MALAYSIAN GOVERNMENT POLICY TO ERADICATE THE ISLAMIC HERETICAL SECTS

Abstract

This article aims to examined policy of Malaysian Government to eradicate the Islamic heretical sects. The research method used in this research is qualitative research with normative legal study and oral history approach. The main data sources is fatwas issued by the Ulama Council in Malaysia. This research concluded 3 results, namely: first, the criteria for Islamic deviant sects used in Malaysia are sects that adhere to contradictory beliefs about the true teachings of Islam as outlined in Quran and Hadith. Second, the pattern of ijtihad fatwas issued by the Ulama Council in Malaysia based on the concepts of theology, sharia and morality in the school of ahl al-sunnah wa al-jamā'ah. Third, there are two kinds of policies by the Malaysian Government to tackle the spread of misleading religious teachings. Fisrt, preventive policies, such as designing educational curricula against heretical teachings and preparing a Friday sermon on the need for Malaysian Muslims to avoid heresy. Second, curative policies, namely building faith restoration centers in order to guide followers of heretical teachings who have repented so that they can live according to true Islamic tenets.