Written by: Dr. Asad
Al-Qaeda Leader Sheikh Ayman al-Zawahiri:
ISIS is not affiliated with al-Qaeda in any way, nor does it maintain any ties with al-Qaeda. No consultation was made with al-Qaeda regarding the formation of this group; in fact, al-Qaeda advised against its creation.
When asked about his differences with ISIS, Sheikh Ayman al-Zawahiri stated, “We hold fundamental disagreements with them. Our approach focuses on eliminating occupying forces, resolving internal conflicts, exercising caution in regards to bloodshed, and refraining from targeting public spaces, mosques, and Mujahideen centers.”
Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi:
Assem Tahir al-Barqawi, also known as Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi, is a renowned scholar in the Arab world and a mentor to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. Revered as a spiritual leader among many Mujahideen, he expressed his views on Baghdadi’s so-called caliphate and ISIS: “By Allah, I have never seen a group of thieves, robbers, liars, and deceivers like ISIS. Their lack of comprehension of Islamic values and moral principles is profound. They claim exclusivity to the correct path, much like what is said of the Jews in [Quran 2:73]: ‘And do not believe except in those who follow your religion.’
He further added, “Their actions surpass those of the Kharijites. While the Kharijites considered major sinners as disbelievers, ISIS goes as far as excommunicating individuals who perform virtuous deeds. Their criteria for takfir (excommunication) are based purely on their own egos and desires. They lie more than the Shia and slander more than the Jews.”
Abu Qatada al-Filistini (Umar Muhmoud uthman):
Umar ibn Maḥmūd ibn ‘Uṯmān, known as Abu Qatada, was released from an extended period of detention in the United Kingdom in 2013. He faced terrorism-related charges from Western governments, but the Jordanian government exonerated and freed him in 2014. He was often regarded as Sheikh Osama’s representative in Europe.
Abu Qatada states about ISIS: “By Allah, only ignorant and vile people are drawn to Baghdadi’s fitna. We have tested their character many times, and found no one among them with true religious knowledge or morals; instead, they are highly immoral, exaggerating in their speeches and writings, and consider themselves superior to others.”
He further remarked, “On a daily basis, I seek divine guidance through istikhara prayer with escalating certainty that these individuals are dogs of Hellfire. This malevolent group, ISIS, leaves a trail of destruction wherever they tread.”
It is clear that ISIS has done nothing for the Islamic Ummah, Islam, Muslims, or the Islamic Caliphate. Instead, its objectives are solely to tarnish Islam’s reputation, fragment the Ummah, and divide and scatter it under various names—objectives that align closely with the aims of disbelievers.
