Perlis fatwa committee declares GISBH's teachings as deviant, unIslamic
The teachings promoted by the group are a continuation of the Al-Arqam movement, which had previously been declared deviant.
NOOR DIANA AZIS WAN MOHD NOOR HAFIZ WAN MANSOR
SHAH ALAM – The Perlis State Fatwa Committee has declared that the beliefs and teachings of GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISBH) contain elements of deviance, particularly of an esoteric nature.
Perlis Mufti Datuk Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, stressed that the teachings promoted by the group were a continuation of the Al-Arqam movement, which had previously been declared deviant.
“The beliefs held by the GISBH group, which idolises leaders or religious figures to the extent of equating them with the status of Prophet Muhammad SAW, attributing miracles to them or claiming they possess knowledge of the unseen, akin to God, are esoteric beliefs that are deviant and misleading.
“The extreme cult-like devotion resulting from this idolisation, which leads to blind obedience to leaders or religious figures, clearly contradicts the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah,” he said in a statement on Friday.
Asri also pointed out that the economic model practised by GISBH was not a genuine Islamic economic model and contradicted Islamic economic principles.
“This is because it involves elements of oppression, exploitation and enslavement of those involved, especially exploiting members, children, women and families for the benefit of those idolised.
“Therefore, all teachings, activities and anything that could support this company are prohibited.
“The committee also suggests that the Muslim community should assist in the rehabilitation of GISBH members who wish to leave the misguided teachings,” he said.
He also said that zakat provisions under ‘fi sabilillah’, ‘al-riqab’ and the category of the poor and needy could be utilised to aid rehabilitation efforts, such as financing education, rebuilding lives, providing security protection, legal aid for self-liberation from GISBH and funding efforts to purify their faith.
The Perlis Mufti also urged the Muslim community to take a proactive stance in helping former GISBH members break free from the clutches of deviant teachings.
“Schools that follow the genuine teachings of ‘Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah’ should assist by accepting the children of GISBH members and providing them with proper education.
“Private organisations can also help by offering employment opportunities so that they can live like other Muslims.
“At the same time, all parties must work together to monitor and ensure that they do not revert to the deviant teachings,” he said.
