Malaysia’s Islamic council declares GISB teachings deviant

PUTRAJAYA - The Muzakarah Committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia (MKI) declared that the teachings, beliefs, and ideology of GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISB) are deviant and stray from Islamic teachings.

MKI Muzakarah Committee chairman Datuk Dr Nooh Gadut stated that the committee, which was convened from Sept 24 to 26, is convinced and satisfied with the arguments and evidence presented by the researchers regarding GISB.

He explained that the teachings propagated by Nasiruddin Mohd Ali from GISB, as well as his followers or anyone connected to the company, firm, organisation, association, or group associated with it, or anyone else exhibiting deviationary characteristics, are considered deviant and straying from Islamic teachings.

GISB’s teachings include claims that Asy-Syeikh Muhammad Abdullah As-Suhaimi, also known as Syeikh Muhammad Suhaimi, is the Imam Mahdi, and that Asaari Muhammad will appear at the end of time as his assistant.

“Asaari Muhammad is believed to be able to grant intercession (syafaat) to his followers, while the water used to wash the leader’s body parts, as well as water used to soak his hair and beard, is considered blessed,” Nooh added.

“(GISB also) practices a ma’ash economy, characterised by elements of enslavement, where the company fully covers the followers’ needs, and in return, they are required to serve voluntarily without any payment,” he said in a statement yesterday, Bernama reported.

He added that GISB also practices Aurad Muhammadiah, a form of zikir agung (ritual prayer or litany) that has been declared deviant by a fatwa.

He urged Muslims to avoid these teachings, beliefs, and ideologies and be prohibited from adhering to, believing in, teaching, spreading, practising, or becoming their followers or agents.

“Anyone who adheres to, believes in, teaches, spreads, practises, or becomes a follower of these teachings, beliefs, and ideology must sincerely repent,” he said.

Dr Nooh added that the MKI has recommended that relevant government agencies at the federal and state levels assist in carrying out the process of istitabah (repentance) and provide the necessary funding for this purpose.

He stated that the public is prohibited from possessing, storing, selling, uploading, downloading, spreading, distributing, displaying, or publishing any posters, books, magazines, pamphlets, or other reading materials, whether printed, typed, handwritten, or produced in any form or reproduction – including any films, audiovisual recordings, websites, print media, or electronic media that contain elements of the teachings, beliefs and ideologies of GISB.

Meanwhile, Dr Nooh said the Islamic Development Malaysia has submitted its legal opinion on this matter to MKI chairman Sultan Nazrin Muizuddin Shah of Perak and subsequently to the 267th Conference of Rulers held on Oct 23 and 24.

“The council has taken note of the legal opinion that has been approved, and state authorities may consider this decision to enact the fatwa in their respective states,” he added. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK