Social Justice in Islam

The tone of Social Justice in Islam is a stark contrast to Qutb's writings in A Child From the Village. Almost immediately, Qutb's tone is harsh and reflects a seriousness that was not present in his earlier book. There is a clear departure from his earlier laid-back style of writing. It would be interesting to read Qutb's texts inbetween these two works to see how this style changed and developed with his views on Egypt and Islam.

The work begins with a sharp criticism of both Egypt and the surrounding world. In Qutb's discussion of imports, he forcefully describes how the nation does not look within in order to build itself up, but relies on outside sources from the West. Qutb suggests that the nation will also begin looking for ways of importing faith and spirituality according to western traditions, which clearly goes against his view on the importance of cultural heritage and strength that can be found within Islam and Egypt.

Qutb compares Christianity and Islam, and argues about why Islam has cultural superiority. While he obviously has respect for Jesus as speaker with a positive message, Qutb calls attention to what he views as negative aspects of Christianity, such as its disunity with culture, particularly in Europe. Although I never thought about the problems Christianity creates in comparison to Islam in its hierarchal nature, I found this critique on Christianity to be particularly interesting. Unlike the division caused by the fight of Christian power through a separation of church and state, Islam is the center of culture in Muslim countries. Religion is life and life is religion. No distinction needs to be made between society and religious rituals. This call to look at culture is used by Qutb to show that no importation of spirituality is necessary, as it is in his mind, already a built in facet of the culture. The lack of superior religious leaders, Qutb argues, creates the opportunity for all men to be equal in their relationship with Allah. Again, this is an interesting contrast to Christianity which creates a hierarchy of spiritual leaders.