It is an act of apostasy to question Islam. The Ummah (the body of faithful Muslims) is obligated to slay any such apostate. Not only does this work to preclude any change, but it is the way in which people like Sayyid Qutb (head ideologist for the Muslim Brotherhood) were able to convince slacker Muslims that they must follow the full demands of their religion if they every hoped to attain Paradise.
Qutb wrote a short book on the subject, Milestones. See especially chapter 4, Jihad in the Cause of God:
http://majalla.org/books/2005/qutb-nilestone.pdf
Sayyid Qutb’s “Milestones†and Its Impact on the Arab Spring
by Steven G. Zenishek
Journal Article | May 9, 2013 - 2:30am
Author’s Note: Steven wishes to thank CDR Youssef Aboul-Enein, USN for his edits and for encouraging
him to publish this work.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this essay are those of the author and do not reflectthe official
policy or position of the National Defense University, the Department of Defense or the U.S.
Government.
Overview
Sayyid Qutb is considered the father of modern fundamentalism and is described by his (Arab)
biographer as “the most famous personality of the Muslim world in the second half of the 20th
century”.[1] Qutb is credited by Karen Armstrong, a scholar on religious affairs, as “the real
founder of Islamic fundamentalism in the Sunni worldâ€.[2] She states “Every Sunni fundamentalist
movement has been influenced by Qutb.â€[3] Qutb’s writings distort Islam and exhort “Muslims to
separate themselves from mainstream society and engage in violent jihad.â€[4] His writings and legacy
are admired by parts of the Muslim Brotherhood and found in Al Qaeda’s ideology in advocating violence
against every current government and society because all are in a state of “Jahiliyyah†(Apostasy).
Qutb advocated Jihad to force society to submit to God alone. His book “Milestones†has become a
manifesto for Jihadists seeking to free Muslims from Jahiliyyah and to establish “Divine Law†(al-
Shari’ah) to bring about man’s submission to God. Of note, there are various interpretations of
Shari’ah, so in essence Qutb advocates an interpretation in his image, wishing to impose this on
Muslims and non-Muslims alike.[5] This essay will review Qutb’s arguments to legitimize Jihad,
discuss the problems posed by his arguments and then examine how “Milestones†has influenced the Arab
Spring and its implications to National Security in interacting with the Muslim Brotherhood and
defeating Al Qaeda.
Qutb’s Premise
Qutb introduces Milestones with “Mankind…is on the brink of a precipice…because humanity is devoid of
those vital values necessary for healthy development†and “real progress.â€[6] He discounts western
democracy as being infertile of life giving ideas and he discounts Marxism because it conflicts man’s
nature and needs.[7] Qutb asserts Islam is the only system harmonious with human values, positive,
constructive and practicable.[8] His vision is a revived Islam returned to its original form when
Mohammad was in Mecca to exert a leadership role over mankind. In order to attract mankind, Islam
must satisfy human needs through faith and material benefits in a Muslim society.[9] Qutb asserts
only the Islamic way of life frees men from the servitude of other men and allows them to worship God
deriving guidance from him alone. To accomplish this, a vanguard of believers will march through the
Jahiliyyah world to bring about its conversion through Jihad. Qutb wrote Milestones to show the
vanguard of believers the starting point, nature, responsibilities and purpose of the journey.[10]
The Starting Point
Qutb looks to the companions of Prophet Mohammad as the first generation steeped in pure Islam through
their direct interaction with the Prophet. Qutb asserts this first generation received the pure
Quran; while later generations tainted by exposure to Greek, Persian, Jewish and Christian ideas, were
never able to rise to the same level as the first generation.[11] ....
from:
http://bit.ly/1rsevx6
PDF of Qutb’s Milestones: [133 pages]
http://majalla.org/books/2005/qutb-nilestone.pdf
Pretty huge. In contrast with my religion whose name Israel means wrestle with Gd.