ISIS: Islam on Display

The journalist looks up to the sky as the blind fold is removed. He is awaiting his

eminent death. He is on his knees, hot, clay-colored sand surrounds him. The abyss of sand

reflects the harsh rays of the sun, emitting heat. His mouth is dry, he hasn’t been fed in days,

and has not had water in hours. His mouth is cracked and dry. The orange jumpsuit like that of a

prisoners reflects his state of being, He longs for his family, his wife and his daughter. He will

never see them again. He sobs as he is trying to make peace with this fact. As he thinks about it,

the reality of never seeing his family hits him like a freight train. He imagines his daughter going

off to college. He sees her as she walks down the aisle at her wedding. And lastly he pictures his

grandchildren, cared for by their lovely mother, and his beloved daughter. He will never see his

grandchildren. Whack! His shoulder burns from the impact of the rifle. He is not sure if it is

broken. The hit brought him down, head in the sand, hands covering his face, crumbled and

submissive. He is quickly yanked up by loud men in dark robes, covered from head to toe. They

yell in a language he can’t understand pull him back up and make him sit with his back straight,

still on his knees. They start talking to a camera that he notices has been placed a few feet in

front of him. The speech is several minutes long, but feels like a few moments to the journalist

because he knows what is coming. He had written about it for magazines, and now he would be

the one to be written about. He knows that he is going to die. As soon as the speech is over he

feels a hand shove his head down, but only his head. His neck is exposed. The sawing starts. He

lets out a writhing scream, the last noise he will ever make. Then it is over. His life has come to

an end. Very quickly his head is decapitated and removed from his limp, bleeding body. The ISIS

militants hold it up to the camera for the world to see

I hope after reading that, that your stomach is churning and you are saddened, maybe

you even shed a few tears. But my point is not merely to make you cry, to make you sad, or ruin

your day. I want to make a point. ISIS is dangerous, ISIS is ruthless, and ISIS must be stopped.

But how do we stop them? How do you cure a respiratory infection when you have it? Do you

get Kleenex? Do you take cold medicine? I’m sure you do. These things help with the

symptoms. The Kleenex helps with the runny nose. The medicine may help with the fever, and

possibly even the cough and congestion. However, these things are not the cure. If you want to

get better, you have to go to the source of the problem. The source of the infection must be

taken care of. Targeting the cause rather than then the effects. You take antibiotics to deal with

the infection. You go to the source causing the problem. You wipe out the infection and the

fever goes away. There is no more runny nose, and no more cough. That is what must be done

with ISIS. We need to examine what makes them tick and what makes them do what they do. A

lot of people, perhaps the majority in the western hemisphere would say that they want

political gains. That they want to destroy the western world, and that Islam is a very small

factor, if it is a factor at all. I think that although they want to grow and expand, they are

motivated to do this by their faith and that this is the main motivation. ISIS claims that they do

what they do because they are doing what they do because they are called to by the Quran and

are following the model of Muhammed. Let’s examine and see if Islam is just a cover for ISIS, or

if it is possibly something more for them.

To get an idea of whether or not ISIS is representative of Islam, we must first look at the

Islamic faith. Examining the Quran seems like a pretty good place to start becauseit is

essentially the guide for Islam. It is the basis for the faith. Without the Quran there is not a

Muslim. Just like if there were no blue-prints for a building, there would be no building. In order

to examine the scriptures, we need to understand how the Quran and other Islamic scriptures

are meant to be read. First off, the Quran is supposed to be the word of Allah, the Muslim god.

Allah according to the Muslim scriptures is known to be a perfect being which is incapable of

contradicting himself. Because the Quran is the word of Allah, the scripture must also be

perfect and therefore, unable to contradict itself. Verses in the Quran says that it is not up for

interpretation, but that it must simply be taken as what it is. Such examples include: Chapter 6,

verse 115 “Shall I seek for judge other than Allah when he it is who has sent down the book to

you clearly explained….” Chapter 11, verse 2 “This is a book who verses have been made

unchangeable and have been expounded in detail.” (Quran chapters 6,11) This strict rule of no

interpretation is what the individuals in ISIS base their beliefs around. This means that whatever

the Quran commands to do, must be done. There is no room for a Muslim to either question

the words of Allah, to disobey them, or to take them in a way that they would like. No matter

how they feel about them, they must take them as the words of a supreme god that must be

followed. This idea of strict readings of the Quran and other Muslim scriptures is what is

typically found in the sect of Sunni Muslims. They are the faction of Muslims that make up ISIS.

Sunnis are typically thought to be the more traditional sect of Islam. On the other hand, Shiites

believe in innovation of the Quran, forward thinking in order to make it fit into the context of

the circumstances of the present. This stance is seen by Sunnis as being dishonoring to Allah,

and is not to be tolerated. This leads to the perpetrator being considered an apostate.

