Upon conquering the region of Sinjar in Wilāyat Nīnawā, the Islamic State faced a population of Yazidis, a pagan minority existent for ages in regions of Iraq and Shām. Their continual exis - tence to this day is a matter that Muslims should question as they will be asked about it on Judg - ment Day, considering that Allah had revealed Āyat as-Sayf (the verse of the sword) over 1400 years ago. He ta’ālā said, {And when the sacred months have passed, then kill the mushrikīn wherever you find them, and capture them, and besiege them, and sit in wait for them at every place of ambush. But if they should repent, es- tablish prayer, and give zakah, let them [go] on their way. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merci- ful.} [At-Tawbah: 5].