The digital age has transformed information sharing, enabling religious movements to reach global audiences through the Internet and media. While this connectivity fosters knowledge and dialogue, it also poses risks when groups spread misleading or heretical teachings that deviate from the established Islamic doctrines.
Recently, the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (AROPL), has been accused of misleading Muslims worldwide by leveraging online platforms and media to promote its beliefs. The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, founded in 1999 and led by Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq, is a Shia-derivative new religious movement that claims to represent “true Islam” while diverging significantly from mainstream Islamic teachings.
Through sophisticated use of the Internet, including social media, YouTube, satellite TV, and its official website, AROPL promotes doctrines that many Muslim scholars consider heretical, such as belief in seven covenants, with the current one led by Ahmed al-Hasan, whom they regard as the prophesied al-Yamani, the Deputy of the Mahdi. They also claim that the Ka’aba is in Petra, Jordan, not Mecca, and that Ramadan occurs in December. The acceptance of practices such as moderate alcohol consumption, non-mandatory hijab, and tolerance of LGBTQ individuals contradict traditional Islamic rulings. AROPL also alleged that Abdullah Hashem was the Qāʾim Al-Muḥammad, a divinely appointed figure named in the will of Prophet Muhammad, a claim clearly disputed by mainstream Muslims.
AROPL’s global reach, facilitated by state-of-the-art media equipment and journalists, has raised concerns among Muslim communities. Posts on X and online discussions, such as those on Reddit, warn that AROPL is a “deviant sect” actively spreading its teachings on platforms like TikTok, potentially misleading Muslims unfamiliar with accepted Islamic doctrine. In Malaysia, the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs declared AROPL a deviant sect in 2023, citing its misalignment with Islamic principles. This widespread dissemination of unorthodox beliefs underscores the need for Cyber Fiqh to guide Muslims in discerning authentic teachings and protecting their faith.
Cyber Fiqh provides a framework for Muslims to navigate the digital world while adhering to Shariah principles. It is crucial to address the challenges posed by groups such as the AROPL, which uses the Internet to propagate misleading narratives. The significance of Cyber Fiqh is as follows: a) It helps Muslims identify and counter teachings that deviate from the Qur’an and Sunnah, ensuring adherence to the majority doctrine. b) It establishes guidelines to safeguard intellectual property, personal data, and privacy, and prevents exploitation in the digital space. c) It fosters responsible online behaviour by encouraging Muslims to verify information and avoids spreading misinformation. d) By providing tools to evaluate digital content, Cyber Fiqh empowers Muslims to distinguish authentic Islamic teachings from unorthodox claims.
To protect Muslims from misleading influences and ensure ethical digital interactions, Cyber Fiqh offers guidelines on respecting intellectual property and ensures the integrity of Islamic scholarship. Muslims should verify the authenticity of religious content by consulting reputable scholars and sources. They should avoid sharing or reproducing unverified material that may misrepresent Islamic teachings. In addition, they should acknowledge the work of legitimate Islamic scholars and publishers while adhering to the principle of fairness.
In Islam, protecting personal data is a form of trust (Amānah). Muslims should be cautious about sharing personal details on unfamiliar websites or platforms promoting unorthodox beliefs and should use secure, reputable platforms for religious education to avoid data misuse. They should also be guided to report suspicious online activities, such as phishing or unauthorised data collection, to protect the community.
Privacy is a fundamental Islamic right. Muslims should respect privacy of others by not sharing personal information or conversations without their consent. They should avoid engaging with platforms that pressure individuals to disclose their private beliefs or affiliations. The spread of misleading teachings can cause public confusion. Hence, they should seek guidance from trusted scholars privately to clarify doubts regarding nonconformist teachings.
While AROPL promotes its beliefs online, Muslims must exercise their freedom of expression responsibly to counter misinformation without causing harm. This includes sharing verified Islamic knowledge to educate others and avoiding slander or defamation (Surah Al-Hujurat 49:12). Another practice that can be taken is by engaging in constructive dialogue to refute misleading claims using evidence from the Qur’an and Sunnah. Should they come across harmful or misleading content on social media platforms, they should report it to the authorities to limit its spread.
To combat the misleading influence of groups like AROPL and uphold Cyber Fiqh principles, Muslims can take action by educating the community, strengthening digital literacy, advocating for ethical platforms, and supporting persecuted communities.
Indeed, the AROPL’s use of the Internet and media to spread unorthodox teachings highlights the urgent need for Cyber Fiqh. By providing guidelines on intellectual property, personal data, privacy, and responsible expression, Cyber Fiqh equips Muslims to navigate the digital world with discernment and integrity. As we confront the challenges of misleading narratives, let us embrace Cyber Fiqh to preserve authentic Islam, protect our rights, and foster a digital environment rooted in justice, truth, and compassion.
