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The Sayyid Qutb Reader
Anyone who wants to understand what militant Muslims think has to understand what they read―and they read Sayyid Qutb, the intellectual father of Islamic fundamentalism. Qutb, an Egyptian literary critic and philosopher who was appalled by American decadence, gained prominence in the Muslim Brotherhood, was imprisoned by Nasser, and hanged in 1966. Through his death and prolific writings he became a martyr for the cause of political Islam. His work is virtually unknown outside the Muslim world, but Qutb is at the heart of the intellectual rationale for jihad and violence in the name of Islam. The Sayyid Qutb Reader is the first collection of his selected works available to the general public. As such, this valuable introduction to Qutb’s core intellectual ideas should be read by anyone who wants to understand one of the most important conflicts of our age.
186 pages, Paperback
First published June 30, 2007
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About the author
Albert J. Bergesen
11 books3 followersAlbert James Bergesen is an American sociologist and Professor and Head of the Department of Sociology at University of Arizona.
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August 20, 2018
Radicalized Islam: Contemporary Origins
The Introduction outlines Qutb's position in society, as child of a connected middle class family, though a bit of a recluse, with a bachelors in education and a Masters from the University of Colorado and a interest in modern secular literature and poetry. The connection to the United States might surprise some, but it serves as a basis for Qutb's revulsion towards the West. Links between the Muslim Brotherhood and the Egyptian Free Officers revolution that put Nasser into power are explored and Bergson speculates on contacts between the Brotherhood and Sadat. Qutb's imprisonment in Egypt, which Bergson likens Q to other prison experiences such as those of Lenin (What Is to Be Done?) and Nelson Mandela, and raises him to equal stature among the faithful. He's tortured, but is still able to write a 30 volume commentary on the Qur'an, which indicates great leeway on the part of his jailers. Nasser has Qutb executed in 1966.
Chapter 2 gives us an outline of what we can expect to find in the selections of Qutb's writing that we we find in the rest of the book. Bergson observes that Qutb's outlook mirrors Marxism, with religion substituting for economics. Overall the assessment of Qutb is entirely accurate, including Bergson's note that he is highly repetitive, but to appreciate the seductive nature of Qutb's rhetoric I found it useful to read the rest of the book.
The readings include selections from Qutb's book Milestones, 3 chapters of exegesis on Suras 8-9 in the Qur'an, a one note essay on political differences between Islam and Christianity and a short story/allegory where a mother relates to her son that his profligate father has sold off the family land.
Qutb's binary POV divides the world into those who know God and those in a state of jahalliyah or ignorance, a term usually used in Egypt to refer to the age of the Pharaohs. Since there is only one God there can be only one universal religion - Islam. Unfortunately the next steps in his program are very troublesome. Qutb sees jahalliyah everywhere, including every existing Muslim state. His problem is that Man needs to be directly subservient to God's sharia law without substitute. What stands in the way are a variety of institutions - courts, governments, corporations (of any kind), man made laws and constitutions; these need to be utterly destroyed as one cannot be a "servant to servants", only God. Once short of a supporting community, individuals become "truly free" and able to choose to accept dawa, an invitation to become part of the community of Islam. This hospitality is seen as an opportunity to relieve the non-believer of jahalliyah. Should they still persist in their unbelief, then as long as they say prayers and pay zakat they are will be allowed to remain.
The question is - where? On page 60, taken from the essay "On Anfal (The Spoils of War)" , Qutb writes: "Islam wants space - not a piece of the earth but the whole planet."
One has to affirm that Qutb has some legitimate grievances such as the massacres of Muslims by Hindus in the Partition of India (Hindus could say the same), the anti-religious genocides carried out by by China, Russia and Yugoslavia (see pp106) or more generalized complaints about exploitive Western capitalism (p58). One can image impressionable readers thumbing through the pages over and again nodding in agreement that this is a revelation of absolute truth.
To Qutb Islam is in an eternal struggle with the other in order to bring about the sovereignty of God over man. The West is corrupt having made the fundamental mistake of separating reason from religion. So too are the Christian churches for their "rendering unto Caesar" as contradicting the rule of God, as does the triune nature of Father, Son and Holy Ghost which splits God's unity and give Him human attributes. Nor is Marxism exempt with its focus on economic motivations, class struggle and the state - all must be brushed aside as they either ignore or create intermediaries between Man and God.
An informative read. A similar effort with footnotes explaining some of the references would be the one improvement and the index at the back consists solely of names needs to be expanded to include to be more useful. Keep in mind that Qutb's doctrines are not universally accepted in the Ummah and though politically popular at the moment, do not describe all visions nor implementations of Islam. And herein likes a trap for those who's extreme views believe Islam cannot be redeemed. An excellent resource for understanding a major fundamentalist mindset in the ME, and where politically things could end up where organizations such as the Muslim Brotherhood and its offshoots are in control. Recommended both for amateur and professional pundits who believe that everyone thinks alike, and those who know better but need to articulate it.
