Daesh: Terror State Dr. Hafiz Ather Hussain al-Azhari @hafiz_ather

Format of the talk Introduction to Daesh; their beliefs and roots. Oft-used statements from their supporters & our answers. How to tackle extremism Questions & Answers.

Who is Daesh? Daesh is the Arabic abbreviations for al-Dawla al-Islamiyya fi al-Iraq wa al-Sham. Other names include: a. Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) b. Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) c. Islamic State (IS).

Who is Daesh? An ultra radical Islamic group that has seized large areas of Eastern Syria & Western Iraq. Led by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Their aim is to create an Islamic State throughout the region under one Caliphate.

What are their beliefs? Many observers have suggested they have been inspired by the Khawarij. In reality, Daesh is the result of ultra-Wahhabism (which itself was inspired by the Khawarij).

Remarks… Prophet Muhammad ﷺ clearly instructed us to adhere to the khalifa. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has announced he is the khalifa. We must swear our allegiance to him. If we do not, we will be held accountable on the Day of Judgement.

Answer. The matter has been oversimplified by Daesh. The Ulama have stated that the khalifa must fulfill certain conditions (i) Muslim (ii) Aqil (iii) Mature (iv) Free (v) Male (vi) able to carry his duties in terms of governance (vii) has to be from Quraysh (viii) visible and not hidden.

Remark We must support the Muslim Khilafat of Daesh. By not doing so, we are supporting the infidel state. Allah’s law is better than any other law.

Answer. They are not acting according to Islam. And the rule is ‘there is no obedience to the created in the disobedience of the Creator.’ Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) and his inaugural address as Khalifa.

Islamic state? Rape of women. Slavery of children. Applying the Islamic Hudud without due procedure and during a civil war Stealing and looting. The Khawarij did exactly the same thing with Ali. They went around claiming ‘there is no law except Allah’s’. Ali responded by saying ‘the words are true but used in a false context.’ Guilt as a part of Faith

Islamic state?

Daesh are performing an invaluable service by ridding the Muslim lands of any form of Shirk. Rightly so, they are bulldozing the idols and statues to the ground. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was sent to eradicate shirk, not uphold the symbols of it.

Khaled al-Asaad was assassinated in August 2015

Answer. Daesh are no Islamic police; they are corrupt to the bone. In June 2014, they robbed the central bank in Mosul of $425 million. The real reason for killing Khalid al-Asaad was money. He had refused to tell Daesh where the ancient gold of the site had been re-located.

Answer Prophet Muhammad ﷺ toppled the idols that were being worshipped. None in Syria & Iraq were being worshipped. Therefore the analogy is incorrect.

What answer will you give on the Day of Judgement when we are asked why you did not respond to the endless killing and oppression against Muslims?

Answer. No one disputes the fact that something should be done to help the oppressed Muslims. The question is how we should we react. Getting on the next plane to Turkey is not the answer.

Answer. Moreover, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ never suggested that we should respond with force and violence. ‘Whosoever sees an injustice, then he should change it with his hands. And if he cannot, then with his tongue. And if he cannot, then with his heart. And this is the weakest of Faith.’ In other words, use wisdom in your reaction.

How to react here in the UK. Abundant Du’as – Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said that ‘Du’a is the weapon of the believer.’ Be vocal via the correct channels. #WhoIsMuhammad ﷺ did more for Islam than Daesh have ever done. Stand together. Stop the petty disputes and differences. Make your conduct different to that of Daesh.

Remark If Daesh are the enemies of humanity, then why aren’t the governments and nations doing anything about it?

Answer. In simple terms, everyone has their own agenda. Daesh will be defeated when there is one collective agenda.

Further Reading @hafiz_ather @islamiccentre www.islamiccentre.org