In the Name of God: The Infinitely Compassionate and Merciful Lord
That I condemn ISIS with every cell of my body goes without saying. Their barbarism knows no bounds, and I pray that the Lord brings to an end their reign of terror and inhumanity. The murder of American photojournalist James Foley, who was exposing the Syrian government’s brutality, just further shows that these thugs are nothing more than psychopathic barbarians, cloaking their evil in religious garb. My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Mr. Foley and all other victims of ISIS’ brutality.
That being said, they do purport to act in the name of Islam, and they claim to have re-established a “Caliphate,” which is a polity allegedly governed in succession to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Yet, what they do defames both the letter and spirit of the Prophet and his faith. This is the first in a series of posts that will outline how far they have strayed from true Islamic teaching.
First and foremost, ISIS violates the sanctity of life, which the Qur’an defends vigorously:
Come, let me convey unto you what God has [really] forbidden to you: “Do not ascribe divinity, in any way, to aught beside Him; and [do not offend against but, rather,] do good unto your parents; and do not kill your children for fear of poverty – [for] it is We who shall provide sustenance for you as well as for them; and do not commit any shameful deeds, be they open or secret; and do not take any human being’s life-[the life] which God has declared to be sacred -otherwise than in [the pursuit of] justice: this has He enjoined upon you so that you might use your reason. (6:151)
And do not take any human being’s life -[the life] which God has willed to be, sacred-otherwise than in [the pursuit of] justice. (17:33)
In no way, shape, or form does the killing of Foley, or any other civilian, even possibly come close to being in the “pursuit of justice.” In fact, the Qur’an deems that the taking of innocent life is like killing all of humanity:
Because of this did We ordain unto the children of Israel that if anyone slays a human being-unless it be [in punishment] for murder or for spreading corruption on earth-it shall be as though he had slain all mankind… (5:32)
How is punishing Foley because of – justified, I might add – American attacks against ISIS be just? How could killing people – just because they follow a different religion – be characterized as just? It is not. It is inhuman, and completely un-Islamic.
Which brings me to the second (of many) point about ISIS. News reports detail how the barbarians of ISIS told Iraqi Christians: “convert, pay a tax, or die.” This is wholly antithetical to both the letter and the spirit of Islam. Freedom of faith is paramount in Islam. The Qur’an cannot be clearer:
There shall be no coercion in matters of faith…(2:256)
That verse is enough, but the Qur’an goes even further:
And [thus it is:] had your Lord so willed, all those who live on earth would surely have attained to faith, all of them: do you, then, think that you could compel people to believe? (10:99)
But wouldst you [O Muhammad], perhaps, torment yourself to death with grief over them if they are not willing to believe in this message? (18:6)
And say: “The truth [has now come] from your Lord: let, then, him who wills, believe in it, and let him who wills, reject it.” (18:29)
Unto every one of you have We appointed a [different] law and way of life. And if God had so willed, He could surely have made you all one single community: but [He willed it otherwise] in order to test you by means of what He has vouchsafed unto you… (5:48)
For had God so willed, He could surely have made you all one single community; however, He lets go astray that wills [to go astray], and guides aright him that wills [to be guided]; and you will surely be called to account for all that you ever did! (16:93)
Have, then, they who have attained to faith not yet come to know that, had God so willed, He would indeed have guided all mankind aright? (13:31)
And [because He is your Creator], it rests with God alone to show you the right path: yet there is [many a one] who swerves from it. However, had He so willed, He would have guided you all aright. (16:9)
It is not required of thee (O Messenger), to set them on the right path, but God sets on the right path whom He pleases. (2:272)
This mantra “convert or die” is not and has never been part of Islamic teaching. In fact, the only groups who believe that Islam says “convert or die” are Islamophobes and the barbarian terrorists to who kill in its name. (More about the “tax” on Christians later)
Bottom line: there is nothing remotely “Islamic” about ISIS and its ilk. They are evil, satanic, barbarians, and they must be resisted – in other words, a jihad must be waged – against them by all who believe in decency and justice.
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