Wikipedia's first sentence called it “egyptian author”. Today it says “egyptian political theorist and revolutionary who was a leading member of the muslim brotherhood”. The one-line description Wikipedia serves to search engines and AI systems read “Egyptian author and Islamic theorist (1906–1966)”. It now reads “Egyptian political theorist and revolutionary (1906–1966)”.
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The opening as it read in 2005
Sayyid Qutb ( 9 October 1906 in Musha – executed on 29 August 1966 ) was an important theoretician of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood . Alternative spellings of his "first" and "last" names include Syed , Koteb (rather common), Qutub , etc. Arabic: سيد قطب He first received a religious education; in 1920, he moved to Cairo, where he received a Western education between 1929 and 1933, before starting his career as a teacher in the Ministry of Public Instruction. During his early career, Qutb devoted himself to literature as an author and critic, writing such novels as Ashwak ( Thorns ) and even elevating Egyptian novelist Naguib Mahfouz from obscurity. In 1939, he became a functionary in Egypt's Ministry of Education ( wizarat al-ma'arif ); from 1948 to 1950 , he went to the United States on a scholarship to study the educational system, receiving a master's degree from the Colorado State College of Education (now the University of Northern Colorado ). Qutb's first major theoretical work of religious social criticism, Al-'adala al-Ijtima'iyya fi-l-Islam ( Social Justice in Islam ), was published in 1949, during his time overseas. The perceived racism, materialism, and 'loose' sexual conduct that he saw in the United States is believed by some to have been the impetus for his rejection of Western values and his move towards radicalism upon returning to Egypt. Resigning from the civil service he became perhaps the most persuasive publicist of the Muslim Brotherhood . The school of thought he inspired has become known as Qutbism . The Muslim Brotherhood , and Qutb in particular, enjoyed a close relationship with the Free Officers Movement in the time leading up to and following the coup of June 1952. But their early cooperation soon soured over such issues as the Free Officers' refusal to hold elections, to ban alcohol, or to take a hard line against the British presence in Egypt. After the attempted assassination of Gamal Abdel Nasser in 1954, the Egyptian government cracked down on the Muslim Brotherhood, imprisoning Qutb along with many others. While in prison, Qutb wrote his two most important works: a commentary of the Qur'an Fi zilal al-Qur'an ( In the Shade of the Quran ), and a manifesto of political Islam called Ma'alim fi-l-Tariq ( Milestones ). His commentary on the Qur'an has been extremely influential; some see him as the central theorist of twentieth-century Islamism . There is anecdotal evidence that Sayyid Qutb and Shaykh Taqi-ud-deen an-Nabhani founder of Hizb-ut-Tahrir , influenced each other. According to Daniel Benjamin and Steven Simon , "In a century in which some of the most important writing came out of prisons, Qutb, for better or for worse, is the Islamic world's answer to Solzhenitsyn , Sartre , and Havel , and he easily ranks with all of them in influence.1 It was Sayyid Qutb who fused together the core elements of modern Islamism.... Qutb concluded that the unity of God and His sovereignty meant that human rule – government legislates its own behavior – is illegitimate. This point is central to most modern Islamists, in their assertion that all forms of governance over Muslims are illegitimate except the Islamic state Khilafah . One of Qutb's main ideas was applying the term Jahiliyya , which originally referred to humanity's state of ignorance before the revelation of Islam, to modern-day Muslim societies. In his view, turning away from Islamic law and Islamic values under the influence of European imperialism had left the Muslim world in a condition of debased ignorance, similar to that of the pre-Islamic era (or Jahiliyya ). The conditions he experienced in prison, it has been argued, pushed Qutb to the conclusion that the Egyptian state was totally illegitimate. Violence against the inmates was commonplace. Sometimes this took the form of torture, but it once climaxed in the murder of 23 Muslim Brothers and the wounding of 46 after a protest in which they refused to perform hard labor. This incident, according to some, transformed Qutb’s view of the Nasser government, which he considered to be unparalleled in its cruelty. His radicalization culminated in a little book published in 1964 which was based on the ideas he had written in notes and letters during his time in prison. This is the famous Ma'alim fi-l-Tariq . Qutb was let out of prison at the end of 1964 at the behest of the then Prime Minister of Iraq , Abdul Salam Arif , for only 8 months before being rearrested in August 1965. He was accused of plotting to overthrow the state and subjected to what some consider a show trial which culminated in a death sentence for him and six other members of the Muslim Brotherhood. On 