A controversial Islamic movement that stirred national security concerns in Malaysia.
Religion: Islam
Denomination: Sunni Islam
Founder: Ashaari Muhammad
Founded: 1968
Ended: 1994
Location: Malaysia
Other Names: Jamaah al-Arqam, Darul Arqam
Al-Arqam, officially known as the Darul Arqam movement, was an Islamic revivalist group that emerged in Malaysia in the early 1980s. Founded by Ashaari Mohammad, Al-Arqam sought to establish a model Islamic society and gained significant attention for its distinctive approach to Islam, its communal living, and its entrepreneurial ventures. However, the group faced controversy and was ultimately banned by the Malaysian government in the 1990s, citing deviations from mainstream Islamic teachings and potential threats to national security.
Founding and Ideology
Ashaari Mohammad established Al-Arqam in 1968, but the movement gained prominence in the 1980s. Ashaari, often referred to as Abuya by his followers, was inspired by his vision of creating an ideal Islamic community. The core ideology of Al-Arqam was based on a strict interpretation of the Quran and the Hadith, emphasizing the importance of returning to the practices of the early Muslims.
The movement advocated for a comprehensive Islamic way of life, encompassing not only religious rituals but also social, economic, and political aspects. Al-Arqam’s teachings included a focus on personal discipline, communal living, and a rejection of materialism, which they saw as corrupting Muslim society.
Community and Practices
Al-Arqam established communes throughout Malaysia and in a few other countries. These communes were self-contained communities where members lived and worked together. The movement placed a strong emphasis on self-sufficiency, and many of its communes were equipped with their own farms, schools, and businesses. Members were encouraged to engage in communal economic ventures, which ranged from agricultural projects to small-scale industries and retail businesses.
The group also ran its own educational system, which included schools and learning centers where the curriculum was deeply rooted in Islamic teachings. Children in Al-Arqam communes were educated within this system, often separate from the national education system.
One of the distinguishing features of Al-Arqam was its entrepreneurial spirit. The movement successfully established numerous businesses, including but not limited to clothing stores, food outlets, and health products. These businesses were marketed with an Islamic ethos and catered to the broader Muslim community in Malaysia and beyond. The economic success of these ventures played a significant role in attracting new members and sustaining the movement’s activities.
Controversies and Ban
Despite its successes, Al-Arqam attracted controversy. The Malaysian government and mainstream Islamic authorities viewed some of the group’s teachings as heretical. Criticisms focused on claims that Ashaari Mohammad possessed special powers and communicated with the Prophet Muhammad, which were seen as contradictory to Islamic doctrine.
In 1994, the Malaysian government, under the leadership of then-Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, banned Al-Arqam, declaring it a deviant sect that posed a threat to national security. The ban was also supported by the argument that Al-Arqam’s teachings could potentially cause divisions within the Muslim community in Malaysia.
Following the ban, Al-Arqam’s assets were seized, and its communes were dismantled. Ashaari Mohammad was arrested and later released, but he was barred from speaking publicly and continuing his activities with the movement.
The ban led to the dissolution of Al-Arqam as an organized movement. Many former members reintegrated into mainstream society, while some continued to practice their beliefs in private. Ashaari Mohammad himself turned to more mainstream business ventures and stayed out of the public eye until his death in 2010.
image via alarqamislamicschool.org
