Part 6
Author: Junaid
The Khawarij were a deviant sect that first emerged during the early years of Islam. Historically, they have reappeared across different times and regions, consistently displaying a pattern of ideological extremism and violence. Their distinguishing traits include a departure from the authentic teachings of Islam, the distortion of religious principles, and an obsessive tendency to excommunicate and kill fellow Muslims.
Numerous Prophetic traditions (Ahadith) address the menace of the Khawarij, labeling them as the “dogs of Hell” and even worse than animals due to their destructive nature.
Though the original Khawarij groups no longer exist, the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) make it abundantly clear that this deviant ideology will reemerge in various forms throughout Islamic history. Upon examining the heinous crimes and brutality committed by ISIS, and comparing them to the traits described in these Ahadith, it becomes evident that ISIS represents the Khawarij of our era. Their beliefs and actions unmistakably reflect the same violent and misguided ideology, making it religiously obligatory to resist and confront them.
It must be emphasized that pledging allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is an invalid and impermissible act. Despite their claims, ISIS is not a legitimate state in the eyes of Shariah. Their self-declared status as an “Islamic State” is a deception, and their attempt to associate themselves with Islam is fundamentally false. In reality, they have no connection to the religion of Islam.
ISIS manipulates the name of Islam and distorts the concept of jihad to lure impressionable youth and misguide Muslims across the globe—from China to Atlanta—by promoting a delusional vision of an ideal state where their personal ambitions would be fulfilled. However, do these followers truly believe their mission is destined to succeed?
Certainly not. Their entire worldview is rooted in false prophecies and delusion. They imagine that through acts of terror and oppression, they will emerge as victors. This delusion fuels their enthusiasm for atrocities that sow instability in religious communities worldwide.
At the core of their global campaign lies a sinister objective that must never be allowed to materialize: they aim to incite the West against the Islamic world in order to falsely legitimize their violence. Simultaneously, they seek to deceive uninformed Muslims into supporting their corrupt ideology and destructive agenda. This dual strategy—fomenting global discord and recruiting internal sympathizers—makes ISIS not just a political threat, but a spiritual and moral crisis for the Muslim Ummah.