🕌 Al-Arqam is a controversial Islamic movement in Malaysia founded by Ustaz Ashaari Muhammad in 1968. It gained popularity but was later deemed deviant and banned by the National Fatwa Council in August 1994.

📈 The movement started with 10-12 members and grew to 5,000-6,000 members by 1987. It operated numerous economic projects, including 417 projects and various businesses.

🎶 Notably, popular nasyid groups like Rabbani and Raihan originated from Al-Arqam, initially known as Nadamurni.

🌍 Al-Arqam aimed for international outreach, establishing connections in the Middle East and forming a group of companies with 22 subsidiaries.

⚖️ The organization faced leadership crises, notably in 1979 and 1986, leading to internal conflicts and accusations of deviance from Islamic teachings.

🚨 In April 1994, 19 members were arrested in Egypt, leading to the group's ban in Malaysia. Ustaz Ashaari was detained and later released in 2004.

📝 In 2013, Hatijah, a leader of Al-Arqam, was arrested for attempting to revive the group. Many followers renounced their membership after the ban.

❓ The legitimacy of Al-Arqam remains debated, with various opinions on whether it is a deviant sect or a legitimate movement.