29 August 1966, Sayyid Qutb was executed by hanging. His brother, Muhammad Qutb , moved to Saudi Arabia where he became a Professor of Islamic Studies . One of Muhammad Qutb's students and ardent followers was Ayman Zawahiri , who was to become the mentor of Osama bin Laden . Literary works: Mahammat ash-Sha'ir fi-l-hayat wa-shi'r al-jil al-hadir , 1933 ash-Shati al-majhul , 1935 al-Taswir al-Fanni fi-l-Qu'ran (Artistic Representation in the Qur'an), 1944/45 Tifl min al-qarya (A Child from the Village -- an autobiographical work), 1946 Theoretical works: Al-'adala al-Ijtima'iyya fi-l-Islam (Social Justice in Islam), 1949, his first theoretical work Fi zilal al-Qur'an (In the Shade of the Qur'an), 1954, commentary of the Qur'an in 30 volumes, his most important theoretical work. In 1960, a revised edition started to appear which was to remain uncompleted; the last volume appeared in 1964. The commentary is interesting in so far as it is rather innovative in its methodical approach, borrowing heavily from the method of literary interpretation developed by Amin al-Khuli , while retaining some structural features of classical commentaries (for example, the principle of progressing from the first sura to the last). Ma'alim fi-l-Tariq (Signposts on the Road, or Milestones), 1964, Qutb's best known work, regarded by some as "in many ways mark the beginnings of modern political Islam"2
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Sayyid Qutb behind bars in an Egyptian prison.Sayyid Qutb ( ) (also Said, Syed, Seyyid, Sayid, or Sayed; Koteb, Qutub, Kotb, or Kutb) ( ; October 9, 1906 – August 29, 1966) was an Egyptian author, educator, Islamist , poet , and the leading intellectual of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood in the 1950s and '60s.Author of 24 books, including novels, literary arts’ critique, works on education, he is best known in the Muslim world for his work on what he believed to be the social and political role of Islam , particularly in his books Social Justice and Ma'alim fi-l-Tariq ( Milestones ).His magnum opus , Fi Zilal al-Qur'an ( In the shade of the Qur'an ), is a 30-volume commentary on the Qur'an.Even though most of his observations and criticism were leveled at the Muslim world, Qutb is also known for his disapproval of the society and culture of the United States which he saw as obsessed with materialism and violence.Views on Qutb vary widely.He has been described by supporters as a great artist and martyr for Islam , but by many Western observers as one who shaped the ideas of Islamists and particularly of terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda Today, his supporters are often identified as Qutbists or "Qutbi", though they do not use the term to describe themselves.Library of Congress) give 1903.PBS program America at the crossroads .The Osama Bin Laden I Know By Peter L.The Evolution of Al-Qaeda: Osama bin Laden and Abu Musab al-Zarqawi Qutbism: An Ideology of Islamic-Fascism by Dale C.
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Sayyid Qutb ( / ˈ k uː t ə b / or / ˈ k ʌ t ə b / ; , ; Sayyid Quṭb ; also spelled Said, Syed, Seyyid, Sayid, Sayed, Koteb, Qutub, Kotb, Kutb ; 9 October 1906 – 29 August 1966) was an Egyptian author, educator, Islamic theorist, poet, and the leading member of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood in the 1950s and 1960s.In 1966 he was convicted of plotting the assassination of Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser and was executed by hanging . Author of 24 books, including novels, literary arts critique and works on education, he is best known in the Muslim world for his work on what he believed to be the social and political role of Islam , particularly in his books Social Justice and Ma'alim fi al-Tariq ( Milestones ). His magnum opus , Fi Zilal al-Quran ( In the Shade of the Qur'an ), is a 30-volume commentary on the Quran .During most of his life, Qutb's inner circle mainly consisted of influential politicians, intellectuals, poets and literary figures, both of his age and of the preceding generation.By the mid-1940s, many of his writings were officially among the curricula of schools, colleges and universities. Even though most of his observations and criticism were leveled at the Muslim world , Qutb is also known for his intense disapproval of the society and culture of the United States , which he saw as obsessed with materialism , violence, and sexual pleasures. Views on Qutb vary widely. He has been described by followers as a great thinker and martyr for Islam , while many Western observers see him as a key originator of Islamist ideology.Others in the West believe Qutb is an inspiration for violent groups such as al-Qaeda .Today, his supporters are identified as Qutbists or "Qutbi" (by their opponents, not by themselves).Although the photo is from other sources, it is identified on the BBC Documentary The Power of Nightmares as being the only known photo of Qutb at his trial immediately preceding his execution.The Society of The Muslim Brotherhood .Out of the Shadows: Getting ahead of prisoner radicalization Trevor Stanley.
