Its president, Imran Kuna, said MCAS, set up in 1979, was given its name by the then Singapore mufti Syed Isa Semait in honour of Aboo Abdullah Abi al-Arqam, a companion of Prophet Muhammad, who generously offered his home for the education of new Muslims.

“We have recently come across several social media posts concerning the now-defunct Al-Arqam movement from Malaysia, which erroneously claimed to be associated with MCAS.

“We categorically reject such assertions and firmly deny any affiliation with GISBH, the Al-Arqam movement, or any of their past or current activities,” he said in a statement.

Imran also said MCAS took a serious view of the matter and don’t condone any misrepresentations or allegations or innuendoes linking it with Al-Arqam or GISBH.

“MCAS will not hesitate to take appropriate measures, including legal action, against any person or entities who seek to implicate MCAS in this matter,” he added.

Perlis, Selangor and Pahang have issued fatwas declaring GISBH’s activities deviant, citing their continued adherence to the teachings of Al-Arqam and the belief that its founder, Ashaari Muhammad, did not die in 2001 but “disappeared”.

The three states also denounced the economic system developed by GISBH, calling it unIslamic and said it did not comply with shariah principles.