Surah 2:216: “Fighting is prescribed for you, and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth, and ye know not.” Not only does this verse establish that violence can be virtuous, but it also contradicts the myth that fighting is intended only in self-defense, since the audience was obviously not under attack at the time. From the Hadith, we know that this verse was narrated at a time that Muhammad was actually trying to motivate his people into raiding merchant caravans for loot.

Surah 2: 191 -193: “And kill them wherever you find them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out. And Al-Fitnah [disbelief or unrest] is worse than killing…but if they desist, then lo! Allah is forgiving and merciful. And fight them until there is no more Fitnah [disbelief and worshipping of others along with Allah] and worship is for Allah alone. But if they cease, let there be no transgression except against Az-Zalimun (the polytheists, and wrong-doers, etc.)” (Translation is from the Noble Quran) The historical context of this passage is not defensive warfare, since Muhammad and his Muslims had just relocated to Medina and were not under attack by their Meccan adversaries. In fact, the verses urge offensive warfare, in that Muslims are to drive Meccans out of their own city (which they later did). The use of the word “persecution” by some Muslim translators is thus disingenuous (the actual Muslim words for persecution – “idtihad” – and oppression – a variation of “z-l-m” – do not appear in the verse). The actual Arabic comes from “fitna” which can mean disbelief, or the disorder that results from unbelief or temptation. Taken as a whole, the context makes clear that violence is being authorized until “religion is for Allah” – ie. unbelievers desist in their unbelief.

I could go on, but the point is that if Islam is a religion, essentially of interpreting the Qu’ran and the Hadith, (the Qu’ran being the final revelation from God, no other writing is needed, it is the end all be all of theology, philosophy, politics, etc. A belief that is already an incitement to violence) and if Islam does not recognize any Imam as having any higher claim, (though Shi’a Islam does), over any other as long as the umma, or community agrees, then on what foundation can you say that the supposed, peaceful, just, and good parts of the Muslim faith represent the true faith, as opposed to all the elements of Qu’ran, the supposed literal word of God transcribed by Mohammed, or some others? ISIL has every right to call themselves a Muslim movement, as you have to call yourself a Muslim.