CENTRE FOR FOUNDATION STUDIES, IIUM
SEMESTER 3, 2024/2025
COURSE TITLE/CODE: UNDERSTANDING ISLAM 2
(RKFF 0423)
TOPIC: DEVIANT IDEOLOGIES AND TEACHINGS
(AL-ARQAM)
SECTION: 480
NO NAME MATRIC NO PROGRAMME
MUHAMMAD ADEEL BIN MOHD
1 242815 FCS
SHAMSUL
WAN AFIF FAUZAN BIN WAN MOHD
2 248503 FCS
HILMI
MUHAMMAD AMIRUL HAKIMI BIN
3 249207 FCS
MOHD ASRI
MUHAMMAD ISKANDAR BIN NOOR
4 249132 FCS
MOHD AZMY
INSTRUCTOR: MADAM NOOR AISHAH BINTI MAT DAHAN
1
INTRODUCTION
In the context of Islam, deviant teachings are interpretations that claim to be in line
with Islamic principles yet stray from the established and true Islamic teachings and
law, whether from the al-Quran or the Hadith.
One of the infamous deviant teachings includes al-Arqam, which was a group or
congregation founded in 1968 by Ashaari Muhammad, the main leader, and several
companions. Upon development, it was initially known as “Kumpulan Rumah Putih,”
referenced from the first place for gathering, but the name was later changed to Dar
al-Arqam, taken from a companion of Prophet Muhammad S.A.W., al-Arqam bin Abi
al-Arqam.
The teachings in al-Arqam focused on matters related to fardhu ain, especially morals
and self-purification. During the early times, there were only 10-12 followers. The
number increased steadily as time went on. In 1972, al-Arqam pioneered a new era by
building an Islamic village on Sungai Pelaca, which serves as the heart of al-Arqam's
movements in general.
However, in 1994, Al-Arqam grew bigger and became more deviated from the true
Islamic beliefs with their alleged non-Islamic practices to the point that the group was
declared a deviant organization. There are a few characteristics that lead to its
pronunciation as deviant. The objective of this assignment is to identify the
characteristics of deviant teachings that match with al-Arqam.
CONTENTS
There are 3 main characteristics that lead to its pronunciation as deviant:
1. Sources from Qur’an & Hadith
The most concerning elements revolve around its founder’s spiritual claims, the misuse of
ilham (inspiration), and the assertion of divine authority that rivals prophetic guidance. In
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Islam, ilham may occur to righteous individuals, but it is not binding on others, nor is it a
source of law. The Qur’an and Sunnah are the only valid sources of Shariah. Misuse of ilham
borders on false prophecy, especially when followers are expected to obey such instructions
as though they were divine commands. This confuses the distinction between personal
spiritual insight and revelation (wahy). which is exclusive to prophets. Ashaari Muhammad,
the leader of Al-Arqam, claimed to receive divine guidance and spiritual messages, which he
used to direct the movement’s strategies and predict future events. Al-Arqam also introduced
many practices and beliefs not found in the Qur’an or Sunnah, including belief in the
founder's special divine connection and rituals or sayings invented by the group. These
claims suggest a continuation of divine communication, directly contradicting the Qur’an.
From Surah Al-Ahzab, Verse 40:
﴾٤٠﴿﴿َّما َكانَ ُم َح َّم ٌد َأبَا َأ َح ٍد ِّمن رِّ َجالِ ُك ْم َو ٰلَ ِكن َّرسُو َل هَّللا ِ َوخَاتَ َم النَّبِيِّينَ ۗ َو َكانَ هَّللا ُ بِ ُكلِّ َش ْي ٍء َعلِي ًما َعلِي ًما
Muhammad is not the father of [any] one of your men, but [he is] the Messenger of Allah and
last of the prophets. And ever is Allah, of all things, Knowing.
This verse alone refutes any claim of divine communication beyond what was revealed to
Prophet Muhammad ﷺand disqualifies movements like Al-Arqam from being aligned
with Islamic teachings when they elevate their leader's "inspiration" to a religious authority.
2. Unseen Matters - Sam’iyyat / Ghaybiyyat
The Al-Arqam group believed in hidden matters of the unseen (ghaybiyyāt) that are not
proven in Islam. One of their unusual claims was that Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah
Al-Suhaimi, who had already passed away, would come back as the Mahdi. They also
believed that their leader, Ashaari Muhammad, had a special divine role in supporting him.
These beliefs were not based on clear Islamic teachings but rather on personal dreams or
interpretations. This created mystery and strong loyalty among their followers. However, in
Islam, while the coming of the Mahdi is a real belief, no one truly knows when or who he
will be. It is wrong to make claims about such unseen matters without solid proof.
