Product Description

"Social Justice in Islam" is perhaps the best known work of Sayyib Qutb, a leading figure in the Muslim Brethen of Egypt who was executed by the regime of 'Abd al-Nasr in 1966. Despite the years that have passed since Sayyid Qutb's death, the imprint of his thought on the contemporary Islamic movements of the Arab world remains profound. The Arabic original of "Social Justice in Islam" was first published in 1949, but this book in particular retains its relevance in many respects: the persistence of gross socio-economic inequality in most Muslim societies; the need for viewing Islam as a totality, imperatively demanding comprehensive implementation; and the depiction of the West as a neo-Crusading force.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #276049 in Books
• Published on: 2000-01-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781889999111
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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About the Author
John B. Hardie's English translation, first published in 1953 and reprinted several times without modification, has been thoroughly revised and corrected for the present edition by Hamid Algar, Professor of Islamic Studies at the University of California, Berkeley, who has also contributed an introduction analyzing the work and the life of its author.

Customer Reviews

property and justice
Social Justice and Islam confounds many prevalent prejudices about both Sayyid Qutb and Islam. The book, written after Qutb's sojourn in the United States, contains a sharp critique of sexual harassment and the commodification of women. The book explores the political implications of the Muslim practice of zakat. Zakat is ordinarily viewed as a form of charity, a type of alms for the poor. Qutb argues that zakat, properly understood, provides a means for rectifying the imbalances and momentary instabilities of the market while preserving private property and commerce; enables the protection and just distribution of common goods, and provides both principles and practices that secure social welfare without breeding dependency or diminishing human dignity. The most illuminating aspect of the book is the recognition of the importance of human dignity to economic justice and political order. Qutb is of interest not only to Muslims but to anyone interested in political economy.

Extreme Intolerance & Poor Scholarship
Qutb's book is a study in cultural chauvinism, filled with denigration of foreign cultures and religions. In a clash between tradition and modern, Qutb seeks refuge in reactionary rejection of the present and fantasies of some Golden Age that probably never was. He retreats to radical interpretations of the Quran, which he claims are the "original" ones, but which contradict the Quran itself. The Quran calls Jews and Christians, "People of the book". Qutb calls the 'jahili', barbarians. The Quran has five pillars: daily statement, daily prayer, Hajj, Ramadan, charity. Qutb replaces these with his favoirte, "jihad". Mohammed himself calls battle jihad "the small jihad", and prefers the "big jihad" of overcoming ones self. Qutb ignores this totally. So essentially, Qutb replaces the Quran with his own distorted reading of it, based on culture shock and bigotry, and has the audacity to call his own extremists views the "true" Islam.