Aliff Daniel ordered to undergo faith rehabilitation for improper worship

RAWANG - The Gombak Barat Syariah Lower Court in Kuang today ordered a 21-year-old man, who went viral for participating in religious rituals contrary to Islamic teachings, to undergo a three-month faith rehabilitation programme at Pusat Pemurnian Akidah Baitul Iman in Hulu Yam.

Syariah Judge Mohd Faizal Habib issued the order after Aliff Daniel Adli pleaded guilty to a charge of engaging in improper acts of worship at a temple in Batu Caves two years ago.

The court also advised him to seek taubat nasuha (sincere and complete repentance) and return to the right path, stressing that his actions constituted a serious offence involving tauhid (the oneness of Allah).

"This measure imposed by the court is not merely about punishment, but also about the impact it will have on you and the lesson you can learn from it. Would an RM3,000 fine be sufficient to teach you a lesson in a case involving faith? Or would a two-year prison sentence be enough? That remains uncertain.

"The court cannot be certain to what extent such measures would help you become a better person. However, the court has considered the proposal submitted by the prosecution under Section 54(1) of the Syariah Criminal Offences (Selangor) Enactment 1995, which allows the court to impose a corrective measure.

"The court advises you to repent, as this is a serious offence involving syirik (associating partners with Allah). You must seek taubat nasuha. This repentance is a matter between you and Allah," the judge said.

According to the charge, Aliff Daniel had engaged in improper acts of worship by carrying religious items belonging to another faith at a temple in Batu Caves between 9 pm and 11 pm on Jan 24, 2024.

The charge was framed under Section 4(1) of the enactment, which provides for a maximum fine of RM3,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both, upon conviction.

In his judgment, Mohd Faizal advised the accused not to squander his youth on activities that could harm his future, but instead to pursue more constructive endeavours for his own well-being and that of his family.

"The offence you committed is not merely an ordinary criminal offence; it concerns your aqidah (faith) and tauhid as a Muslim. You were born a Muslim, unlike a convert who is only beginning to learn about Islam.

"It is true that you may have been exploring other things when you were 18, but you must know and understand the boundaries. At your age, there is so much more for you to consider than engaging in acts that are inappropriate for a Muslim," the judge said.

Earlier, Syariah Prosecutor Zamniazura Mohd Sarin from the Selangor Syariah Prosecution Department urged the court to exercise its discretion under Section 54(1) of the same enactment to replace imprisonment and a fine with an order for rehabilitation at a faith-purification centre.

"Under this provision, a person convicted of an offence may be placed under a rehabilitation or counselling order at a rehabilitation centre for a period not exceeding six months," she said.

Zamniazura handled the case together with fellow Syariah prosecutors Siti Nor Hashibah Jamhari and Husaini Roslin.

Meanwhile, Aliff Daniel, who was unrepresented, pleaded for a lighter sentence, saying he was caring for his mother, who had recently undergone surgery, and expressing remorse for his actions.

He also clarified that the photographs circulating on Facebook were old, dating back to 2024, when he was 18.

"Why were those photographs not uploaded in 2024? Why only now? I no longer engage in acts that contravene Syariah law or involve shirk. I have changed and repented. Therefore, I appeal to the court to allow me to attend religious guidance classes instead," he said, his voice breaking with emotion.

However, Zamniazura submitted that an offence remained an offence regardless of when it was committed, and maintained that a rehabilitative order was appropriate to prevent the accused from repeating his actions.

After the proceedings, Aliff Daniel, who was dressed in a white shirt and a kopiah (skullcap), was taken by enforcement officers from the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) to the faith rehabilitation centre in Hulu Yam to begin serving the three-month rehabilitation order, effective today. - BERNAMA