Qutb Quotes & Sayings

Islam cannot accept or agree to a situation which is half-Islam and half-Jahiliyya [separated from God]. — Sayyid Qutb

We therefore conclude that no philosophy and no system of life produced by human thought can have
the characteristic of "comprehensiveness." At most, it can cover a segment of human life and can be valid
for a temporary period. Because of its limited scope, it is always deficient in many respects, and because of
its temporariness it is bound to cause problems that require modifications and changes in the original
philosophy or system of life. Peoples and nations basing their social, political, and economic systems on
human philosophies are forever confronted with contradictions and "dialectics." The history of European
peoples is an example of such a process. — Sayed Qutb

It may happen that the enemies of Islam may consider it expedient not to take any action against Islam, if Islam leaves them alone in their geographical boundaries to continue the lordship of some men over others and does not extend its message and its declaration of universal freedom within their domain. But Islam cannot agree to this unless they submit to its authority by paying Jizyah, which will be a guarantee that they have opened their doors for the preaching of Islam and will not put any obstacle in its way through the power of the state. — Sayyid Qutb

All people go to Allah after their death, but the happy person is the one who goes to Allah while still alive. — Sayyid Qutb

Faith is not by wishful thinking, it is what takes root in the heart and shows in one's actions. — Sayyid Qutb

Islam is a system given by God and it aims to establish a fundamental principle of God's sovereignty and people's servitude to Him alone," Qutb wrote. "As such, Islam has the right to remove all obstacles from its way and address people freely without any impediments such as a political system or social customs and traditions . . . it is the right of Islam to take the initiative. It is not the creed of a particular people or the system of a particular country. It is a system given by God for the entire world. As such, it has the right to take action to remove all obstacles that fetter man's freedom of choice. It is a faith that does not force itself on any individual, it only attacks situations and regimes in order to free individuals from deviant influences that corrupt human nature and restrict man's freedom. — Mark Bowden

A martyr is the one who bears witness that the Shari'ah of Allah is more valuable to him than his own life. — Sayyid Qutb

Jazz is the favorite music [of America]. It is a type of music invented by [American] Blacks to please their primitive tendencies and desire for noise. — Sayyid Qutb

Indeed our words will remain lifeless, barren, devoid of any passion, until we die as a result of these words, whereupon our words will suddenly spring to life and live amongst the hearts that are dead, bringing them to life as well. — Sayyid Qutb

Verily, the index finger that testifies to the oneness of Allah Azzawajal in prayer, utterly rejects to write even an alphabet, endorsing the rule of the tyrant — Sayyid Qutb

Absolute justice demands that mens incomes and rewards should ... vary, and that some have more than others-so long as human justice is upheld by the provision of equal opportunity for all. — Sayyid Qutb

At Varanasi, according to Ferishta, Muhammad of Ghor and Qutb-ud-din Aybak demolished the idols in a thousand temples and then rededicated these shrines 'to the worship of the true God'. — John Keay