Part 1
By: Osama Haqqani
ISIS turns a blind eye to the killing of Israeli and American generals, yet systematically targets religious scholars. The nexus between the leadership of this group and foreign intelligence agencies is glaringly evident through their operational patterns. This occurs while Israeli generals ruthlessly massacre innocent children, women, and the elderly, and persistently desecrate Islamic sanctities, even leveling heinous and baseless slanders against the Great Prophet of Islam (PBUH).
Rather than confronting such adversaries, this group assassinates the scholar who has spent his entire life aging in service to propagating the religion of Allah Almighty. Can such individuals ever establish a Caliphate capable of safeguarding the lives and properties of the Ummah?
ISIS has cast a dark shadow over the noble concept of the Islamic Caliphate. This Khariji group portrays Islam to the world through a lens of fear, terror, violence, and decapitation, whereas the sacred religion of Islam was revealed to eradicate oppression. When the Holy Qur’an was revealed, the world was engulfed in brutality and tyranny; yet in its wake, compassion and justice flourished, and the strongholds of oppression crumbled one after another.
Under the leadership of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his companions, insecurity was transformed into security. Whether they were Muslims, non-Muslims, or Jews, all resided in peace and tranquility under the umbrella of the sacred Islamic State. This was the Islam that bestowed serenity upon both mankind and the Jinn.
“And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to all the worlds.”
(Qur’an 21:107)
This verse clarifies that the Prophet of Islam (PBUH), and by extension the religion of Islam, serves as a fountainhead of mercy, compassion, and benevolence for all humanity. Today, the Daeshi Khawarij portray Islam to the world through a lens of fear and oppression. Is the faith that Muhammad (PBUH) presented to humanity consistent with the ideology propagated by ISIS? Or has ISIS brought forth a new religion from heaven?
Undoubtedly, Muhammad (PBUH) is the final Prophet, and his Sharia is the ultimate divine law. ISIS, however, is treading a deviant path. It is recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari:
“The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) purchased food supplies (barley) from a Jew and pledged his armor as collateral.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 2509 and 2916)
The companions of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) also frequented Jewish markets during the peaceful period in Madinah to engage in trade. If a system built upon the blood of the Ummah’s youth is to be declared apostate merely due to commercial relations, then what would be the verdict regarding the companions of the Prophet (PBUH) who traded in those markets?
Ultimately, we conclude that ISIS is a misguided group that has transgressed the red lines of Islam. The version of Sharia that ISIS puts on display bears no relation to the sacred Sharia of Muhammad (PBUH).