you to help you to turn to Allah.
To the Muslim scholars, preachers, and community servants across the globe, we have an enormous responsibility to help the community members cultivate their Deen. We have an enormous responsibility to stand up for justice, even if we have to go against our own selves or our own friends. We must renew our intentions in our own service to Allah, knowing that the accursed devil is a relentless enemy against each of us.
Our scholars are and continue to be the inheritors of the Prophet, may peace be upon him, as well as the custodians of the Traditions. As we know, the Prophet, may peace be upon him, and his family, may Allah be pleased with them, were subject to much worse. And, despite the struggles, Allah’s Tradition continued, and it will continue. All of us will face the Divine on the Day of Judgment, where the only wealth will be our good intentions and Allah’s mercy. We are at your service. May Allah accept our efforts and our repentance.
May Allah bless you.
Omer M. Mozaffar Chicago,
Illinois.
I cannot believe this stuff about Nouman Ali Khan , I’m heartbroken
Hearing some stuff about Nouman Ali Khan. May Allah rectify his affair. No-one is free from sin.
Nouman Ali Khan….omg. This is disappointing. I was not a fan of his but for him to do what he’s accused of….
incredibly sad.
Nouman Ali Khan… known to be one of the best scholars of our time. And then this happens. SubhanAllah.
I always loved Sh. Yaser Birjas https://twitter.com/omarsuleiman504/status/911093657725308928 …
Nouman Ali Khan
Nouman is the founder and CEO of Bayyinah Institute, as well as the lead instructor for a number of Bayyinah courses including the ‘Fundamentals of Classical Arabic’ and ‘Divine Speech’.
His first exposure to Arabic study was in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia where he completed his elementary education. He continued Arabic grammar study in Pakistan, where he received a scholarship for ranking among the top 10 scores in the national Arabic studies board examinations in 1993.
But his serious training in Arabic began in the United States in 1999 under Dr. Abdus-Samie, founder and formal principal of Quran College, Faisalabad, Pakistan who happened to be touring the US for intensive lectures in Tafsir and Arabic studies.
Nouman served as professor of Arabic at Nassau Community College and has taught Modern Standard and Classical Arabic at various venues for nearly 7 years with over 10,000 students nationwide.
Currently, he is involved in a seven-year-long project, of conducting a linguistic & literary focus Qur’anic Tafseer series in English.
He is also an admirer of famous Pakistani scholar Moulana Tariq Jameel who visits him occasionally.
Blogging Theology 
Assalamu alykum,
It is very interesting to note that Nouman Ali Khan has always denied being a scholar and does Dinesh himself of sharing research from tafsir books.
So I find the accuser, his friend, of ebony a scholar or a preacher very illogical, irrational and unreasonable.
Nouman Ali Khan has only been studying Arabic grammar, which is quite far away from being a scholar who studying, Fiqh, Hadith, Qur’an, Logic, etc
It is a simple principal innocent until found guilty. Hence one can’t accept the accuser of telling truth at the same time. It is a logical contradiction.
Smells of power play.
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According to Omer M. Mozaffar (Muslim chaplain and academic at the University of Chicago) Khan has already admitted to some abusive behaviour:
‘I investigated the extensive evidence. I permitted one of his family members to support and advocate for him. He admitted to some of the accusations, though the evidence was worse.
In a meeting with the above scholars and myself, Nouman agreed to stop public speeches until further notice, to get professional and religious counseling, and to cease all contact with those women.’
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It is just third party testimonies about the matter as far as I am concerned, which the way the came and the content, I found to soap opera.
We need undeniable proofs to form any judgement.
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What you stated was already in the article.
I am was on about the guy you mentioned who was by you.
There is only here say to go by about what has happened, professions etc
Anybody of importance accuse anyone or anything, should we take that as truth.
From the tone of revelations, I sense it is questionable.
A person is innocent until proven with out doubt guilty.
This is very irregular way to go about informing the public.
At the moment it seems like defame tactic until Noman is found guilty of whatever actual wrong he has done, which was very vague.
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Well guys Noman Ali Khan has released a statement to shed light on all this illogical, irrational and unreasonable vague release, which happened.
Go ahead read it on his Facebook page.
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It’s definitely not the Islamic way what those people have done to NAK if these accusations were true.
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? if the accusations are true NAK is not the victim
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We are talking form the Islamic perspective. There are huge books in Islam about (Shahdat i.e. testifying ), and how testify agianst some one. If you went to an Islamic court , we would need both sides to talk.
It doesn’t work “he admitted to me”.
