Al-Zawahiri even criticized al-Baghdadi’s audacity in challenging the legality of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan or the Islamic Emirate of the Caucasus. According to him, it is inconceivable that a Muslim leader would call to cancel or not recognize the oath of allegiance taken by millions of Muslims in the Indian subcontinent and other regions to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. According to him, such behaviour is not befitting of a caliph.



Al-Zawahiri emphasized that he does not recognize the caliphate founded by al-Baghdadi since it was founded in sin and is not conducted in accordance with the path of the Prophet Muhammad, nor does he recognize al-Baghdadi’s title of Caliph since he is not fit for this position in light of his conduct. According to him, several religious clerics share this opinion, including Abu Qatada al-Filistini, Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi, Hani al-Sibai and Tariq Abdul Haleem. Nevertheless, he emphasized that despite the differences of opinion between the organizations regarding the way in which the Islamic Caliphate should be re-established, they must maintain unity among the ranks. Moreover, he even hinted at his willingness to work together with the IS to fight against their enemies, including the Crusaders, the secularists, the Alawites and the Shi’ites.