A man who voluntarily joined the Islamic State (IS) has fled the group and is trying to return home. 

In a recent interview, he explained his reasons for linking with the terrorists in Syria, and gave an inside look into what life was like as a fighter for the caliphate. 

The man, named by CBS News as Abu Ibrahim, is an Islam convert from the West who wanted to live under the most strict Muslim law. He saw IS' practices not as barbaric, but as true enforcement of Sharia. 

"It's harsh, it's real but it's the Sharia," he told CBS News of incidents such as the stoning of a couple accused of adultery. 

"It was done publicly," Ibrahim recounted. "There were many hundreds of people there who observed.

"While seeing someone die is not something anyone would probably want to see, having the actual Sharia established is what many Muslims look forward to."

He also described the role of the religious police or Hiisbah in the IS. 

"Their presence which may deter any thieves or any bad behaviour but also look out for things like music isn't being played or women are covered up appropriately or that men are growing their beards," Ibrahim explained. 

Those living under IS rules have their housing, food, and other essential items provided to them, and also receive an allowance. 

"Initially it was approximately $50 a month," Ibrahim said. "During winter it went up to $100 so people could purchase warm clothing or items for the house.

"They provided heaters for each house and for married couples they provide housing for them - furniture, the essentials."

Ibrahim became tired of living in fear of execution, however, and disagreed with the killing of humanitarian workers and journalists. 

"Some of the policies such as the beheadings of non-combatants, therefore innocent, some of those things I didn't agree with," he admitted. 

"My main reason for leaving was that I felt that I wasn't doing what I had initially come for and that's to help in a humanitarian sense the people of Syria," he continued.

"It had become something else. So, therefore, no longer justified me being away from my family."

He warned others considering joining IS to rethink their decision.

"A lot of people when they come, they have a lot of enthusiasm about what they've seen online or what they've seen on YouTube," Ibrahim said. "They see it as something a lot grander than what the reality is. It's not all military parades or it's not all victories."