proper method to classify ISIS

Submitted by myth (Germany), Sep 15, 2014 at 08:49

I agree non-muslims lack the authority to pass judgement on the "true" Islamic nature of ISIS. However, methods exist for outsiders to judge a closed community. Methods exist for laymen to judge experts. Consistence serves as the key criterion. One can judge the work of a plumber by comparing his work against the other plumbers that worked the same spot all those years before. Or judge him by comparing the various work done for a range of clients and measure by the degree to which it produces equally good and comparable results.

Applied to ISIS it is fair to say that ISIL's proclamations are consistent with many publications coming from orthodox Islamic authorities. ISIS' actions today are consistent with early recorded history of early Islam. ISIL's application of sharia law at least is consistent over time measured by their own standards.

That said, ISIS' methods and actions demonstrate resemblance with other violent movements in recorded Western history as well. This opens the essential question. Given that ISIS is consistent with a variety of Islamic publications and history, is it Islamic by nature? In other words, is there a specific signature in their crimes and is it genuinely Islamic? Could one take a random victim of ISIS and identify the motive as Islamic merely by looking at the detailed nature of the crime? I would suggest a clear yes. ISIS attends to these details and ensures these details would connect to Islamic texts leaving the spectator no other choice but to believe in the Islamic nature of the crime.

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