Sayyid Qutb: Analysis of Jihadist Philosophy

The purpose of this research is to provide a comprehensive analysis of a salient jihadist philosopher by the name of Sayyid Qutb. Qutb is arguably among the most influential ideologues of modern-day Islamic militancy; yet, there is very little research examining his works. Through in-depth analysis of the historical, social, and political contexts surrounding Qutb and Islamic militancy, this research will: (1) examine selected works of Qutb to determine the frequency of his use of militant language and how his usage of militant language relates to his overall ideology; (2) place Qutb¿s writings into historical, social, and political contexts while at the same time examining if, and how, they are influencing militants today; and, (3) identify the importance of understanding the beliefs conveyed by Qutb for the purpose of informing counterterrorism policy.