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Sayyid Ibrahim Husayn Shadhili Qutb ( / ˈ k uː t ə b / or / ˈ k ʌ t ə b / ; , ; Sayyid Quṭb ; 9 October 1906 – 29 August 1966), known popularly as Sayyid Qutb , was an Egyptian author , educator , Islamic theorist, poet, and a leading member of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood in the 1950s and 1960s. In 1966, he was convicted of plotting the assassination of Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser and was executed by hanging . Author of 24 books, with around 30 books unpublished for different reasons (mainly destruction by the state), and at least 581 articles, including novels, literary arts critique and works on education, he is best known in the Muslim world for his work on what he believed to be the social and political role of Islam , particularly in his books Social Justice and Ma'alim fi al-Tariq ( Milestones ). His magnum opus , Fi Zilal al-Quran ( In the Shade of the Qur'an ), is a 30-volume commentary on the Quran . During most of his life, Qutb's inner circle mainly consisted of influential politicians, intellectuals, poets and literary figures, both of his age and of the preceding generation. By the mid-1940s, many of his writings were included in the curricula of schools, colleges and universities. Even though most of his observations and criticism were leveled at the Muslim world , Qutb is also known for his intense disapproval of the society and culture of the United States , which he saw as materialistic , and obsessed with violence and sexual pleasures. Qutb has been described by followers as a great thinker and martyr for Islam , while many Western observers (and some Muslims) see him as a key originator of Islamist ideology. and an inspiration for violent Islamist groups such as al-Qaeda .Today, his supporters are identified by their opponents as " Qutbists " or "Qutbi". Although the photo is from other sources, it is identified on the BBC Documentary The Power of Nightmares as being the only known photo of Qutb at his trial immediately preceding his execution. A Lesson In Hate Smithsonian Magazine " 'Qutb: Between Terror And Tragedy' by Hisham Sabrin" . The Society of The Muslim Brotherhood . Out of the Shadows: Getting ahead of prisoner radicalization Trevor Stanley.
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Egyptian author and Islamic theorist (1906–1966) Sayyid Ibrahim Husayn Qutb ( / ˈ k uː t ə b / or / ˈ k ʌ t ə b / ; ; ; 9 October 1906 – 29 August 1966) was an Egyptian author , educator , Islamic scholar, theorist, revolutionary , poet, and a leading member of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood in the 1950s and 1960s. In 1966, he was convicted of plotting the assassination of Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser and was executed by hanging . He is considered as "the Father of Salafi jihadism ", the religio-political doctrine that underpins the ideological roots of global jihadist organisations such as al-Qaeda and ISIL . Author of 24 books, with around 30 books unpublished for different reasons (mainly destruction by the state), and at least 581 articles, including novels, literary arts critique and works on education, he is best known in the Muslim world for his work on what he believed to be the social and political role of Islam , particularly in his books Social Justice and Ma'alim fi al-Tariq ( Milestones ). His magnum opus , Fi Zilal al-Quran ( In the Shade of the Qur'an ), is a 30-volume commentary on the Quran . During most of his life, Qutb's inner circle mainly consisted of influential politicians, intellectuals, poets and literary figures, both of his age and of the preceding generation. By the mid-1940s, many of his writings were included in the curricula of schools, colleges and universities. Even though most of his observations and criticism were leveled at the Muslim world , Qutb is also known for his intense disapproval of the society and culture of the United States , which he saw as materialistic , and obsessed with violence and sexual pleasures. Qutb has been described by followers as a great thinker and martyr for Islam , while many Western observers (and some Muslims) see him as a key originator of Islamist ideology, and an inspiration for violent Islamist groups such as al-Qaeda. Qutb is widely regarded as one of the most leading Islamist ideologues of the twentieth century.Strengthened by his status as a martyr , Qutb's ideas on Jahiliyya and his close linking of implementation of Shari'ah (Islamic Law) with Tawhid (Islamic monotheism) has highly influenced contemporary Islamist and Jihadist movements. Today, his supporters are identified by their opponents as " Qutbists " or "Qutbi". There are <ref group=Note> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a template (see the help page ).The Age of Sacred Terror .It was Sayyid Qutb who fused together the core elements of modern Islamism: the Kharijites' takfir, ibn Taymiyya's fatwas and policy prescriptions, Rashid Rida's salafism, Maududi's concept of the contemporary jahiliyya and Hassan al-Banna's political activism : CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list ( link ) Gumus, M.Sayyid Qutb... announced his admiration for Ibn Taimiyya and Muhammad 'Abduh in almost all his books.Leading with Everything to Give .Eliot's The Waste Land, which all portrayed the West as degenerate and profane "Qutb" . A Lesson In Hate Smithsonian Magazine " 'Qutb: Between Terror And Tragedy' by Hisham Sabrin" . The Society of The Muslim Brotherhood . Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy .
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Egyptian political theorist and revolutionary (1906–1966) Sayyid Ibrahim Husayn Shadhili Qutb (9 October 1906 – 29 August 1966) was an Egyptian political theorist and revolutionary who was a leading member of the Muslim Brotherhood . As the author of 24 books, with around 30 books unpublished for different reasons (mainly destruction by the state), and at least 581 articles, including novels, literary arts critique and works on education, Qutb is best known in the Muslim world for his work on what he believed to be the social and political role of Islam , particularly in his books Social Justice and Ma'alim fi al-Tariq ( Milestones ). His magnum opus , Fi Zilal al-Qur'an ( In the Shade of the Qur'an ), is a 30-volume commentary on the Quran . During most of his life, Qutb's inner circle mainly consisted of influential politicians, intellectuals, poets and literary figures, both of his age and of the preceding generation. By the mid-1940s, many of his writings were included in the curricula of schools, colleges and universities. In 1966, he was convicted of plotting the assassination of Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser and was executed by hanging . Even though most of his observations and criticism were leveled at the Muslim world , Qutb also intensely disapproved of the society and culture of the United States , which he saw as materialistic , and obsessed with violence and sexual pleasures. Qutb has been described by followers as a great thinker and martyr for Islam , while many Western observers (and some Muslims) see him as a key originator of Islamist ideology, and an inspiration for violent Islamist groups such as al-Qaeda. Qutb is widely regarded as one of the most leading Islamist ideologues of the twentieth century. Strengthened by his status as a martyr , Qutb's ideas on Jahiliyya and his close linking of implementation of sharia (Islamic Law) with Tawhid (Islamic monotheism) has highly influenced contemporary Islamist and Jihadist movements. Today, his supporters are identified by their opponents as " Qutbists " or "Qutbi". There are <ref group=Note> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a template (see the help page ). The Age of Sacred Terror . It was Sayyid Qutb who fused together the core elements of modern Islamism: the Kharijites' takfir, ibn Taymiyya's fatwas and policy prescriptions, Rashid Rida's salafism, Maududi's concept of the contemporary jahiliyya and Hassan al-Banna's political activism. Sayyid Qutb... announced his admiration for Ibn Taimiyya and Muhammad 'Abduh in almost all his books. Leading with Everything to Give . Eliot's The Waste Land, which all portrayed the West as degenerate and profane "Qutb" . A Lesson In Hate Smithsonian Magazine " 'Qutb: Between Terror And Tragedy' by Hisham Sabrin" . The Society of The Muslim Brotherhood . Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy .
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Today
Wikipedia's first sentence called it “egyptian author”. Today it says “egyptian political theorist and revolutionary who was a leading member of the muslim brotherhood”. The one-line description Wikipedia serves to search engines and AI systems read “Egyptian author and Islamic theorist (1906–1966)”. It now reads “Egyptian political theorist and revolutionary (1906–1966)”. Read the current article and compare.
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What Wikipedia says this is
Every article opens by defining its subject. This one was redefined since October 7, and today's defining sentence is their current revision.
Then
egyptian author
Now
egyptian political theorist and revolutionary who was a leading member of the muslim brotherhood
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