According to The Atlantic, a newspaper who has been around for over a hundred years, an

apostate is someone who denies the holiness of the Quran or who renounces the holiness of

the words and prophesies of Muhammed. (What ISIS Really Wants) being considered an

apostate is grounds for punishment, and often times killing of someone who dishonors Allah in

a brash act against him. This can be seen closely relatable to sin, which is supposed to be

forgiven by brothers of the faith (What ISIS Really Wants). The big difference is that one leads

to death and the other forgiveness.

Now that we have seen how the Quran says that it is supposed to be read and

interpreted, we can examine some verses in it. But before we start looking at verses in the

Quran, I would like to address those that would say ISIS is not representative of Islam. That ISIS

is made up of radical Muslims who are not representative of the faith and are not truly what

Islam is about. That terrorist groups such as theirs are the reasons that Muslims have a bad rep

in the western media, and that they make all people who practice Islam seem violent and like

terrorists. First I would like to say that the statement that all Muslims are violent is ridiculous.

This is obviously false. I know people who are Muslims. Some are in my classes. They are by no

means violent people. They do not commit acts of terrorism, neither should they be

discriminated against. These are some of the same people who would say that Islam is a

peaceful religion, that ISIS is horrible and does not represent what they know to be true of their

religion. I know that the majority of Muslims who are not a part of a terrorist group are not

violent or committing acts of terror. They would point to ISIS and say that at best they could be

considered radical Muslims, and at the other end, they would not be considered Muslims at all

because the things that they do are violent and harm others. Things which they themselves do

not do, or other Muslims that they know do not do. They will cite scripture in the Quran that

says to kill one innocent person is to kill every innocent person. “If anyone slays a person, it

would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved

the life of the whole people.” (Quran Chapter 5, verse 23) These points that are made by these

Muslims are valid. Most of the Muslim population is not violent, with only a small percentage

being parts of groups that commits acts of terror, or other acts of violence. This is supported by

the evidence that there are approximately 1.6 billion Muslims in the world, and ISIS as well as

other Islamic terrorist groups are small in number when comparing to that of 1.6 billion. (Pew

Research Center) However, I do not believe that this discredits ISIS as being unfounded in what

they do, when looking at the Islamic texts.

When you look at the texts of the Quran, you will see both violent verses where

Muslims are told to kill the non-believers, or brothers that turn from the faith. Chapter 8, verse

12 "I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads

and strike off every fingertip of them" You will also see verses that say to be peaceful with the

non-believer and to show them mercy. As already stated, the Quran cannot contradict itself, if

so, then the Islamic faith crumbles upon itself. Therefore, these verses must coincide somehow.

I would provide the option that by looking at these verses in the context of Jihad, they fit

together in harmony. David Wood, a Christian Apologist who has degrees in philosophy and

biology, and is pursuing a Ph.D in Philosophy of Religion gives the stages of Jihad. First, As a

Muslim, be peaceful with both your brothers and the non-believers when you are outnumbered

by them. Secondly, have a defensive jihad when you have the ability to fight. Mercy can still be

shown. Lastly, when you have the substantial numbers and have the ability, subjugate and kill

the non-believers who will not convert. (Is ISIS Islamic?) One of the most prominent figures in

Islam is Muhammed the prophet. He is the one that Muslims are supposed to follow the

example of. When trying to see what a good Muslim looks like, you look at him. When

examining Muhammed, and the contexts of when he said and did certain things, you see this

pattern and template for jihad. In some parts of the Quran, Muhammed is peaceful with the

non-believers. This is when he is outnumbered and has a small following,. When he gains

followers and has the ability to, he subjugates and kills the non-believers. Whatever stage a

Muslim finds himself in determines what they are supposed to do, guided by the Quran, and

the example of Muhammed. This idea of looking at the scriptures according to the context of

the current stage of Jihad allows the verses that seem to conflict with one another, fit together.

In this way the book is holy and perfect, and the words of Allah are not contradicting with one

another, and remain in perfect unity. So what does this mean? For one it means that Muslims in

different parts of the world are called to do different things and to act in different ways. A

Muslim who stands alone, who is outnumbered is supposed to be peaceful. They are to treat

others with mercy, and to be kind to the non-believer. Muslims who find themselves in the

position of opportunity to take over by force are called to do that. This is ISIS. They have seen

an opportunity and have decided to fulfill the duties found in the Quran. They look to verses

like “Surely, Allah has purchased of the believers their persons and their property in return for

the Garden they shall have, they fight in the cause of Allah, and they slay and are slain…"

(Quran 9:111) or “O ye who believe! Fight such of the disbelievers as are near to you and let

them find hardness in you, and know that Allah is with the righteous.” (Quran 9:123), or even

yet “So be not slack and sue not for peace, for you will certainly have the upper hand. And Allah

is with you, and he will not deprive you of the reward of your actions.” (Quran 47:36). These

verses are in the context of Muhammed waging an offensive Jihad. The prophet to whom every

Muslim looks to.

