Milestones [Paperback]

Sayed Qutb (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 31, 2006

The author speaks about the unique Quranic generation, the nature of the Quranic method, the characteristics of Islamic society, jihad in the cause of God, and a Muslim s nationality and his belief among other things.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Islamic Book Service (July 31, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 817231244X
• ISBN-13: 978-8172312442
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #295,596 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

114 of 132 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars One of the bases of today's fundamentalist Islam, June 13, 2006

By 

C. J. Hardman (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Milestones (Paperback)

This treatis on political Islam is helpful in understanding the mindset of violent Muslim Jihadists in today's world. You may disagree with the logic--or after close study lack thereof, in this book. I wish this volume included a better introduction of who the historical Sayyid Qutb was, it helps put this volume and what it was/is trying to accomplish in its proper context.

Qutb (1906-1966) was an Egyptian novelist and literature teacher who received a western-style education and even earning his Master's Degree in Education in the United States, where he lived from 1948-1950. At least partially due to Qutb's experience living in the United States, he developed an anti-western anti-modernization attitude. While in The United States, Qutb was horrified to witness such lewd events as Church sock-hops, where a female could look a male in the eye and talk to him without fear of having a male relative automatically assume the worst and cut her throat. He wrote:

"They danced to the tunes of the gramophone, and the dance floor was replete with tapping feet, enticing legs, arms wrapped around waists, lips pressed to lips, and chests pressed to chests. The atmosphere was full of desire..."

Whether this is what he actually saw at a church event in late 40's America (sounds more like Woodstock), whether it means Americans were dirty and immoral, or Qutb's own mind simply had a particularely laschivious bent which he deigned to blame other innocent people for, the reader must decide. The fact is that this "immorality" and events similar to it he witnessed in the West, coupled with injustices he saw and experienced in Egypt before and after his sojurn in the U.S. led Qutb to become heavily involved with the conservative Muslim Brotherhood upon his return to Egypt.

After the attempted assasination of Egyptian President Nasser in 1954 by Muslim Brotherhood operatives, a number of Muslim Brotherhood leaders, including Sayyid Qutb, were imprisoned. While in prison Qutb wrote a 30-volume series on his interpretation of the Quran, "In The Shade of the Quran", as well as this book, "Milestones". Milestones is at its core a treatis on Political Islam. If you're wondering how it became vital to many Jihadi factions in the modern age, After Qutb was hanged for subversion in 1966, his brother Muhammed Qutb went to Saudi Arabia, where he taught Islamic Studies. Among his students was Ayman Zawahiri, teacher of Osama Bin Laden.

I found this volume to be full of well-meaning idealism. Qutb desperately wants a just, fair society, for Islam to be THE ultimate and perfect solution to all human problems. With some limitations (namely on women and non-Muslims). He claims to be combating "Jahiliyya", or human ignorance of true religion. Included among the Jahiliyya societies are Communist and Western societies as well as modernized Muslim societies. Qutb it seems wished to turn back the clock and reconstruct an idealized Islamic society gleaned from his interpretation of Quran readings.

Qutb's rationalizations are often circular in nature and hard to follow. It is often a case of 'the Quran says it, it is true!'. Quotes from the Quran compete with a few mentions of long-outdated Western scandals people must seriously research to understand (how irrelevent they were in their time, even moreso today). Little thought is given to obvious contradictions any thinking person would have. For instance while quoting Islam's Prophet Muhammed as having castigated Christians and Jews as idolators who had lost their way:

"Whatever their priests and rabbis call permissible, they accept as permissible; whatever they declare as forbidden , they consider forbidden, and thus they worship them" (page 60)

Somehow, Qutb can quote this absurdity while attempting to justify those who stupidly follow Islamic Mullahs and Imams, blindly obeying their edicts and fatwahs with no critical thought whatsoever! Few are more obedient than fundamentalist Salafi & Wahabbist Muslims--yet Qutb himself didn't draw the same logical conclusion. Namely that fundamentalist Muslims _worship_ and _idolize_ their religious Mullahs and Ayatollahs--not to mention Prophet Muhammed! The whole book is quite NEUROTIC and hypocritical in this way, swaying from one standard for those Qutb opposes, to another for the "REAL" Muslims, whoever they are (Qutb & NOT Allah decides)...On page 61 Qutub says:

"It is not the intention of Islam to force its beliefs on people, but Islam is not merely 'belief'. As we have pointed out, Islam is a delaration of freedom of man from servitude to other men".

