A Cross Examination of Sayyid Qutb and Muhammad Ibn Abd Al-Wahhab

• Author / Creator

  Hosein, Jeremy O

• This thesis is a cross examination of the life and writings of Sayyid Qutb and Muhammad Ibn Abd al-Wahhab. The main thesis argues that both Qutb and Ibn Abd al-Wahhab largely interpreted Islamic doctrines in light of their own relevant political issues. Through the process of legitimating their political struggles through Islamic texts they distorted the image of Islam to suit their own purposes. The paper tries to assert the relationship between the religious interpretation of these two Islamic scholars and compare them based on the critical analysis of relevant scholarship. The conclusion of this thesis, in accordance with this view, is that Islam does not advocate compulsion in religion and that militant religious extremists like Qutb and Ibn Abd al-Wahhab have used the teachings of Islam to further their own political agendas, rather than apply a profoundly insightful interpretation of the sacred texts. The final goal of this thesis is to advocate an increased awareness and renewed dialogue between the spiritual aspects of Islam versus the political or legal aspects of Islam.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Muhammad Ibn Abd Al-Wahhab
  • Islam
  • Sayyid Qutb

• Graduation date

  Spring 2012

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Arts

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R39P5F

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.