Introduction to Sayyid Qutb book_ In the Shade of the Qur'an

[أحمد جميل مسعد]

In the Shade of the Qur'an
In the Name of God, the Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful

Living in the shade of the Qur'an is a blessing. A blessing known only to those who have tasted it. It is a blessing that exalts life, purifies it, and bestows upon it grace.

Praise be to God... He has endowed me with life in the shade of the Qur'an for a period of time, during which I tasted of His grace that which I had never tasted in my entire life. I tasted this blessing that elevates life, blesses it, and purifies it.

I lived hearing God—Glory be to Him—addressing me through this Qur'an... I, the small and humble servant. What divine and majestic honor is this for man? What loftiness does this Revelation grant to one’s life? What noble standing does the Generous Creator bestow upon His human creation?

I lived—in the shade of the Qur'an—looking from a height at the Jahiliyyah (ignorance) that surges across the earth, and at the small, meager concerns of its people. I looked at the arrogance of the people of this Jahiliyyah regarding what they possess of "childish" knowledge, childish concepts, and childish interests... just as an adult looks at the play, the attempts, and the lisping of children. I wondered: What is the matter with these people?! Why do they wallow in the stagnant, foul marsh and do not hear the majestic, sublime call? The call that elevates life, blesses it, and purifies it?

A Comprehensive Vision of Existence
In the shade of the Qur'an, I lived contemplating that complete, comprehensive, lofty, and pure vision of existence—the purpose of all existence and the purpose of human existence itself. I compared it to the concepts of the Jahiliyyah in which humanity lives today—in the East and the West, the North and the South. I asked: How can humanity live in this stagnant swamp, in this bottomless pit, and in this pitch darkness, when they have such a pure meadow, such a high peak, and such a radiant light?

I lived—in the shade of the Qur'an—sensing the beautiful harmony between human activity as God intends it, and the movement of this universe which God created. Then I looked and saw the confusion suffered by humanity in its deviation from universal laws, and the collision between the corrupt, evil teachings imposed upon it and its innate nature (Fitra) upon which God fashioned it. I said to myself: What malicious devil is this that leads its steps toward this hell?

"Alas for the servants!"

I lived—in the shade of the Qur'an—seeing existence as much greater than its witnessed appearance. Greater in its reality and greater in its multifaceted nature. It is the world of the Unseen and the Seen, not the world of the Seen alone. It is the life of this world and the Hereafter, not this world alone. Human creation extends through the paths of this long span. Death is not the end of the journey, but a stage along the way. Whatever a person attains on this earth is not their full share; it is but a portion of that share. What they miss of reward here, they shall not miss there. Thus, there is no injustice, no deprivation, and no loss.

Furthermore, the stage a person crosses on the back of this planet is a journey in a living, friendly, and intimate universe; a friendly and loving world. A universe with a soul that receives, responds, and turns toward the One Creator, just as the soul of the believer turns toward Him in humility: "To Allah prostrates whoever is within the heavens and the earth, willingly or by compulsion, and their shadows [as well] in the mornings and the afternoons." "The seven heavens and the earth and whatever is in them exalt Him. And there is not a thing except that it exalts [Allah] by His praise."

What comfort, what vastness, what intimacy, and what confidence does this comprehensive, complete, spacious, and correct vision pour into the heart?

The Nobility of Man
I lived—in the shade of the Qur'an—seeing man as far more noble than any estimation humanity has ever known for man, before or since. He is a human by a breath of God’s Spirit: "So when I have proportioned him and breathed into him of My spirit, then fall down to him in prostration." By this breath, he is a vicegerent on earth: "And [mention] when your Lord said to the angels, 'Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority (Khalifa).'" And everything on earth is subjected to him: "And He has subjected to you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth - all from Him."

Because man possesses this degree of dignity and loftiness, God made the bond upon which humans gather the bond derived from that noble divine breath. He made it the bond of faith in God. Thus, the believer's creed is their homeland, their people, and their family. Consequently, humans gather upon this alone, not upon the likes of what cattle gather upon—pasture, herding, and fences!

The believer has a noble lineage that strikes deep into the paths of time. He is one of that noble procession led by that noble group: Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad—peace be upon them all. "Indeed, this nation of yours is one nation, and I am your Lord, so fear Me."

One Way, One Truth
In the shade of the Qur'an, I learned that there is no place in this existence for blind chance or accidental occurrences: "Indeed, all things We created with predestination (Qadar)." "He created everything and determined it with [precise] determination." Every matter is for a wisdom. However, the deep wisdom of the Unseen may not be revealed to the short-sighted human gaze. "Perhaps you hate a thing and Allah makes therein much good." "Perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah Knows, while you know not."

I lived—in the shade of the Qur'an—with a peaceful soul, a reassured conscience, and a tranquil heart. I lived seeing the Hand of God in every event and every matter. I lived in the sanctuary of God and His care. I lived sensing the positivity of His attributes and their effectiveness: "Is He [not best] who responds to the desperate one when he calls upon Him and removes evil?" "And He is the subjugator over His servants, and He is the Wise, the Acquainted." "And Allah is predominant over His affair, but most of the people do not know."

The Divine Methodology
I concluded from this period of life—in the shade of the Qur'an—with a firm and decisive certainty: there is no reform for this earth, no rest for this humanity, no tranquility for this person, no elevation, no blessing, no purity, and no harmony with the laws of the universe and the nature of life... except by returning to God.