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Well guys Noman Ali Khan has released a statement to shed light on all this illogical, irrational and unreasonable vague release, which happened.
Go ahead read it on his Facebook page.
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Salaamu Alaikum brother Paul,
I urge you beloved brother to please take this article down. It is not permissible to share other brothers sins openly. Allah will hold us to account for these matters. We have enough sins of our own to deal with before we show others. Bless.
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No its staying up. We are not like the Catholic church that tries to cover up abuse. Don’t fall into that trap.
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“We have enough sins of our own to deal with before we show others. Bless.”
How profound !
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Well nothing has been categorically been proven, to require a remark of cover up like the Catholic Church.
Unless you have evidence.
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In fact, we’re ordered in Islam to maintain our tongues to be silent about this kind of accusations.
It reminds me to the incident of our mother Aisha’ (ra).
QT 24;12&14
“Why, when you heard it, did not the believing men and believing women think good of one another and say, “This is an obvious falsehood”?
Then it continues
“When you received it with your tongues and said with your mouths that of which you had no knowledge and thought it was insignificant while it was, in the sight of Allah, tremendous.”
Even if this is true, in Islam it’s better to cover up your brother’s sins to give him a space to repent and get back except of course for certain circumstances. I believe Ibn Rajab (ra) gave detaiails for ths matter.
In Islam, the purpose of the treatment is not only to get rid of from the sins, but also to heal the sinners.
It’s definitely not the right way from those people. It’s not Islamic.
It does have more to do with western tabloids, unfortunately.
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Well guys Noman Ali Khan has released a statement to shed light on all this illogical, irrational and unreasonable vague release, which happened.
Go ahead read it on his Facebook page.
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I just have read it. Those people are liars.
From the beginning the guy called Naviad said it’s NOT rape nor sexual assault! Then why would you spread all of these fake accusations agaisnt NAK?
For those who heard these accusation
“Why, when you heard it, did not the believing men and believing women think good of one another and say, “This is an obvious falsehood” QT 24:12
Some muslims in the west, unfortuently, are influenced with Hollywood tabloids and paparazzi.
Allah(sw) is accounting every words and harm those people have done to NAK & the islamic community.
Had those accusations been true, they should have followed the islamic way to treat the problem not as they did.
Also, spreading these conjectures is really not a good deed rather it’s a sin.
“When you received it with your tongues and said with your mouths that of which you had no knowledge and thought it was insignificant while it was, in the sight of Allah, tremendous.” QT 24:14.
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Paul Williams
Kudos for having the courage to post this article.
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https://celsus.blog/2017/09/22/more-of-the-same-eric-bess-reviews-sean-mcdowells-the-fate-of-the-apostles/
enjoy this one too.
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Well guys Noman Ali Khan has released a statement to shed light on all this illogical, irrational and unreasonable vague release, which happened.
Go ahead read it on his Facebook page.
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Here is a good article….
http://5pillarsuk.com/2017/09/23/nouman-ali-khan-rejects-accusations-of-inappropriate-behaviour-with-women-as-lies/
Aziz confirms there was no sexual assault.
And Noman Ali Khan’s response which deserves a full airing as well:
It’s hard for me to discount that nothing happened since it would be far-fetched to assume people would make complaints when there was not something to it.
However, the accusations should be made explicit at least on what NAK is alleged to have confessed.
NAK is denying he was in the wrong.
He said “I’d like to add that I’ve had female students at my own campus for years and no student ever has or ever will claim that I’ve been inappropriate in the least bit.”
“I have been divorced for nearly two years….”
“Along that process I communicated with a few prospects with my family’s knowledge and consent and that has been used, distorted and manipulated way out of proportion and turned into something it isn’t. All such communications took place between consenting adults and there was nothing malicious or predatory about them. I fail to see how such interaction can render anyone a victim. These communications took place for a dignified purpose. Yet these are the communications that are being alleged as predatory.”
NAK is saying for them to give the evidence. Then they should give it. If they don’t want to mention the names of the victims, then they can still describe the incidents without giving names.
Then people can decide for themselves the matter.
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Here is a good article….
http://5pillarsuk.com/2017/09/23/nouman-ali-khan-rejects-accusations-of-inappropriate-behaviour-with-women-as-lies/
Aziz confirms there was no sexual assault.
And Noman Ali Khan’s response which deserves a full airing as well:
It’s hard for me to discount that nothing happened since it would be far-fetched to assume people would make complaints when there was not something to it.
However, the accusations should be made explicit at least on what NAK is alleged to have confessed.
NAK is denying he was in the wrong.
