One article in the 8th issue of the Islamic State's (ISIS) English-language magazine Dabiq titled "Erasing the Legacy of a Ruined Nation" attempts to justify the destruction of archeological and artistic treasures as occurred at the Mosul museum[i]. The three-page article presents arguments backed by citations from the Hadith and Koran accompanied by photos illustrating the destruction at the Mosul museum.
The author's main theological argument is that in destroying the idols, ISIS is faithfully following the example of the Prophets Muhammad and Abraham, who likewise destroyed their nations' idols. The author argues that the archeological treasures were venerated by the public, served a nationalistic agenda and caused people to stray from the worship of Allah. He explains that Allah had destroyed previous civilizations guilty of idolatry, who do not merit admiration but serve as reminders that we should fear Allah's wrath.
Screenshots from Dabiq magazine's featured article justifying ISIS' destruction of archeological treasures.
The following are extracts from the text:
"Last month, the soldiers of the Caliphate, with sledgehammers in hand, revived the Sunnah [tradition] of their father Abraham whenthey laid waste to the shirkī [idolatry] legacy of a nationthat had long passed from the face of theEarth.
The piece emphasizes that ISIS is delighted with the horrified reaction many in the West expressed upon hearing this news.
“They entered the ruins of the ancient Assyrians in Wilāyat Nīnawā and demolished their statues, sculptures, and engravings of idols and kings. This caused an outcry from the enemies of the Islamic State, who were furious at losing a ‘treasured heritage.’ The mujāhidīn, however, were not the least bit concerned about the feelings and sentiments of the kuffār, just as Ibrāhīm was not concerned about the feelings and sentiments of his people when he destroyed their idols. ”
“With the kuffar[infidels] up in arms over the large-scale destruction at the hands of the Islamic State, the actions of the mujahidin had not only emulated Abraham's destruction of the idols of his people and Prophet Muhammad’s destruction of the idols present around the Ka’bah when he conquered Mecca, but had also served to enrage the kuffar[infidels], a deed that in itself is beloved to Allah.”
Further defending the destruction of these statues, the author explains, “The kuffār[infidels] had unearthed these statues and ruins in recent generations and attempted to portray them as part of a cultural heritage and identity that the Muslims of Iraq should embrace and be proud of. Yet this opposes the guidance of Allah and His Messenger and only serves a nationalist agenda that severely dilutes the walā’ that is required of the Muslims towards their Lord. “
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With the kuffar [infidels] up in arms over the large-scaledestruction at the hands of the Islamic State, theactions of the mujahidin had not only emulatedAbraham's destruction of theidols of his people and Prophet Muhammad’sdestruction ofthe idols present around the Ka’bah when he conquered Mecca, but had also served to enrage the kuffar [infidels], a deed that in itself is belovedto Allah.
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May Allah cleanse all Muslims’ lands of the idols of both the past and the present."
