Religious fundamentalism derives many of the issues that its followers have from a literal interpretation of the core texts of their religion or belief. As a result, these ideologues can be perceived to have an extreme perspective on how to solve the everyday problems that the text aids them with. Specifically, Sayyid Qutb, the Egyptian writer and teacher who was also the strategist for the Muslim Brotherhood, can be considered a fundamentalist based on what he is described to have stood for according to the book The Middle East and Islamic World Reader. This notion is corroborated by his understanding of Islam and his vision of its purpose in the world at the time, and the historical context that fueled Qutb’s positions. In essence, Qutb…show more content… In effect, Qutb believes that the Islamic world must detach itself from the West, with its supposedly corrupt democracies, and the East, for it has succumbed to the influence of the West to some degree. As a result, Qutb argues that, without Islam, there will be a return to barbaric, uncivilized practice, wherein all people display obedience via ignorance; this concept is defined as Jahiliyya, a term that is seen as ancient within the Islamic community. Furthermore, the connotations of Jahiliyya depict the result of outside influence and not staying loyal to the Islamic faith as the return to the dark ages; specifically, Qutb describes them as being full of “grief, sorrow and uneasiness”. The sentiments of Qutb regarding the West could have been established after the first World War, wherein secret deals such as the Sykes-Picot Agreement of 1916 and the Balfour Declaration, went against the pre-established agreements that the British had made with Middle Eastern nations. In light of these events, Qutb’s inward, almost protectionist, worldview - looking only at remedying the internal affairs of the Muslim World and the religion as a whole - can be explained by the actions of the hegemonic powers in Europe. Consequently, the Qutb and the Muslim Brotherhood were able to stake a credible claim against outside influence within the Islamic