He said “I’d like to add that I’ve had female students at my own campus for years and no student ever has or ever will claim that I’ve been inappropriate in the least bit.”
“I have been divorced for nearly two years….”
“Along that process I communicated with a few prospects with my family’s knowledge and consent and that has been used, distorted and manipulated way out of proportion and turned into something it isn’t. All such communications took place between consenting adults and there was nothing malicious or predatory about them. I fail to see how such interaction can render anyone a victim. These communications took place for a dignified purpose. Yet these are the communications that are being alleged as predatory.”
NAK is saying for them to give the evidence. Then they should give it. If they don’t want to mention the names of the victims, then they can still describe the incidents without giving names.
Then people can decide for themselves the matter.
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Here is another useful article on this issue.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/world/nouman-ali-khan-explicitly-rejects-allegations-of-inappropriate-interactions-offers-cross-examination/
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It is nice to read the commentators promoting patience…it is what the Quran advises people to do.
…yet…
Why are “men” the ones doing the accusing? are Muslim women helpless, voiceless, non-entities in Islam? Should “men” alone determine what is or is not “appropriate” conduct or should women have an equal agency in determining standards of conduct and behavior that relate to them?
These questions need to be asked in circumstances in which the hetero-Muslim-male experience is not the default so that a diversity of voices and experiences are included in what it means to be “Muslim”….?…
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Here is another useful article on this issue.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/world/nouman-ali-khan-explicitly-rejects-allegations-of-inappropriate-interactions-offers-cross-examination/
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People hate the popularity of NAK.
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So there is nothing sexual about the allegations. Surely this could have been resolved in private…
Besides if this failed and the accuser has evidence of abuse of power and fears others are in imminent danger, why doesn’t he simply take it to the authorities? We have no means to verify these claims or the evidence which was not presented publicly.
I disagree with this approach.
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The manner in which this matter has been handled is disgusting, we can’t state what we have no proof of. I am not a NAK fan but I am a fan of doing things the way prescribed by the Qur’an. And having Yasir Qadhi,Omar Suleiman et all issue statements to say this should not affect our deen, is playing dirty and implicitly and slyly implicating NAK. I don’t trust these scholars who have left the the traditional method of dawah.
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Unfortunately I have seen the evidence online. The whole thing has got very dirty. Some of his female friends are out to destroy him it seems.
The allegations by Omer M. Mozaffar would seem to have some basis in fact.
Whether Nouman Ali Khan survives this scandal remains to be seen.
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Do you also have a vendetta against him? And what is your niyyat for saying this? Can I accept your claims of seeing online evidence? And how did you access it
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you can find it for yourself.
Have some consideration for the rights of the victims who have chosen to make it public as is their right.
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Where are the victims? There have been only men who have brought up the allegations, also, your “you can find it for yourself” imply that you have jumped on the bandwagon of accusation. Surely , you should know the Islamic method of handling such a situation
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its not my ‘situation’. I’m merely reporting what is going on online. And it is women who are making the accusations too. Dont get uppity with me dude.
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People will even find faults in Prophet ‘Peace and blessings be upon him’. NAK is just a common man like us but he have done great work. I hope these allegations are fake.
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Well, the “evidence” is all over twitter now. If it is all faked, then Nouman Ali Khan is within his right to sue his accusers for slander. If it is not, then… God help him in either case.
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exactly. I don’t think it is faked. Some well respected scholars and other public figures have vouched for the legitimacy of the allegations.
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Nouman Ali Khan is no scholar. He is a spin master who follow instructions from his bosses in Middle East.
People who spin lies or tell what people want to hear don’t deserve to be called scholars.
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I am shocked and disappointed and hurt. I have learnt so much from Ustad Nouman in the last year or so, following his lectures and talks. In fact, I am reading Revive Your Heart right now. Please give him a chance to explain the position. In my opinion, I think other Muslim scholars are plain jealous of his popularity and hence this situation has been created. By the way, is it not better to look out for our weaknesses instead of pointing fingers at others.
May Allah be with Ustad Nouman at this difficult time and may these allegations against him be proved wrong.
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Womanizer
Layla clapped Mohammed’s shoulder from behind and asked him to marry her. Mohammed accepted. Layla’s people said, “’What a bad thing you have done! You are a self-respecting woman, but the Prophet is a womanizer. Seek an annulment from him.’ She went back to the Prophet and asked him to revoke the marriage and he complied with [her request].” al-Tabari vol.9 p.139
Narrated Aisha: The prophet (pbuh) did not die until all women were lawful to him. – Al Tabaquat Al Kobra by Ibn Saad, part 8
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