GISB Controversy: A Turning Point for Addressing Deviance and Restoring the Khilafah

News:

In recent weeks, Global Ikhwan Sdn Bhd (GISB) has faced intense scrutiny from authorities following long-standing concerns over its deviant practices. While reports had been lodged against GISB much earlier, the recent actions by the police mark the first significant move to curtail the group's activities. GISB, which traces its roots to the now-defunct Al-Arqam movement, has drawn widespread attention for its propagation of the reputedly deviant Aurad Muhammadiyah practices and alleged misconduct, especially in the running of welfare homes. The authorities have thus deemed it necessary to halt GISB's operations entirely, including its businesses and social outlets, in an effort to contain what they view as a major threat to religious and societal harmony.

Comment:

The current focus on GISB's deviance highlights a broader issue that should not be overlooked—the misalignment between current societal systems and Islamic principles. While GISB's teachings have been extensively criticized by netizens, the government, and others, the real question is not just about the group's doctrinal errors. We must also consider the systemic problems within the government, economic structures, and legal frameworks that are not aligned with Islamic law. For instance, governance systems that operate without regard for Islamic values create a disconnect between faith and societal operations. Similarly, economic systems rooted in usury and inequality, as well as legal frameworks that prioritize secularism over Shariah, reflect deeper societal deviations from Islam. These deviations have a far-reaching impact, leading not only to doctrinal misguidance but also to moral and social decay within the country. What’s reflected in this crisis, in fact, goes beyond doctrinal deviations. While the authorities have acted swiftly against GISB, other ideologies and vice practices that also contravene Islamic principles continue to flourish unchecked. The systemic failure to address these broader societal deviations contributes to the erosion of Islamic values in everyday life.

Unfortunately, some Muslim leaders have sought to stifle any movement that calls for the return to true Islam, labelling such efforts as extremist or deviant. This reveals an underlying resistance to the re-establishment of Islam, with some leaders willing to suppress initiatives that advocate for the total application of Shariah for fear of being associated with extremism.

To conclude, while the exposure of GISB’s doctrinal misguidance is important, it should be seen in the context of broader societal failures. The root of the issue lies not only in the doctrinal deviance rampant in the society but also in the systemic divergence from Shariah-based governance, economy, and law, which collectively contribute to the moral decline we witness today. We call upon society to re-examine the systems under which we live and to work towards reinstating a fully Islamic way of life under the Shariah, which can only be achieved through the re-establishment of the Khilafah (Caliphate). Without such a comprehensive governance framework, efforts to rectify instances of deviance will remain incomplete, and the moral fabric of society will continue to erode.

Written for the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir by
Dr. Mohammad – Malaysia