The Islamic state is waging this offensive Jihad, exemplified by Muhammed. They are

gaining more and more ground and more and more territory. They are ruthless. Killing the non-

believers and apostates alike. They have also gotten a Kalif. This is supposed to be a chosen

leader of the Muslims and of the Kaliphate. That is the united group of Muslims who are trying

to bring about the end-game of Jihad. The Kaliphate is supposed to encompass Muslims, and

the Kaliph is supposed to be their leader and spokes-person. This person is Abu Bakr al-

Baghdadi (What ISIS Really Wants) This process of obtaining a Kaliph is not an easy one, but

onethat is required by the Muslim scriptures when waging a lasting Jihad. ISIS is not merely

taking land and gaining territories in disregard for what the Quran and other Islamic texts say,

they are actually following them very carefully. This is huge in arguing the case that they are

Islamic. If they were merely trying to use Islam as a cover for their true motives, or if they were

not actually following what the Quran says to do, then why are they actually doing it? It’s

simple. They are following what the Quran says.

In addition to them being true to doing what the scriptures tell them to do, I would also

like to point out some interesting numbers, and to make an interesting observation. The Pew

Research Center, a world-renowned and often cited source for statistics, did surveys regarding

Sharia Law and other things that relates to it. They surveyed Muslims in multiple countries,

asking them multiple questions. When asked if they supported killing those who left the Islamic

faith, 79 percent of those who answered in Afghanistan said they did. 76 percent in Pakistan, 86

in Egypt, 82 percent in Jordan, and 66 percent in Palestine territory. Eleven out of the twenty

countries in which the survey took place had at least a fourth of the Muslim population say that

they supported those who left the Islamic faith being killed for it. (Muslim Beliefs About Sharia)

As you see, not all Muslims are opposed to some of the same actions that ISIS is doing. What I

am about to say is going to be very abrasive. I want to preface it with explaining that I am not

saying that Muslims in the western hemisphere are liars, That they are hypocrites, that they

deserve to be punished in any way or even that they should fall victim to discrimination based

on their religion. I do not endorse any of these things. However, I would like to point out that if

we look at it through the context of the Quran in reference to Jihad, then we would think that

the Muslims here who are greatly outnumbered, would be doing exactly what they are

supposed to be doing. According to the Huffington Post, only one percent of the United States’

population is Muslim. (Americans Think The Country’s Muslim Population Is Bigger Than It

Really IS) These Muslims are being peaceful with the non-believers who surround them. Again I

am not trying to say that Muslims in the United States, or anywhere for that matter are liars

and that they are saying that ISIS is not representative of the Islamic faith because they are in a

different stage of Jihad from their brothers over-seas. I am not saying this at all. However, I feel

that this is a logical explanation and I would be remised in not pointing this out to the reader.

In conclusion, ISIS and what makes ISIS tick is important because of what they are doing.

Public opinion does not necessarily mean that something is true. To truly see whether or not

ISIS is Islamic, we have to look at the Islamic texts. . I hope you see that looking at the Quran in

perspective of Jihad does not change the meaning of the verses but merely puts them into

accordance with each other so that they do not conflict with one another. I hope you see that

when you do this, verses make sense, and that ISIS seems to be doing just what it is supposed

to be doing in reference with the Muslim texts. I would like to again add that opinion polls in

African and Middle-eastern countries shows support for doing some of the same actions that

ISIS is taking part of. Even Muslims who are not directly involved with ISIS support things that

ISIS is doing because they are called to do these things when reading through the Quran and

studying the life of Muhammed. Lastly, Muslims in the western world would be justified in

reference in the stage of Jihad in not publicly supporting ISIS.

Works Cited

Ali, Maulawi. The Holy Quran. Tilford, UK: Islam International Publications Ltd.

2004. Print

Graeme Wood. “What ISIS Really Wants.” The Atlantic. March 2015. Web news article. February

26 2015. <http://www.theatlantic.com/features/archive/2015/02/what-isis-really-

wants/384980/>

"World's Muslim Population More Widespread than You Might Think." Pew Research Center

RSS. 6 June 2013. Web. 2 Apr. 2015. < http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-

tank/2013/06/07/worlds-muslim-population-more-widespread-than-you-might-think/>

"Debate: Is ISIS Islamic? David Wood (Christian) vs. Osama Abdallah (Muslim)." YouTube.

YouTube, 24 Dec. 2014. Web. 2 Apr. 2015. < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKH-

sInknQM>

Pew Research Center “The World’s Muslims: Religion, Politics, and Society.” Pew Research

Center April 30 2013. Web article. March 2 2015 <http://www.pewforum.org/2013/04/30/the-

worlds-muslims-relgion-politics-society-beliefs-about-sharia/>

"World's Muslim Population More Widespread than You Might Think." Pew Research Center

RSS. 6 June 2013. Web. 2 Apr. 2015. < http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/02/american-

muslim-population_n_6076872.html>