Sayyid Qutb © Karen Devine 2008

Who was Sayyid Qutb? Sayyid Qutb was a contemporary interpreter of Islam. He was born in Egypt and received an Islamic and a secular education including studies in the USA. His education saw him become disenchanted with materialism and lack of spirituality and hence he joined the Muslim Brotherhood in Cairo.

The Muslim Brotherhood The Muslim Brotherhood proposed: a return to true Islam with a focus on the Qur’an opposition to western imperialism single Islamic states.

Arrest Sayyid Qutb was arrested in 1954 when the Muslim Brotherhood was accused of attempting to overthrow the Nasser Government of Egypt. He continued his writings in gaol. His writings focused on the Qur’an as a book providing guidance for life and something all Muslims should study.

“Milestones” When he was released from prison in 1965 he wrote a book called “Milestones” which proposed radical transformations in modern Islam. He was re-arrested for refusal to support the Nasser Government. He was then tried and executed.

“Milestones” advocated: Aqida - (Belief in God) that will give Muslims the strength to survive societal change. Jahiliyya - (All things alien to Islam) a Muslim world must implement Sharia law. However, a community should not use Sharia law until all citizens have submitted to Allah. Then the law merely serves the religion. Jihad - Qutb interpreted Jihad as a word meaning defending the Islamic faith even if this means using warfare.

Qutb the Revivalist Islam is an alternative to materialism, capitalism, communism and secularism. Qutb was not a fundamentalist but a revivalist, yet his ideas have been taken up by Islamic fundamentalists and used in the modern world. He has become known as an Islamic martyr.

Question Time How are Qutb’s ideas used by modern day fundamentalists?

Textual Support “Islam came to return man to his Sustainer and to make His guidance the only source from which values and standards are to be obtained as His the Provider and Originator.” Islam came to establish only one relationship which binds men together in the sight of God, and if this relationship is established then all other relationships based on blood or other considerations become eliminated.” There is only one place on earth which can be called the home of Islam (Dar-ul- Islam and that is the place where the Islamic state is established and the Shari’ah is the authority and God’s limits are observed and where all Muslims administer the affairs of the state with mutual consultation.” ARTICLE-A Muslims Nationality and His Belief

Textual Support “A Muslim has no relationship with his mother, father, brother, wife and other family members except through their relationship with the Creator.” The victory is achieved under the banner of faith; and under no other banner; the striving is purely for the sake of God, for the success of His religion and His law, for the protection of Dar-ul-Islam.