On Qutb

With the month of March coming to a close, as a class we are both closer yet at the same time further from answering the overarching question of whether Islam and modernity are compatible.  This past week was dedicated to looking at the response of conservative Islamic scholar Seyyid Qutb to modernity.  A mid 20^th century Egyptian scholar and leading member of the Muslim Brotherhood, Qutb was/is one of the foremost critiques of modernity within the framework of Islam and a key supporter and proponent of Islamism.  His most famous work Milestones is controversial for its interpretations of Jihad and its strict interpretation of the Qur’an.  While the discussion of Jihad is dominates the discussion of Qutb’s work, it is also important to reinforce the fact that it was originally written as a response to modernity. 

            An interesting thing about Milestones is one can imagine it being written throughout history.  A common response by reformers is to speak of an idyllic time period or setting.  A desire to bring the faith back to its origins is advocated by Qutb.  While it may seem counter-intuitive to discuss Qutb’s work as a common response by religious reformers, it also brings up the important point that Qutb is writing a book of resistance brought upon by a certain climate.  Qutb is a reformer working to change an aspect of society that he finds troubling.  Yet, he does praise some of the achievements of modernity and would find room in his idealized civilization for such things as technology.  Progress is not necessarily the enemy.  Instead, Qutb is reacting to what he sees as Jahiliyyah (defined in English as ignorance of divine guidance) throughout the world including not only the West but also large segments of Muslim societies. The Jahiliyyah of Qutb is extremely offensive to the point that he feels it should be attacked if necessary.  By proclaiming Jahiliyyah as existing during times other then the modern era (i.e. the vast majority of the existence of Islam), Qutb shows that while many of his ideas are actually common throughout history, he is in fact reacting to a certain time.

            So in conclusion, does Qutb believe that Islam and modernity are compatible? The answer is that a true Islamic society in the sense that Qutb interprets it as not fully compatible.  Certain aspects such as technology is allowed and even encouraged, but that is only a small segment of modernity.  However, the Jahiliyyah which Qutb is quick to criticize is also a type of Islam and modernity.  Yes, Qutb does not believe it as representing true Islam.  Ignoring complex interpretations on this statement, Qutb implicitly acknowledges a type of Islam (which he disagrees with) that is compatible with modernity.  Furthermore, even Qutb is willing to acknowledge some benefits of modernity including the technological and scientific progress that is a result.  As we have defined in class, are these not aspects that many consider modern?  While not fully modern, Qutb’s Islam would still be open to certain aspects of it.  

BDF