Introduction

The development of Islamic revivalism, as a political movement, is closely associated with particular individuals and their intellectual contributions of formative ideas. These ideas have reshaped public debate and the political experience of many in the Muslim world and have made a permanent contribution to eternal questions about freedom, justice and equality. In this respect, the Egyptian Sayyid Qutb (1906-1966) occupies a unique position in contemporary Muslim thought and in the current Islamic revivalism in Egypt and abroad. Qutb emerged as a pre-eminent figure in the articulation of a coherent Islamic ideology mainly centred on his concept of Sovereignty (hakimiyyah), a political concept that has been puzzled over at times and alarmed and often frustrated the media and political establishments at other times. This book was set out to explore its force and intent and the challenge to the ideological and political establishments.