Islam and Beheading

There has been a world-wide outcry against the beheadings of non-Muslims in the Middle East. This is not surprising because there is a natural human revulsion against such grotesque and vile deeds. Likewise, some Muslims have been condemning the terrifying spectacle of these gruesome and bloody beheadings too.  

Justification

Of course, it would, indeed, be rare that anyone would ever argue that it is permissible to behead an innocent person. A rational person would consider such an argument moral insanity. It is axiomatic that an innocent person is never legitimately punished, let alone beheaded. Even the militant Muslims don’t believe that an innocent person deserves to be punished. So, why do they behead these individuals?