Vol. 4 No. 1 (2021): Pakistan Journal of International Affairs
Articles

Political Islam as Explained by Sayyid Qutb and Maulana Mawdudi A Comparison

Published 2021-03-29

Abstract

Sayyid Qutb and Maulana Mawdudi are among the widely discussed thinkers, as their writings are a source of inspiration in Muslim Word throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. There can be no doubt that they both have had a huge influence on the ideologies of several Islamist and jihadi groups around the world. Their impact has been immeasurable and often termed as “the architect of worldwide jihad”. According to them, Muslims have forgotten their religious duties and that is the main reason for their downfall, by adopting Westernization, they are living a life of jahiliyyah. It is usually perceived that both Maududi and Qutb practiced takfir, i.e., to oust Muslims from Islam. This paper will try to explain how Syed Qutb and Maulana Mawdudi understood and interpreted Islam as a political ideology. It will also discuss the various controversies and scholarly responses such a theory incite. (Qutb, Salahi, & Shamis, 1999).