Al-Arqam
Al-Arqam official logo | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| Estimated tens of thousands (before the ban) | |
| Founder | |
| Ashaari Muhammad | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore, Thailand | |
| Malaysia | Significant presence prior to ban |
| Indonesia | Moderate presence |
| Brunei | Smaller presence |
| Scriptures | |
| Quran and the teachings of Ashaari Muhammad (Aurad Muhammadiyah) | |
| Languages | |
| Malay language | |
| Al-Arqam began in 1968 but was banned in Malaysia in 1994 and later rebranded as the GISBH, which continues to this day. | |
Al-Arqam, also known as Darul Arqam, is a Malaysian-based Islamic movement founded by Ashaari Muhammad. Named after Al-Arqam ibn Abi al-Arqam, a companion of Muhammad, the movement was officially banned by the Malaysian federal government on 21 October 1994. Following the ban, over five members, including Ashaari Muhammad, were arrested in Thailand under the Internal Security Act (ISA) and deported to Malaysia.
Despite the ban, the movement's influence persisted through several business ventures that became widely recognized, including the Rufaqa' Corporation, Global Ikhwan, and GISBH (Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings). These enterprises, particularly Global Ikhwan, attracted widespread media attention, notably for the Ikhwan Polygamy Club and Obedient Wives Club which were perceived as efforts to revive Al-Arqam.
In addition to its business ventures, the movement continued to face scrutiny for its religious teachings. Two books authored by Khadijah Aam, Ashaari’s wife, were banned on religious grounds for claims that Ashaari had been empowered by God with supernatural abilities. These claims further fueled concerns among religious authorities about Al-Arqam’s deviance from orthodox Islamic teachings.