Returning to God—as manifest in the shade of the Qur'an—has only one form and one path. One, and no other. It is the return of all of life to the methodology of God which He prescribed for humanity in His Noble Book. It is to make this Book alone the judge over life and to refer to it alone in all affairs. Otherwise, it is corruption on earth, misery for people, and a regression into the marsh of Jahiliyyah that worships whim instead of God.

This humanity—being the creation of God—cannot unlock the secrets of its nature except with keys made by God. It cannot treat its diseases and ailments except with the medicine that comes from His hand—Glory be to Him.

Conclusion
The removal of Islam from the leadership of humanity was a monumental event in its history and a crushing catastrophe in its life—a catastrophe unlike any other humanity has known.

Islam had taken over leadership when the earth had become corrupt and life had grown stagnant. It created a new birth for man, greater in reality than his first creation. It established a unique social reality that was beyond the imagination of humanity before the Qur'an brought it into existence.

Today, material civilization stands like a bird flapping with one mighty wing while the other is broken. It rises in material innovation as much as it sinks in human meaning. It suffers from anxiety, confusion, and psychological illnesses that the wise there cry out against... if only they would find their way to God's methodology, for it alone is the treatment and the cure.

These are some of the thoughts and impressions from a period of life in the shade of the Qur'an. Perhaps God will bring benefit through them and guide by them. "And you do not will except that Allah wills."

Sayyid Qutb

[أحمد جميل مسعد]

I seek refuge in Allah, the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing, and in His Noble Face and His Eternal Authority, from the accursed Shaytan. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Peace be upon you, and the mercy and blessings of Allah.

This text serves as the introduction to the book "In the Shade of the Qur'an" by the litterateur and thinker Sayyid Qutb. It is a text that blends deep spirituality, intellectual analysis, and a reformist methodology. Here is a comprehensive analysis of the text from several perspectives:

1. The Objective Level (Key Ideas)
The text revolves around a personal experience that transformed into a comprehensive cosmic vision. Its ideas can be summarized as follows:

The Grandeur of the Qur'anic Experience: The author describes living with the Holy Qur'an as a "blessing" that elevates and hallows one's life—an experience that grants man a sense of Divine honor.

The Concept of Contemporary "Jahiliyyah" (Ignorance): Looking from the heights of the Qur'an, the author views the world distant from Allah’s guidance as small and frail—resembling the play and perceptions of children, despite its material progress.

The Islamic Conception of Existence: The text presents a holistic vision of the universe (the Unseen and the Witnessed, this world and the Hereafter). It links human movement to cosmic laws, asserting that clashing with Fitra (innate human nature) is the cause of human misery.

The Honoring of Man: It emphasizes that human value is not derived from matter, but from the "Divine Breath" and man's vicegerency on Earth. The true bond between humans is the "Believer's Creed," not material ties (land or race).

The Unity of the Procession of Faith: The believer sees themselves as part of a continuous historical procession starting from Noah and reaching Muhammad (PBUH)—a procession that faces the same crises and awaits the same victory.

2. The Emotional and Spiritual Level
The text is dominated by an atmosphere of tranquility, serenity, and "Faith-based Transcendence":

Tranquility: Evident in phrases like "calm in soul, serene in heart," resulting from the certainty that the Hand of Allah governs the universe, not coincidence.

Transcendence: Not in the sense of arrogance, but in the soul’s elevation above the trivialities and meager concerns of "Jahiliyyah."

Compassion (Lamentation): Seen in expressions like "Alas for the servants" and "poor humanity," as he looks upon those far from the Divine path with mercy and pity for their loss.

3. The Stylistic and Aesthetic Level
As Sayyid Qutb was originally a man of letters, the text is rich in imagery and rhetorical devices:

Metaphor and Imagery:

The use of the "Shade" metaphor expresses the protection, comfort, and cool refuge provided by the Qur'an.

He likens material civilization to a "bird fluttering with a single wing" (the mighty material wing vs. the broken spiritual wing), a powerful image reflecting the imbalance of the modern world.

He likens humanity to children boasting of a "glittering garment," expressing a delusion with material appearances.

Antithesis (Contrast): The text relies on constant comparisons: (Light of the Qur'an / Darkness of Jahiliyyah), (High Elevation / Low Abyss), (Divine Methodology / Earthly Doctrines).

Qur'anic Citation: The text is not merely a sermon; it is an intellectual construct that integrates Qur'anic verses into the analysis to prove that the Qur'an is a "Way of Life," not just a "Book of Worship."

4. The Intellectual and Philosophical Dimension
The author puts forward several central concepts of his thought:

The Sovereignty of the Divine Method: He believes human misery results from sidelining Islam from leadership, and that the "keys to human nature" are held only by the Creator.

The Interconnection of Laws: He rejects the separation between "natural laws" and "faith-based values," asserting that faith and uprightness are part of the cosmic laws that bring sustenance and blessing (e.g., linking repentance to the falling of rain).

Balance between Nature and Legislation: He explains that Islam does not break human nature nor force results; rather, it grows like a towering tree, with calmness and stability.

Conclusion
The text is a manifesto in which Sayyid Qutb announces his break from earthly conceptions and his ascent to a vision he sees as vaster and more comprehensive through the Qur'an. It is a call to return to the Source (Revelation) as the sole solution to the psychological, social, and political crises afflicting humanity.

Do not forget me in your righteous prayers. And our final prayer is: All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Worlds.