Religion

* Explain the contribution to the development and expression of Islam of Sayyid Qutb * While in the US, on his scholarship Qutb became dissatisfied with what he had observed * Began writing books and articles criticising the American way of living, criticising the Arab world for trying to become westernised * Criticised issues with an Islamic perspective, articulated the need for an Islamic state, free from jahiliyya (ignorance) * Tried establishing a shariah law in his society * Qutb lived in a period of political change, nationalism was taking over the Arab world * Arab countries were challenging rule and influence of western nations struggling for independence. * Communism, nationalism, capitalism and materialism are contradictory to the Islamic way of life and Qutb criticised the Arab world for adapting to jahiliyya ways of life. * A martyr of Islamic revivalism * Memorised the Qur’an by the age of ten , received an modern, secular education * Arabic language teacher and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1939. * Early writings promoted the idea of tawhid – singularity of god and of nature. Teaching that the universe is ‘all one thing’. * Each person is part of one thing, so everyone should be able to live in harmony with one another and with the environment. * Earlier writings were more secular and less revolutionary in nature than his later writings. * In the USA he was offended by the excessive sexual freedom and racism and was a victim himself. * Materialism in the context of spiritual ignorance (jahiliyya) as he observed in the west provided no future for the human race, and that a return to spiritual values was necessary. * Unity in god, and hatred in polytheism or worshipping more than one god. * As a result of publishing milestones he was re-arrested and sentenced to death although despite a number of national and international objections, he was hanged in 1966.
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