Yasir Qadhi - The Modern Jihadists: Khawarij or Mujahideen?

About this lecture

In this wide-ranging lecture delivered in Norway, Sheikh Yasir Qadhi critically examines the ideology and historical track record of modern jihadist movements, asking whether groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS represent legitimate mujahideen or mirror the ancient Khawarij sect condemned by the Prophet ﷺ. Drawing on detailed case studies — including Juhayman al-Utaybi's 1979 seizure of the Ka'bah, the assassination of Anwar Sadat, the Luxor massacre, and the writings of former al-Qaeda ideologue Dr. Fadl — he argues that these movements consistently cause far more harm than good, and that the jihad of Muslims living in the West must be one of education, humanitarian action, and exemplary character rather than indiscriminate violence.