My answer to Why have Islamic extremist groups like ISIS, Boko Haram, the Taliban, and Al-Qaeda grown and thrived?
Answer by Abbey Laurel-Smith:
What most people don't know is what we now call “Islamic extremist groups” are common and are a norm to the religion. They are strict and are seen and allowed to hold a different view of things. And no matter what! they are to be supported by the community.
They started as the Khawarij or the Outsiders. And right from the onset of the religion, they have always been warriors for the religion. They fought alongside Prophet Mohammed and against him – probably wounded him (can't remember very well) because they disagree with his approach to an issue on a battle field.
The Khawarij are of the opinion that judgement belong to God alone. They don't believe in arbitration or popular consent as a way of allowing people to make decision.
- They believe in martyrdom or dying for the sake of God and ones believe.
- They believe fighting jihad is norm.
- They believe you are to be killed once you deviate from the religion.
- They assassinated Ali after the battle of siffin for agreeing to an arbitration.
- They have always been a source of insurrection against any ruling body, and were against the Caliphate for almost a hundred years after the death of Prophet Mohammed. This means they see themselves as the true perpetrators of Arab spring…that’s why the whole AS movement was so easy to be hijacked by home grown and Saudi sponsored ISIS.
I also think their ways and existence was sanctioned by Muhammad al-Bukhari in his book “sahih al-bukhari”
This book is one of six major hadiths – kutub al-sittah. And it is regarded and seen as next, and the most trusted after Prophet Mohammed’s hadith.
There existence is cultural and so long as it is religiously sanctioned, then we are in for a long ride.
That is why i propose walking the way of King Axum in my Middle East Policy at http://Veterans’talkback.quora.com
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