Selangor: Muslim posing as prophet and professing “deviant” doctrines arrested

A 65-year-old man claimed to have met Adam and Muhammad several times. He ‘taught’ that prayer and fasting are not mandatory if one ‘is tired’. The man was arrested during a raid in Rawang along with three followers. Experts say claims of prophetic authority or alternative spiritual insights emerge in times of social uncertainty.

Kuala Lumpur (AsiaNews) - Malaysian religious authorities have arrested a 65-year-old man in Selangor after he claimed to be a prophet and taught doctrines considered contrary to Islamic law. The State Islamic Religious Department (Jais), one of the most rigorous enforcers of Muslim faith in the country, confirmed that the man was arrested during a raid in Rawang along with three followers: two men and one woman.

According to Jais director Shahzihan Ahmad, preliminary investigations show that the suspect allegedly told his followers that he had met the prophets Adam and Muhammad several times. He is also accused of teaching that prayer and fasting are not compulsory if a person feels tired or is elderly.

The suspects were arrested under Section 7 of the Sharia Criminal Offences (Selangor) Act 1995 for allegedly performing “rituals contrary to Islamic law”. The main suspect is also being investigated under Section 8 of the same law for allegedly claiming to be a prophet, a serious offence in Malaysia, where Islamic authorities strictly regulate matters of belief and doctrine among Muslims.

Recurring pattern

Although such incidents are rare, there is no shortage of precedents in the nation's religious landscape, where in recent decades the authorities have taken action against groups or individuals accused of deviating from traditional Sunni Islam, the officially recognised doctrine in the country. Among the most famous cases is that of Al-Arqam, a movement founded in the 1960s that promoted an alternative Islamic communal lifestyle and was banned in 1994 for allegedly deviant teachings. Its leader, Ashaari Muhammad (pictured), was arrested under internal security laws.

In 2000, the militant group Al-Ma'unah shocked the nation after stealing weapons from a military arsenal in Perak in what authorities described as an insurrection attempt driven by extremist beliefs.

However, perhaps the most controversial figure from a public perspective was Ayah Pin, leader of the so-called ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ in Terengganu. He claimed spiritual authority over all religions and built symbolic structures that blended Islamic, Christian and Hindu elements. The movement was dismantled by religious authorities in the mid-2000s.

Control of doctrine

Malaysia operates a dual legal system in which Islamic matters for Muslims are dealt with by state religious authorities and Sharia courts, while civil law governs the general population. Each state has religious control bodies authorised to investigate and prosecute what are termed “deviant teachings”. Religious officials often emphasise that this enforcement is intended to protect doctrinal purity and prevent confusion among believers. Critics, however, argue that the line between preventing exploitation and restricting religious expression can sometimes be blurred, particularly when dealing with small charismatic groups.

Social factors

Experts and scholars also point out that claims of prophetic authority or alternative spiritual insights often emerge during periods of social uncertainty or among individuals seeking deeper meaning beyond institutional religion. Today, although generally stable, the nation has witnessed episodes of religious fervour amplified by social media, in which fringe teachings can spread rapidly within closed networks.

Scholars of religious affairs in the country have repeatedly warned against charismatic figures who claim special revelations or exemption from fundamental Islamic obligations, such as prayer and fasting. In Sunni orthodoxy, the Prophet Muhammad is considered the “Seal of the Prophets” and any claim to prophecy is considered heretical. Finally, Malaysia's Federal Constitution declares Islam to be the religion of the federation, while guaranteeing freedom of worship. In practice, however, matters relating to Islamic doctrine among Muslims are closely monitored. The Selangor case highlights the continued vigilance towards movements perceived as detrimental to orthodox faith, while investigations are still ongoing.