Sayyid Qutb
- Born:
- October 9, 1906, Musha, Asyut Governorate, Egypt
- Died:
- August 29, 1966, Cairo, Egypt
- Nationality:
- Egyptian
- Profession(s):
- Author, Literary Critic, Islamist Philosopher, Political Theorist
Early Life and Education
- Memorized the Quran by age 10.
- Received a traditional Islamic education.
- Studied at Dar al-Ulum College in Cairo, graduating in 1933.
- Worked as a teacher and civil servant in the Egyptian Ministry of Education.
Career and Major Achievements
- Early career focused on literary criticism and promotion of Egyptian literature.
- Traveled to the United States from 1948 to 1951 to study education.
- Shifted towards Islamist thought and political activism after his return to Egypt.
- Joined the Muslim Brotherhood in the early 1950s and became a leading figure.
- Arrested and imprisoned in 1954, along with other members of the Muslim Brotherhood.
- Executed in 1966 for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government.
Notable Works
- Social Justice in Islam (1949)
- In the Shade of the Quran (Fi Zilal al-Quran) - his multi-volume Quranic commentary
- Milestones (Ma'alim fi al-Tariq) - his most influential work outlining his vision of an Islamic society
Legacy and Impact
Sayyid Qutb's writings have profoundly influenced Islamist movements worldwide. His concepts of jahiliyya (ignorance of divine guidance) and the need for an Islamic vanguard to establish a truly Islamic society remain central to many contemporary Islamist ideologies. A discussion of the enduring significance of the `as syahid sayyid qutb biography` reveals his complex and controversial legacy.