The muzakarah committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs (MKI) said this includes the belief that the water used to soak the feet and beards of GISBH’s leaders could bring blessings.

The committee’s chairman, Nooh Gadot, said GISBH also practised economic models that had elements of slavery, with followers required to voluntarily serve the company with their needs of followers fully borne by the firm as their reward.

Nooh urged Muslims to stay away from such teachings or possessing any material with elements of these beliefs.

“This committee also suggests that government agencies at the federal and state levels assist in the process of rehabilitating (the GISBH followers) and allocate a suitable amount of funds for this purpose,” he said in a statement.

He said the muzakarah committee’s view on GISBH has been presented to MKI chairman Sultan Nazrin Shah of Perak and the Conference of Rulers.

Nooh said the relevant state religious authorities may consider using the muzakarah committee’s view in gazetting their own fatwas on GISBH.

Most states have declared GISBH’s teachings as deviant after police raided 20 welfare homes linked to the company in September and rescued 402 children, some of whom were allegedly sexually abused or taught to assault others.

Since then, more than 600 children have been rescued from GISBH-linked welfare homes.

Some of GISBH’s top leadership were among 58 people who have been detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma).

Last month, Nasiruddin and Adib At-Tamimi Ashaari, the son of the late Al-Arqam founder, were among 21 people charged with being members of an organised criminal group since 2020.