The evolution of modern Islamic fundamentalism is often traced through a lineage of thinkers and organizations that transitioned from social reform to political revolution and eventually to globalized militancy. At the heart of this progression is the Muslim Brotherhood, the intellectual framework of Sayyid Qutb, and the digital age radicalization strategies of Anwar al-Awlaki. Together, these entities and individuals have shaped the religious and political landscape of the Muslim world and the West.
The Muslim Brotherhood: The Progenitor of Political Islam
Founded in Egypt in 1928 by Hassan al-Banna, the Muslim Brotherhood began as a pan-Islamic religious and social movement. Its primary goal was to reclaim Islamic identity from Western colonial influence and establish a society governed by Sharia law. Al-Banna’s approach was initially focused on grassroots education and social welfare.
However, the Brotherhood’s relationship with the Egyptian state became increasingly volatile. By the 1940s, the organization developed a paramilitary wing which engaged in political violence. While the mainstream Brotherhood often maintains a stance of non-violence in its official political discourse, it remains the mother organization from which more radical factions have splintered. Its core slogan, "Islam is the solution," provided a simplified political framework that resonated across the Middle East.
"It is the nature of Islam to dominate, not to be dominated, to impose its law on all nations and to extend its power to the entire planet." — Hassan al-Banna
Sayyid Qutb: The Ideologue of the Vanguard
If al-Banna provided the organization, Sayyid Qutb provided the revolutionary fire. A leading member of the Brotherhood in the 1950s and 1960s, Qutb’s experiences studying in the United States and his subsequent imprisonment in Egypt led him to adopt a far more radical worldview.
Qutb introduced two transformative concepts to modern fundamentalism:
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Jahiliyya: Traditionally used to describe the age of ignorance before the Prophet Muhammad, Qutb applied this term to all modern societies—including Muslim ones—that did not live under strict Sharia. He argued they were in a state of rebellion against God’s sovereignty.
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Hakimiyya: The idea that absolute sovereignty belongs only to God. This rejected secular law, democracy, and nationalism as forms of idolatry.
Qutb’s seminal work, Milestones, called for an Islamic vanguard to initiate a revolution to overthrow existing governments through physical jihad. His execution by the Egyptian regime in 1966 cemented his status as a martyr, and his writings became the foundational texts for groups like al-Qaeda.
"The Muslim community has long ago vanished from existence... It was crushed under that weight of the false laws and teachings which are not from Allah." — Sayyid Qutb
Anwar al-Awlaki: The Digital Recruiter
While Qutb provided the intellectual theory, Anwar al-Awlaki adapted these ideas for the 21st century. An American-born cleric, al-Awlaki was initially viewed as a bridge between the West and the Muslim world. However, after the 9/11 attacks and his move to Yemen, his rhetoric shifted toward overt support for global jihad.
Al-Awlaki’s impact was unique due to his mastery of the English language and the internet. He acted as a translator of Qutbist ideology for a Western audience, utilizing video platforms and magazines to encourage decentralized, lone wolf attacks. He bridged the gap between the structured political activism of the Brotherhood and the violent, transnational militancy of al-Qaeda.
"To the Muslims in America, I have this to say: How can your conscience allow you to live in peaceful coexistence with a nation that is responsible for the tyranny and crimes committed against your own brothers and sisters?" — Anwar al-Awlaki
Impact on Muslims and the Rise of Fundamentalism
The combined influence of these three forces has created a multifaceted impact on Muslim communities globally:
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Politicization of Faith: The Brotherhood’s success in framing Islam as a comprehensive political system shifted the focus for many from personal spirituality to political activism.
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The Takfir Doctrine: Qutb’s reinterpretation of takfir (excommunication) allowed radicals to declare other Muslims as apostates if they did not adhere to their specific political-religious vision.
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Globalized Radicalization: Al-Awlaki’s digital legacy continues to influence radicalization today. His ability to frame Western foreign policy as a war on Islam remains a primary recruitment tool.
While the majority of Muslims globally reject the violent interpretations of these figures, the intellectual architecture built by Qutb and the Brotherhood remains a central point of contention in the ongoing struggle over the role of Islam in the modern state.
Sources
◦ Counter Extremism Project. (2024). Sayyid Qutb: Profile and Ideology.
◦ Meleagrou-Hitchens, A. (2020). Incitement: Anwar al-Awlaki’s Western Jihad. Harvard University Press.
◦ Mitchell, R. P. (1993). The Society of the Muslim Brothers. Oxford University Press.
◦ Wright, L. (2006). The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11. Knopf.
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