Reading Qutb's "Milestones" makes it very clear thoughout that this brand of Islam is _all about_ making men submit to _other men_ (Specific Hardcore Fundamentalist Salafi or Wahabbi Muslims) who are justifying themselves by seeing who can say God's name the most, Martyr the most poor & desparate members of their society, and kill the most of the creator's creations who are unlike them in belief. They are men who, unlike the rest of us peons, think they have the "One Truth". Or so they tell the rest of us. Qutb also justifies the use of violence and conquest in his chapter on "Jihad in the Cause of God", speaking of Jihad as "...the movement for freeing mankind and demolishing the obstacles which prevent mankind from attaining this freedom" (65).

Like many leaders in the Islamic world today Qutb constantly mixes the terms "submission" and "freedom". This is the most RIDICULOUS contradiction found throughout!!! Qutb sums up his school of thought with a quote from Sura 3:78 of the Quran on page 117: "In the world there is only one party of God: all others are parties of Satan and rebellion. Those who believe fight in the cause of God, and those who disbelieve fight in the cause of rebellion. Then fight the allies of Satan...".

According to Qutb, we are "free" to _submit_...or face the consequences! This is the "freedom" of Islamic extremism. What do YOU choose?

33 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The Political Thought of an Extremist - A Useful Primer, December 16, 2004

By 

Novice - See all my reviews

This review is from: Milestones (Paperback)

"Milestones" is a valuable primary source for the study of Islamic fundamentalism in the 20th century. Qutb's arguments present the flaws and vigor of extremist thinking: his ideal society is poorly delineated, and his desire for "freedom" clashes sharply with his desire to violently silence those who disagree with him. Furthermore, Qutb's notions of the inherent corruption and bankruptcy of man never manage to escape the reality that even in a "divinely ordained" society, the agents and authorities of its execution wil always be human beings.

50 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars an American take on this controversial book, August 18, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Milestones (Paperback)

Milestones has received more attention in the wake of 9.11, as many point to Qutb's works and ideas as the birth of modern Islamist terrorism.

I read this book a year ago, but the general theme is still with me. And with this in mind, I admit confusion. The tone is not nearly as violent as it has been portrayed in some quarters. I'd say Milestones is more revolutionary in thought, rather than violence. For Qutb, Islam is a beautiful thing that has been hijacked from within, and misunderstood from the outside. And in some ways, I can't help but think he's right.

While one can perceive his ideas a certain way that will lead to violent actions, there is still positivity to be taken from this tome. As you read it, you almost get caught up in the idea of a nationless world, where competition and hierarchy gives way to true brotherhood. Unfortunately, that brotherhood for Qutb comes from Islam. The underlying force of most religions seems to be to conquer the world, and this is a problem.

Yet, Qutb strikes me as one who had more love than hate in his heart. Milestones captures this. While I may disagree with his take on his religion, or Islam in general, I can understand his feeling that Islam has become something of a tool to be used against mankind. And while the tone can be abrasive at times, I don't think this is a manifesto for terrorists, as Qutb is as concerned with spreading knowledge as he is with picking up a sword.

In today's world, Milestones is an important document to understanding the essence of Islam. True devotees of this religion live in a world that us Westerners can't fully relate to. And I don't mean geographically so much as I mean culturally. We are so used to heirarchy and competition. We are used to bosses and leaders and kings and queens and bishops and popes and generals that is almost impossible to imagine a world where we are all indeed truly equal before the eyes of a god in the sky. Even for those who are not "religious," much can be gleamed from those whose path has included faith in religion. While Qutb's vision is ultimately unrealistic and perhaps a bit dangerous, it is nonetheless fascinating and potentially inspiring in a way that you wouldn't think of.