Publisher's Synopsis
The arrival of the self-declared Islamic State (ISIS) onto the global scene has ignited fierce debate on whether said entity is to be, or can be, considered Islamic. This essay briefly examines the veracity of the arguments affirming the Islamicity of ISIS with that of those in opposition. The chief materials used in this study were the Islamic scriptures (Qur'an and Hadith) and sanctioned Sunni texts, alongside them the Dabiq magazine of ISIS and The Letter to al-Baghdadi were used as complementary primary sources; providing direct inputs from either side. Specific topics relevant to ISIS were examined (jihad, caliphacy, slavery) in order to determine whether the actions of ISIS are normative or abnormal. This investigation determines that indeed their actions can be labeled as normative, and thus Islamic. Conversely, this essay argues that studies on normativity can be affected by essentialization; additionally, this essay also introduces ideological alternatives to possibly counter the spread of ISIS and like groups.
