The thirty-volume Quranic commentary titled Fi Zilal al-Quran represents the intellectual foundation of Sayyid Qutb, an Egyptian theorist whose transition from literary critic to revolutionary leader shaped modern Islamist ideology. Executed in 1966 for his role in a plot against President Gamal Abdel Nasser, he remains a central figure in the analysis of political Islam.
Formative Years and Early Career
Born in 1906 in the village of Musha, Qutb developed a lifelong interest in education and theology, memorizing the Quran by age ten. He pursued his studies at Cairo University before serving as an official in the Egyptian Ministry of Education. Initially, he established himself as a prominent author and literary critic, publishing works such as Artistic Imagery in the Qur'an and championing contemporary literature during the 1930s and 1940s.
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A scholarship to the University of Northern Colorado between 1948 and 1950 marked a turning point in his outlook. Exposure to American culture solidified his disdain for Western materialism, which he contrasted against Islamic values. During this period, he authored Social Justice in Islam, moving further toward a political interpretation of faith. He eventually aligned himself with the Muslim Brotherhood, where he refined his views on state governance and religious law.
Political Philosophy and Legacy
His later writings, most notably Milestones, argued for the necessity of a total social transformation rooted in Islamic monotheism. Qutb advocated for the rejection of secular structures, which he deemed illegitimate. His extensive bibliography, which includes The Future of This Religion and The Characteristics and Values of Islamic Conduct, provided an ideological framework that continues to be scrutinized by researchers for its influence on global militant movements.
Fast facts
- Born: 1906, Musha
- Died: 1966, Cairo
- Education: Cairo University; University of Northern Colorado
- Primary Movement: Muslim Brotherhood
- Notable Work: Fi Zilal al-Quran
- Citizenship: Egypt; Ottoman Empire
- Occupations: Writer, poet, journalist, revolutionary
Questions readers ask
What was Qutb's profession before he became a revolutionary?
He was a teacher in the Ministry of Public Instruction and a literary critic who wrote novels and articles.
Why was Qutb executed in 1966?
He was convicted of plotting the assassination of the Egyptian President, Gamal Abdel Nasser.
Achievements
- Educated at Cairo University and University of Northern Colorado
