In 1994, Gymnastiar established Cooperative Pondok Pesantren (Kopontren) DT to prop up his dawah. In 1993, Pondok Pesantren Da'arut Tauhiid Foundation was built with a three-story building, which is used for the business activity. The difference between Al-Arqam and DT is the lesser exclusivity of DT and its availability to the public. The establishment of DT was inspired by the success of the Al-Arqam movement in Malaysia which became influential by meeting the needs of daily lives in an Islamic way. In 1990, he founded Pondok Pesantren Da'arut Tauhiid (DT) through KMIW at Gymnastiar's parents' house which then moved to Gegerkalong Girang street, equipped with a 20-unit cabin and financed directly by its owner at Rp 100 million. In 1987, he and his friends joined the Family of Muslim Student Entrepreneurs (KMIW), an institution pioneered in the entrepreneurial business in small business fields such as sticker making, shirts, key chains, and stationery with religious slogans. In 1982, he became the Commander of the Student Regiment at the General Achmad Yani Academy of Engineering. Дuring the 80s, under the guidance of Jujun Junaedi in Garut, West Java, he deepened the spiritual understanding of laduni (science without learning process). His ability to appear in public was also honed as a debater at his university. Gymnastiar was born as one of four children, and he had worked from the ground up such as selling newspapers and driving public transportation to self-finance while attending the after schooling in electrical engineering before turning into an entrepreneur. He has been gradually regaining his popularity since then.

The controversy had a major impact on his popularity and business. Many fans were disappointed, stopped visiting Da'arut Tauhiid, and went down the street protesting against his polygamy. The topic of discussion about the family is concentrated on the housewives, to the point that he is referred as ' ustad of the happy family.' This image became controversial when the media announced Gymnastiar's polygamous marriage with Alfarini Eridani, also known as Teh Rini in December 2006, when he had been married to his first wife Hajjah Ninih Muthmainnah, also known as Teh Ninih, since the year 1988 and had seven children. At the peak, he had a substantial number of followings, and his media enterprise had regular audience of more than 80 million people.

While conventional scholars preach about the virtues of prayers, fasting, and the splendor of heaven, Gymnastiar chooses to tell about the importance of sincerity, peace, and serenity ( sakina) of family, using everyday language that is accessible and affectionate. Gymnastiar is considered favored by its audience due to his construction of image as a religious figure different from other scholars. His sermons revolve around self-control, conscience, tolerance, and persistence of faith.

Gymnastiar became popular by introducing a unique way of preaching by theatrical style with practical messages of Islamic propagation that can be commonly applied to everyday life. Yan Gymnastiar (born January 29, 1962), better known as Abdullah Gymnastiar or Aa Gym (lit: elder brother Gym), is an Indonesian Islamic preacher, singer, author, businessman and founder of the Da'arut Tauhiid Pondok Pesantren in Bandung. Pondok Pesantren Da'arut Tauhiid Foundation (1993).Pondok Pesantren Da'arut Tauhiid (1990).Family of Muslim Student Entrepreneurs (KMIW, 1987).Islamic preacher, singer, author, entrepreneur, founder of the Da'arut Tauhiid Pondok Pesantren, Founder of AA GYM (Fitness Center) Pondok Pesantren Miftahul Huda Manjonjaya.PTKSI Bandung Institute of Technology.

Aa gym teh rini