At an Islamic State checkpoint on the southern outskirts of Kirkuk, a billboard declares, "The Islamic State: A Caliphate in Accordance with the Prophetic Method." This phrase has gained traction among jihadists, frequently appearing on social media platforms like Twitter, where users share images and quotes related to it. The Islamic State's spokesman, Abu Muhammad al-Adnani, has also embraced this phrase, using it to counter criticisms from al-Qaeda regarding the Islamic State's extremism. He stated that a true Islamic state should be governed by the Quran and the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad, urging followers to support and establish a caliphate based on these principles.
This phrase is rooted in a prophecy attributed to the Prophet Muhammad, which suggests that after his death, religious authority would decline, leading to a period of secular and abusive governance until the caliphate is restored. The prophecy outlines a cyclical pattern: "Prophethood will be among you as long as God intends, and then God will take it away if He so wills. Then there will be a caliphate according to the prophetic method. It will be among you as long as God intends, and then God will take it away if He so wills. Then there will be a mordacious monarchy..." This cycle continues until the caliphate is reestablished.
When the Islamic State declared its caliphate in June, Adnani referenced this prophecy, asserting that the elimination of national borders and the rejection of nationalism would pave the way for the caliphate. The Islamic State has further promoted this narrative through various means, including patches worn by soldiers and official letterhead that features the slogan.
The prophecy's narrative suggests that Muhammad ceased to speak after predicting the restoration of the caliphate, leading many Sunni jihadists and apocalyptic thinkers to interpret this silence as a sign that the caliphate would be restored at the end of times. Among these was Anwar al-Awlaki, who theorized that Muslims would ultimately reestablish the caliphate after defeating their enemies. He posited that modern military capabilities would prevent any caliphate from lasting until this ultimate victory was achieved. The Islamic State currently tests this theory in its ongoing operations.
The Brookings Institution, which published this analysis, emphasizes its commitment to quality and independence in research. Paranormal Country has not confirmed the claims made regarding the Islamic State's use of prophecy to justify its actions.
Image: Paranormal Country · Source: brookings.edu