Inshallah from understanding will come caution and wisdom.
The Introduction outlines Qutb's position in society, as child of a connected middle class family, though a bit of a recluse, with a bachelors in education and a Masters from the University of Colorado and a interest in modern secular literature and poetry. The connection to the United States might surprise some, but it serves as a basis for Qutb's revulsion towards the West. Links between the Muslim Brotherhood and the Egyptian Free Officers revolution that put Nasser into power are explored and Bergson speculates on contacts between the Brotherhood and Sadat. Qutb's imprisonment in Egypt, which Bergson likens Q to other prison experiences such as those of Lenin (What Is to Be Done?) and Nelson Mandela, and raises him to equal stature among the faithful. He's tortured, but is still able to write a 30 volume commentary on the Qur'an, which indicates great leeway on the part of his jailers. Nasser has Qutb executed in 1966.
Chapter 2 gives us an outline of what we can expect to find in the selections of Qutb's writing that we we find in the rest of the book. Bergson observes that Qutb's outlook mirrors Marxism, with religion substituting for economics. Overall the assessment of Qutb is entirely accurate, including Bergson's note that he is highly repetitive, but to appreciate the seductive nature of Qutb's rhetoric I found it useful to read the rest of the book.
The readings include selections from Qutb's book Milestones, 3 chapters of exegesis on Suras 8-9 in the Qur'an, a one note essay on political differences between Islam and Christianity and a short story/allegory where a mother relates to her son that his profligate father has sold off the family land.
Qutb's binary POV divides the world into those who know God and those in a state of jahalliyah or ignorance, a term usually used in Egypt to refer to the age of the Pharaohs. Since there is only one God there can be only one universal religion - Islam. Unfortunately the next steps in his program are very troublesome. Qutb sees jahalliyah everywhere, including every existing Muslim state. His problem is that Man needs to be directly subservient to God's sharia law without substitute. What stands in the way are a variety of institutions - courts, governments, corporations (of any kind), man made laws and constitutions; these need to be utterly destroyed as one cannot be a "servant to servants", only God. Once short of a supporting community, individuals become "truly free" and able to choose to accept dawa, an invitation to become part of the community of Islam. This hospitality is seen as an opportunity to relieve the non-believer of jahalliyah. Should they still persist in their unbelief, then as long as they say prayers and pay zakat they are will be allowed to remain.
The question is - where? On page 60, taken from the essay "On Anfal (The Spoils of War)" , Qutb writes: "Islam wants space - not a piece of the earth but the whole planet."
One has to affirm that Qutb has some legitimate grievances such as the massacres of Muslims by Hindus in the Partition of India (Hindus could say the same), the anti-religious genocides carried out by by China, Russia and Yugoslavia (see pp106) or more generalized complaints about exploitive Western capitalism (p58). One can image impressionable readers thumbing through the pages over and again nodding in agreement that this is a revelation of absolute truth.
To Qutb Islam is in an eternal struggle with the other in order to bring about the sovereignty of God over man. The West is corrupt having made the fundamental mistake of separating reason from religion. So too are the Christian churches for their "rendering unto Caesar" as contradicting the rule of God, as does the triune nature of Father, Son and Holy Ghost which splits God's unity and give Him human attributes. Nor is Marxism exempt with its focus on economic motivations, class struggle and the state - all must be brushed aside as they either ignore or create intermediaries between Man and God.
An informative read. A similar effort with footnotes explaining some of the references would be the one improvement and the index at the back consists solely of names needs to be expanded to include to be more useful. Keep in mind that Qutb's doctrines are not universally accepted in the Ummah and though politically popular at the moment, do not describe all visions nor implementations of Islam. And herein likes a trap for those who's extreme views believe Islam cannot be redeemed. An excellent resource for understanding a major fundamentalist mindset in the ME, and where politically things could end up where organizations such as the Muslim Brotherhood and its offshoots are in control. Recommended both for amateur and professional pundits who believe that everyone thinks alike, and those who know better but need to articulate it.
Inshallah from understanding will come caution and wisdom.
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February 2, 2009i'm finding it difficult to rate this book. i re-read much of roxanne euben's book 'enemy in the mirror' alongside, which is a good companion for those attempting to understand what it means to be a situated interpreter of qutb's work.
May 14, 2014
I really liked reading this book. I think it makes things a bit clearer around Qutbism and leaves some space for analysis as well. Easy to read and enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews