Part 3
Ehsan Sajadi
A Critical Examination of the Theological and Jurisprudential Foundations of ISIS
1. The Distortion of Jihad and Its Misuse as a Justification for Terrorism
ISIS has severely distorted the sacred Islamic concept of Jihad, betraying the core principles of the faith and presenting this divine obligation in a cruel and inhumane light. In Islamic tradition, Jihad is fundamentally rooted in justice, the defense of the oppressed, and the preservation of human dignity. However, ISIS, a Takfiri extremist faction, has weaponized this noble tenet to justify the indiscriminate killing of innocents, the assassination of ideological opponents, and the deliberate spread of terror.
This perversion of Jihad echoes the methods of the early Khawarij, a deviant sect notorious for their rigid literalism and violent extremism. As their ideological successors, ISIS has revived this radical path, operating with the same fanaticism and disregard for the moral and legal boundaries defined by Islam.
Islamic jurisprudence outlines strict conditions and ethical guidelines for the conduct of Jihad. It explicitly forbids excess, treachery, mutilation, and the killing of non-combatants. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) clearly instructed:
“Do not transgress. Do not betray. Do not mutilate. Do not kill children.”
These principles, firmly rooted in the Qur’an and the Sunnah, form the ethical foundation of warfare in Islam. Yet ISIS systematically violates these commandments, frequently targeting women, children, and civilians. Their actions not only contravene Islamic law but also basic human decency, and they shamelessly publicize these atrocities to the world. Such conduct is entirely incompatible with the teachings of Islam.
Scholars from all major Islamic schools, including Imam Abu Hanifa, have consistently emphasized that Jihad is only permissible under specific conditions, primarily for the defense of Islamic lands and under the leadership of a just and recognized authority. ISIS, by contrast, has unilaterally assumed the right to declare and wage war on a global scale without any legitimate religious mandate. This self-granted authority mirrors the logic of the Khawarij, who similarly rejected legitimate rulers and declared their opponents to be apostates worthy of death.
In attempting to justify its violence, ISIS misappropriates Qur’anic verses that were revealed in specific wartime contexts during the early period of Islam. However, respected scholars have repeatedly asserted that such verses must be interpreted within their historical framework and harmonized with Islam’s universal ethical principles. ISIS’s selective and decontextualized interpretations are both methodologically unsound and dangerously misleading.
The group’s destruction of sacred sites, intentional spread of fear, and mass killings of innocent people are now infamous. These actions are categorically condemned by all credible Islamic traditions. Even in the most difficult circumstances of warfare, Islam prohibits the targeting of civilians, the destruction of public infrastructure, and the harming of animals. ISIS’s behavior represents a flagrant distortion of Islamic law, not its enforcement.
Despite its claims of implementing Shariah, ISIS has committed some of the most egregious violations of Islam itself. Its members are not recognized scholars or jurists. Rather, they are an ignorant and fanatical group who, after superficially engaging with religious texts, presume the authority to issue legal rulings and declare war. Leading scholars of Ahl al-Sunnah and prominent muftis across the Muslim world have unanimously denounced ISIS as un-Islamic. Just as the Khawarij were universally condemned throughout Islamic history, ISIS must also be recognized today as a deviant and anti-Islamic entity.
In conclusion, true Jihad in Islam is a noble endeavor conducted to uphold truth, justice, and the defense of the oppressed. It is never a license for senseless violence or the creation of chaos on Earth. By distorting this sacred concept, ISIS has not served Islam. Instead, it has inflicted immeasurable harm on its reputation and integrity. Muslims around the world must remain vigilant and understand that this bloodthirsty group, like the Khawarij before them, is destined for rejection and eventual demise. Islam is a religion of mercy, balance, and justice. It can never condone barbarity in any form.
