SERDANG: The Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) is urging Muslims to reject the aqeedah (faith) propagated by Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB) followers that contradicts the teachings of Ahli as-Sunnah wal Jamaa'ah.
In today's Friday prayers sermon, Jais said the practices of GISB followers in terms of ideology and teachings were the same as the banned Al-Arqam sect of the past which was declared haram (unlawful) by the Selangor Fatwa Committee.
"The question remains, is GISB the same as Al-Arqam of the past, which has been declared as haram about their ideology and teachings by the Selangor Fatwa Committee?
"Are the teachings in the book Aurad Muhammadiah, which was banned, still being practised by the followers of GISB? The answer would be that they are both the same."
As such, Jais called on Muslims in the state to remain vigilant and not to subscribe to or practise the teachings and ideology of GISB.
It said the case of GISB was a clear demonstration of how an organisation, that had been outlawed due to its heresy was yet able to continue its perverted influence within society through business and social activities.
"Even though they no longer disseminate their misguidance openly, the same influence and values instilled by Al-Arqam can still be seen in the operations and structure of this organisation."
The sermon also said that the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah had yesterday consented to the fatwa by the Selangor Fatwa Committee that GISB and its affiliates were deemed deviant from the Islamic faith and were in the process of being gazetted.
"When the fatwa is gazetted, then it becomes binding and wajib (obligatory) upon each Muslim individual present in the state of Selangor to abide and adhere to them.
"Any fatwa that is disobeyed and insulted can be subject to legal action. This is how Islam is preserved and regulated within this state, as well as to curb deviant teachings that are rampant."
Jais called on Muslims in the state to earnestly heed the teachings of Ahli as-Sunnah wal Jamaa'ah and the fatwa issued. Jais urged them to obey the Head of Islam of the state and the practices and teachings of Ahli as-Sunnah wal Jamaa'ah.
"Abandon the ideology and teachings of Al-Arqam, as well as other teachings that have similarities with Al-Arqam. Stay away from GISB as its teachings and practices have veered from authentic Islamic aqeedah, even to the extent of misleading the ummah."
Jais added that Muslims must truly comprehend the teachings of Ahli as-Sunnah wal Jamaa'ah to not become confused with groups claiming to be so when in reality they have deviated and were misguided.
It also said that Muslims must remain vigilant and practise tabayyun (verification) and investigate thoroughly before following blindly those using phrases such as religion, practices, and it's like by referring to the state's religious authorities.
On Sept 11, police raided 20 welfare homes in Selangor and Negri Sembilan linked to GISBH, rescuing 402 children and teenagers aged between 1 and 17.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said that health screenings on 392 rescued children showed signs of physical and emotional abuse, with suspicions of forced labour.
GISBH has denied the allegations.
Earlier, the group had also been declared as "deviant and unIslamic" by the Perlis Fatwa Committee.