In Surah An-Naml verse 65, it reminds us that only Allah has complete knowledge of the
unseen, including future events like the arrival of the Mahdi. No human, no matter how pious
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or spiritual they seem, can claim to know such matters unless Allah has revealed it through
authentic sources. Therefore, when a group makes bold claims based on dreams or personal
beliefs, it goes against this fundamental teaching. Following such ideas can lead people away
from true Islamic guidance and create false hopes or confusion among believers.
From Surah An-Naml, Verse 65:
َ ض ْال َغي
ُْب ِإاَّل هَّللا ِ ْت َواَأْلر
ِ قُل اَّل يَ ْعلَ ُم َمن فِي ال َّس َما َوا
Say, "None in the heavens and earth knows the unseen except Allah-”
3. Shari’ah –Tampering with the Shahadah
Tampering with the Shahadah, which is the Islamic declaration of faith, is a serious violation
of Shari’ah. One such example is the act of the al-Arqam group, who altered the Shahadah by
incorporating false claims. They asserted that Syeikh Muhammad As-Suhaimi is the Imam
Mahdi and equated him with the Khulafa’ al-Rashidun. This act is considered a major
deviation from mainstream Islamic teachings, as it distorts a fundamental tenet of Islam. The
Shahadah holds a central place in the faith, and any modification to its wording or meaning
especially without basis in the Qur’an or authentic Sunnah is strictly forbidden. Islam
prohibits the addition of any kind of words to the Shahadah that are not prescribed by divine
or prophetic authority. This is supported by hadith, such as the one found in Sahih al-Bukhari
(Hadith 2697), which emphasizes the importance of adhering strictly to the authentic
teachings and wording as conveyed by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
From Sahih al-Bukhari 2697:
ِ ت قَا َل َرسُو ُل هَّللا ْ َ ع َْن عَاِئ َشةَ ـ رضى هللا عنها ـ قَال،اس ِم ب ِْن ُم َح َّم ٍد ِ َ ع َِن ْالق، ع َْن َأبِي ِه، َح َّدثَنَا ِإ ْب َرا ِهي ُم بْنُ َس ْع ٍد، َُح َّدثَنَا يَ ْعقُوب
اح ِد بْنُ َأبِيِ َر َواهُ َع ْب ُد هَّللا ِ بْنُ َج ْعفَ ٍر ْال َم ْخ َر ِم ُّي َو َع ْب ُد ْال َو.ْس فِي ِه فَهُ َو َر ٌّد"
َ َث فِي َأ ْم ِرنَا هَ َذا َما لَي
َ صلى هللا عليه وسلم " َم ْن َأحْ د
.عَوْ ٍن ع َْن َس ْع ِد ب ِْن ِإ ْب َرا ِهي َم
Narrated Aisha: Allah's Messenger ( )ﷺsaid, "If somebody innovates something which is
not in harmony with the principles of our religion, that thing is rejected."
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CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the teachings of Al-Arqam significantly deviate from authentic Islam. Ashaari
Muhammad’s claims of receiving divine guidance beyond the final revelation contradict the
belief that Prophet Muhammad ﷺwas the last prophet. Islam strictly prohibits any new
spiritual law or revelation after him. Additionally, Al-Arqam’s focus on the unseen, such as
predicting the return of Sheikh Muhammad al-Suhaimi as the Mahdi, undermines the Islamic
belief that knowledge of the unseen belongs only to Allah. These claims are a clear deviation
from Islamic doctrine.
Tampering with the Shahadah by introducing false statements, like equating individuals with
the Khulafa' al-Rashidin, is an innovation (bid’ah) and a serious violation of Islamic
principles. Protecting the authenticity of the faith requires adherence to the Qur’an and
Sunnah, rejecting any unauthorized additions or deviations.
Through these three characteristics, which are misusing divine sources, making false claims
about the unseen, and altering the foundation of Islamic creed , Al-Arqam clearly strays from
the boundaries set by Shari’ah. This highlights the importance of verifying religious
teachings against authentic Islamic texts to avoid falling into misguidance, no matter how
spiritual or charismatic a leader may appear.
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REFERENCES
Al-Bukhari, Muhammad ibn Isma'il. Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Peacemaking, Hadith 2697.
Accessed April 25, 2025. https://sunnah.com/bukhari:2697.
Sharifah. “The History of Al-Arqam: How It Became Global Ikhwan.” Sinar Daily, February
25, 2024.
https://www.sinardaily.my/article/221284/focus/national/the-history-of-al-arqam-how-
it-became-global-ikhwan.
The Qur’an. Accessed May 1, 2025. https://tanzil.net/#27:65.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. “Ciri-ciri Ibadah dalam Gerakan al-Arqam.” By Raz Nurul
Sufia. 2024.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/382366927_AL-ARQAM_ASWAJA.
Universiti Putra Malaysia. “Correct the Beliefs of GISBH Followers.” Portal Ilmu. Accessed
April 25, 2025.
https://pic.upm.edu.my/article/correct_the_beliefs_of_gisbh_followers-82713.
