# What is "sharia level"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 10, 2016, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-sharia-level/748541 "2016-03-10T14:47:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2016, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-sharia-level/748541/1 "2016-03-10T14:47:55Z")
In a current news story about recruitment documents/questionnaire used by ISIS that were obtained by a Syrian opposition newspaper, there is reference to 23 questions that are asked to all ISIS recruits. These include general information such as: Name Nationality Date of birth Education, etc. etc. But one item requested is: “ **Sharia level** ”. I know what Sharia law is. Is the level request similar to Thetan levels in Scientology? 😉 Or would this request be more of: “on a scale of 1-10 how adherent to Sharia law are you?” …or something completely different? ETA: link to news story: [http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/10/middleeast/isis-document-leak/index.html](http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/10/middleeast/isis-document-leak/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![Donnerwetter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Donnerwetter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donnerwetter)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2016, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-sharia-level/748541/2 "2016-03-10T15:06:48Z")
I have to question the authenticity of this “document” and the questionnaire: > [@](#): > > – Assumed name > > – Mother’s name > > – Blood type > > – Date of birth/ nationality > > – Marital status > > – Address and place of birth > > – Education > > – Sharia (or religious) level > > – Previous job > > – Countries visited > > – Point of border entry > > – Date of entry > > – **Who recommended you** > > – Previous jihad experience > > – **Fighter or suicide attacker** > > **– Field of specialty** > > – Current working place > > – Personal properties you leaving behind > > – The level of obedience > > – Address for future communication > > – **Date of death and place** ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2016, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-sharia-level/748541/3 "2016-03-10T15:24:06Z")
I assume that’s just a bad transcription by CNN, and that date of death refers to the mother. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2016, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-sharia-level/748541/4 "2016-03-10T17:54:58Z")
Since they asked who recommended you and ask where you currently work, I have to wonder if ISIS does some sort of background check on their recruits. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2016, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-sharia-level/748541/5 "2016-03-10T18:19:29Z")
“I’m sorry, sir, but your application has been denied because our investigation showed you are not a terrorist.” ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2016, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-sharia-level/748541/6 "2016-03-10T18:54:51Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > Since they asked who recommended you and ask where you currently work, I have to wonder if ISIS does some sort of background check on their recruits. I’d be quite surprised if they weren’t, as you can be damn sure the various CIA type organizations are actively trying to infiltrate ISIS. That’s pretty much their job, after all. ---
**Author:** ![Donnerwetter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Donnerwetter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donnerwetter)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2016, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-sharia-level/748541/7 "2016-03-10T18:57:51Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > I’d be quite surprised if they weren’t, as you can be damn sure the various CIA type organizations are actively trying to infiltrate ISIS. That’s pretty much their job, after all. Joining ISIS as a double agent for the CIA does take some serious cojones. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2016, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-sharia-level/748541/8 "2016-03-10T19:05:51Z")
> [@Donnerwetter](#): > > Joining ISIS as a double agent for the CIA does take some serious cojones. And yet, as mentioned, that’s their job. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2016, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-sharia-level/748541/9 "2016-03-10T19:13:51Z")
It would be cute if they had a Webelo level in terrorism. ---
**Author:** ![Some\_Call\_Me.Tim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Some\_Call\_Me.Tim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Some_Call_Me.Tim)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2016, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-sharia-level/748541/10 "2016-03-10T20:14:22Z")
Yeah, the sharia level grind is the worst. Mostly it’s boring fetch quests, mixed in with ‘kill 8 infidels’ sorts of quests. You do have to level up some to adventure in the more advanced ISIS zones, though. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2016, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-sharia-level/748541/11 "2016-03-10T21:44:47Z")
The article in the OP discusses this: > [@](#): > > Others are slightly more specific and speak to the organization they want to join – such as the person’s religiosity (or “Sharia level”), jihad experience and “level of obedience.” ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2016, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-sharia-level/748541/12 "2016-03-10T21:53:36Z")
Interviewer: Fighter or suicide attacker? Interviewee: Suicide attacker. Interviewer: Sorry, we’re looking for more experienced people. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2016, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-sharia-level/748541/13 "2016-03-10T22:14:34Z")
Trick question: _Have you ever participated in a successful suicide bombing attack?_ ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2016, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-sharia-level/748541/14 "2016-03-10T22:32:15Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Trick question: _Have you ever participated in a successful suicide bombing attack?_ Too easy. The bomb builder also “participates”. And so do the bystanders, come to think of it. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2016, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-sharia-level/748541/15 "2016-03-10T22:36:16Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Trick question: _Have you ever participated in a successful suicide bombing attack?_ When did you stop blowing yourself up?