By Ajmal
Islam is a religion of peace, moderation, and mercy. Allah the Almighty says:
«وَكَذَٰلِكَ جَعَلْنَاكُمْ أُمَّةً وَسَطًا»؛
“And thus We have made you a moderate nation.”
Therefore, any ideology or movement that leads to extremism, takfir, the shedding of innocent blood, and corruption stands in contradiction to the clear teachings of Islam. Young people must be aware that groups like ISIS misuse the sacred name of religion and conceal their political and destructive objectives under religious slogans.
ISIS attempts to recruit young people and even children through emotional manipulation, excitement, and misinterpretation. In the name of jihad, the caliphate, and the Islamic system, they present interpretations that do not align with the Qur’an and the Sunnah. Yet Allah the Almighty gives a severe warning in the Holy Qur’an regarding the killing of an innocent person:
«مَن قَتَلَ نَفْسًا بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ أَوْ فَسَادٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا».
So how can a group that kills innocent people claim to represent Islam?
In Islamic law, jihad has specific conditions, principles, and regulations. It is not a personal decision for anyone to make; rather, it is subject to legitimate leadership, a clear objective, and the interests of the Muslim community. Scholars have consistently emphasized that extremist and takfiri ideologies lead to division and weakness within the Ummah. Therefore, young people should learn their religion from authentic and trustworthy scholars, not from those who spread violence in the name of religion on social media.
Likewise, Islam is a religion of intellect, knowledge, and insight. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
«المؤمنُ كَيِّسٌ فَطِنٌ»؛
“The believer is wise and vigilant.”
A young person must measure every slogan, speech, and call against the criteria of the Qur’an and Sunnah. Any action that creates division among Muslims, spills blood, or causes destruction is a sign of satanic temptation, not divine guidance.
Leaders, parents, and respected members of society also bear a great responsibility. They must provide youth with sound religious understanding, educational opportunities, and a healthy environment. If a young person goes astray, the blame does not lie solely with them; society also shares responsibility. The warmth of family, guidance at school, and proper teachings in the mosque can protect youth from extremist ideologies.
ISIS exploits emotions, poverty, unemployment, and despair for its own agenda. Therefore, the solution is not only security measures but also intellectual, educational, and social reforms. When young people understand that Islam is a religion of knowledge, work, service, and ethics, they will never fall into ISIS’s traps.
In the end, it is the responsibility of each of us to spread the true message of the religion: the message of mercy, justice, and moderation. Youth should follow the path of knowledge, piety, and insight and not allow themselves to become victims of ISIS’s deceptive schemes. Islam is a religion that builds life, not one that destroys it.