Salafi-Jihadism

Deviant

الجهادية السلفية

Overview

A militant ideology combining Salafi theological language with Qutbist political theory (from Sayyid Qutb's late works Milestones and In the Shade of the Quran) and Abdullah Azzam's globalized jihad methodology. Applied through organizations including al-Qaeda (founded 1988 CE) and later ISIS/Daesh (founded 2013 CE). Represents a Kharijite methodology in modern form — declaring Muslim rulers and ordinary Muslims kafir, considering their blood lawful, and using extreme violence against Muslim civilians.

Key Beliefs

  • Takfir of Muslim rulers and governments not ruling by Shari'ah
  • Offensive armed jihad against Muslim rulers, their supporters, and 'apostate' states
  • Extreme version of hakimiyyah — sovereignty in governance as a pillar of tawhid
  • Killing of Muslim civilians permissible as 'collateral damage' in pursuit of Islamic state

Scholarly Evaluation

Condemned unanimously by Ahl us-Sunnah scholars as a modern manifestation of the Kharijite methodology. The Prophet ﷺ described the Khawarij as 'the worst of creation' (Sahih Muslim 1066). The Council of Senior Scholars of Saudi Arabia, al-Azhar, and major Islamic institutions worldwide have issued unanimous condemnations. Scholars note the irony that the movement uses 'Salafi' language while violating the most fundamental Salafi principle — following the path of the Companions, who did not rebel against Muslim rulers.

Key Figures

  • Sayyid Qutb (1906–1966 CE) — ideological foundations
  • Abdullah Azzam (1941–1989 CE) — globalized jihad theory
  • Osama bin Laden (1957–2011 CE) — al-Qaeda
  • Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (1971–2019 CE) — ISIS/Daesh

Sources

  • Sahih Muslim 1066 (Khawarij — worst of creation)
  • Council of Senior Scholars of Saudi Arabia — fatwa on terrorism
  • Al-Suyuf al-Batira (Ibn Baz — refutation of Kharijite methodology)

Founded

1988 CE