Part A) Explain Sayyid Qutb’s contribution to the development and expression of Islam (750 words)
Sayyid Qutb, often accredited as being the ‘father of modern fundamentalism’, was the leader of the Muslim Brotherhood during the 1950’s to 1960’s. He managed to contribute to the development of Islam mostly through his writings, specifically in Ma'alim fi al-Tariq (Milestones) and Fi Zilal al-Quran (In the Shade of the Qur'an), as well as through his ideologies.
Through his writings, Qutb succeeded greatly in being an instrumental part of Islam’s development and expression. His book Ma'alim fi al-Tariq, translated to English as Milestones, is a call to reinstate the modern world to directly suit the grounds laid out in the Quran. With controversial…show more content… Whilst always being a devout Muslim and having strong feelings towards Islam, all of Qutb’s beliefs were secured upon his visit to America. His experiences there inspired his writings and confirmed his desires to to revive Islam in Egypt. He based his beliefs on being a direct reflection of Allah’s teachings, using the words of the Quran to justify his principles and preach his opinions. He constantly reaffirmed the fact that Shari’a law should be more prominent, arguing that "All sovereignty belongs to God alone… there is no law other than God’s law; all authority belongs to God” (Milestones). His belief that materialism and Westernism had claimed Egypt and were suppressing the Islamic faith, thus reinforcing jahiliyyah, were enough to make him speak passionately and aggressively about reviving Islam. He strengthens his beliefs through the comparison between his modern society and the modern Islamic countries during Mohammed’s time, both he and Mohammed casting away jahiliyyah and repudiating secular governments to ensure Islam triumphs over the ‘corrupted’ world. Through his ideologies, Qutb influenced many people to seek out their own revivalist movements, to help in the undertaking of an improved Islam and ensure a global elimination of jahiliyyah as well as jihad. Hence, many movements began to appear in all cornerstones of the world i.e the American Black Muslim Movement during the 1960’s to the 1970’s. It is said that Qutb “saw Islam not simply as a body of faith and practice, but as a universal ideology”, and this is evident through his teachings and the dogmas that he believed. It is through these fervent beliefs that Qutb has managed to contribute greatly to the development and expression of