PETALING JAYA: A man who sought solace in religion after moving from his village to the big city unknowingly joined the banned Al-Arqam movement.
Mohd Asleem Amin (not his real name) arrived as a student in Universiti Malaya in 1980.
“Everything in the city felt new and modern to me. I had never been outside my state before, and the campus was very modern.
“It was also the first time I made friends with other Muslims who seemed very open about issues like fraternisation between men and women and women not wearing the tudung (scarf).
“I felt worried about the temptations of ‘being modern’ and losing my religious upbringing,” he added.
Mohd Asleem said he was introduced to Al-Arqam founder Ashaari Muhammad.
“I was captivated by his views on social justice and spiritual enlightenment.
“I listened to his sermons on cassettes and began meeting Al-Arqam members in Sungai Penchala.
“They were very welcoming. I also met many intelligent Malay graduates from the United States and Britain, whose ideas resonated with me.
“While I wasn’t keen on some of their teachings, such as polygamy, I was drawn to their principles of social justice and their methods of meditation,” said Mohd Asleem, now 62.
He said he went on to join the Al-Arqam group at their homes after classes.
“The Aurad Muhammadiah teachings became my go-to reference when I did not understand it and I took it all in,” he added.
The elements of Aurad Muhammadiah teachings, which were against Islamic teachings, were prohibited by the religious authorities, while Al-Arqam was declared deviant in 1994.
Mohd Asleem said he worked in the civil service, but held on to the Al-Arqam teachings.
“I would wear the kohl (dark makeup) on my eyes and a robe when I was not working but during work, I would be in my modern clothes.
“In 1994, the swoop began and I was taken in by the religious authorities. Luckily, I was not arrested but I was called in to go for “pemulihan aqidah” (rehabilitation of faith) lessons organised by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department.
“We were told to say the “syahadah” (a Muslim declaration of one God and His Messenger) once again as Muslims, as the authorities told us that the idolatry of Ashaari is wrong in Islam and we could become apostates,” he said.
“It took me some time, about two years, to give up the Aurad Muhammadiah teachings.
“But with much guidance from religious teachers, they managed to point out how my mind was idolising a mere man, when we were supposed to pray to only one God,” said Mohd Asleem.
He said he is thankful that he managed to return to the right path.
“I am grateful to those teachers who patiently guided me. They did not blame me for joining Al-Arqam.
“We should not blindly follow a religious teacher just because he is a mesmerising figure,” he said.
