The Hazimiyah current of the Islamic State: from religious discourse to extremist ideology

ABSTRACT This paper looks at the origins, foundation and implication for the emergence of the most radical existing extremist current within the Islamic State i.e. Al Hazimiyah. Abu Umar Al Hazimi, initially a rather unknown Salafi scholar and the inspirator of the extremist current, rejected the concept of Ignorance as an excuse (Udhr Bil Jahl) generally accepted by radical jihadi organization, including the Islamic State. While he was never a member of any jihadi organization, his speeches triggered the emergence of the most extremist violent jihadi current and a deep rift with the Islamic State which destabilized the organization from within. Using the speech act theory and extensive filed work and interviews, this paper analysis the foundation of Al Hazimi preaching’s on the concept of ignorance and how this was reinterpreted and translated into a radical faction of the Islamic State causing a major rift inside the organization.