Delegitimizing ISIS On Islamic Grounds: Criticism Of Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi By Muslim Scholars

The Islamic State (or Caliphate, al-Dawla al-Islamiyya) has sparked intense outrage and protest throughout the world since its inception in June 2014. Many Muslims share this sentiment. On September 19, 2014, a group of 126 Muslim scholars addressed an open Letter to the ruler of ISIS, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. The Letter contains a rebuttal of al-Baghdadi’s claim to religious and political authority, and condemns ISIS’ policies as well as the statements, argumentations and actions of al-Baghdadi and his supporters. The critics base their position almost entirely on Islamic grounds, citing Koran, Prophetic sayings and statements by past theologians and jurists.