Originally Posted by CarlosTheGaucho

ISIS is a fascinating topic.

In order to understand its genesis, one needs to get familiar with some of the history and doctrine of Islam.

The name of the leader of ISIS and a self appointed Caliph - Abu Bakr al Baghdadi, who is a PhD in Islamic studies if I'm not mistaken, is a reference to the first rightly guided Caliph following Mohammad's death - Abu Bakr.

Now why is that - according to the doctrine of Islam, "the best generation" of Muslims in the history if Islam has been the first generation, aka the rightly guided Caliphs ("Rashidun") - Abu-Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali. These are thought to be the best generation of Muslims in the history (besides the prophet Mohammad who should be emulated in everything he ever did or said by every follower of Islam). This is exactly what each Muslim attending Islamic studies is taught - the "best generation" were these.

The problem is, these have been, much like the "prophet" an incredibly successful and ruthless warlords, spreading Islam by the sword and terror. Slaughtering, enslaving and subjugating the non-believers. Spreading the Caliphate rapidly.

The goal of ISIS is to re-create Islam in the times of its "best generation". In a way a perfect reprise of what was happening during the times when Islam was at its peak, strong enough to rapidly spread in offensive Jihad and conquer new territory, subjugate or eliminate the Kuffar (unbelievers) or the "hyppocrites" - just think horses and camels instead of Toyotas.

An often cited misconception is that ISIS employs some sort of "extreme" Islam, that is not true, in fact ISIS employs the mainstream, Sunni Islam.

After all, for example the most famous manual on how to run an Islamic civilization - "the reliance of the traveler", a Sharia manual that is perfectly in line with the Islamic doctrine (it includes non-Muslims) is a certified mainstream interpretation of Sunni Islam. Certified for example also by the Al-Azhar university in Cairo - a major authority in the Islamic world.

ISIS' shortly lived Caliphate has been ruled by Sharia 100 pct. (pure Islam). If you'd read Dawik or later Rumiyah - the Islamic state magazine, every single move, every single call to action, every single aspect of the ISIS' existence has a very thorough background and justification in the doctrine of Islam.

Their call to arms was heard by about 50.000 Muslims worldwide who joined them in the Middle East from abroad. And by many more who support them in their host countries. Now after they've been defeated on the battlefield they've transformed into an international, guerilla-like Jihadi organization.