Islamic State (IS)- Successors of Ibn Muljim

Imam Sadiq Mosque In Kuwait after IS Attack

Dr. Mazhar Naqvi

 Islamic State (IS) has proved it as a ‘worthy’ successor of Ibne-Muljim by carrying out on June 26, 2015 three violent terrorist attacks across three continents. In Kuwait, a suicide bomber attacked a mosque during the holy month of Ramadan. In France, a man hacked to death his employer and also made a bid to blow up a gas plant. Gunmen went on brisk firing on tourists on a beach in Tunisia.

By masterminding these attacks to kill Namazees or other innocent people in the holy month of Ramadan, IS has left bewildered the Muslims observing fasts these days. As these barbaric killings aim at dividing two major sects of Islam, the believers even with average knowledge of Islamic history would conclude in no time that what Ibne Muljim did by martyring Hazrat Imam Ali in the mosque Kufa on 19^th of Ramadan is being replicated by IS in 21^st century.

Abu Suleiman al-Muwahhid, hailed by IS  as the suicide bomber who attacked the mosque named after Imam Jafar Sadiq in Kuwait did so because of  his anti Imami attitude. The attack left 27 dead and over 200 injured. In Kuwait, it was not only the first attack on a mosque but also the worst of its kind in the country’s history. The attack took place just after the midday Friday prayers, when the mosque was at its busiest. Saudi Arabia -based Wilayat Najd, a recent affiliate to IS, took the responsibility for the attack. He represents the same group that   had previously taken the credit for attacking on two Imami mosques in Dammam and Qatif cities of Saudi Arabia.

Like other Gulf States, Kuwait has a large Imami population, accounting for as much as one third of the country’s 1.3 million citizens. This attack was carried out with the sole objective of shattering the peaceful coexistence of Imamis and non-Imamis so that national unity of Kuwait could be put at stake and the tentacles of sectarian violence could be spread across the Gulf region in general.

Since the fall of Saddam Hussain regime in Iraq, regional competition between Gulf States has taken on an increasingly sectarian element. Iraq and Syria have been traditionally used as proxy countries in the competition by two powerful nations (one pro American and another anti-American).But IS has of late started striking terror in other states like Kuwait. The new phenomenon has aggravated the divisions between societies that emerged after the Arab uprisings. In Kuwait, religious difference does not manifest in political or security issues but the ruling al-Sabah family also needs to acknowledge tensions and stress national unity.

Through barbaric killings and use of social media to brand itself as the most dreaded organization with so called  large following from Muslim youths of European nations, IS intends to highlight what it feels hypocrisy of the rulers. IS is trying to garner support from those people who might be displeased by their rulers’ tolerance for Imamis and their apathy towards   increasing Iranian influence in Gulf.

There is striking similarity in the circumstances leading to the martyrdom of Hazrat Ali and the recent attacks launched by IS. Ibne Muljim killed Imam Ali with a poisonous sword because the latter was too generous and always avoided bloodshed among the Muslims. His tragic killing had taken place after the emergence of Damascus as a center for spreading hatred against the family of holy Prophet. Under the leadership of Amir Muwaiya, a large number of people who were not aware of true tenets of Islam had rallied around him to raise voice against Imam Ali for material or worldly gains. As IS has been using social media to market violence, terror and attract gun-crazy youngsters, Amir had also started Hadees manufacturing units to level false allegations against the family of holy Prophet and to gain support from people for his rule on the basis of fatwas issued by paid Ulemas.

Similarly, IS has also been gaining support from Saudi Arabia and several other nations who are opposed to emergence of democratic values and more interested in the survival of monarchy .They want monarchial system to continue as this is the only way to keep Imami teachings at bay, for they always advocate protection of human values and creation of society based on the principles of equity, justice and piety.

Every Muslim needs to be aware of the real motives of IS and need to understand as to why ibne Muljim killed Hazrat Ali and why his followers are still existing? Pondering over this question and the resultant realization would help them understand the challenges before the Muslim Brotherhood. Since Ramadan is the month to seek spiritual development, why can’t believers initiate a campaign to increase understanding among the various sections of Islam. Such a move will surely appease Allah and prevent gullible believers from becoming the followers of Ibne Muljim.