Commentary by Syed Qutb: What the Qur'an Teaches: An appeal to reason, Islamic Ideology, NewAgeIslam.com

Islamic Ideology

Commentary by Syed Qutb: What the Qur'an Teaches: An appeal to reason

It shares the same main themes of all Makkan surahs, aiming to lay the foundation of faith. At the very outset it dwells on the nature of revelation and the truth of the message: “Ya Sin. By the Qur’an, full of wisdom, you are indeed one of God’s messengers, pursuing a straight way. It is a revelation by the Almighty, the Ever Merciful.” It relates the story of the people of the township to which messengers were sent, using the story to warn against rejection of the message and denial of the revelation. It shows the end that befell the people of the township to emphasize the message the surah wants to deliver. Toward the end, the surah picks up this point again: “We have not taught the Prophet poetry; nor is it fitting for him (to be a poet). This is but a reminder and a Qur’an making all things clear, to warn everyone who is alive, and that the word of God be proved against the unbelievers.”

http://newageislam.com/commentary-by-syed-qutb--what-the-qur-an-teaches--an-appeal-to-reason/islamic-ideology/d/758

The Friday Sermon: Colour in all creation, Islamic Ideology, NewAgeIslam.com

Islamic Ideology

The Friday Sermon: Colour in all creation

By Sayyid Qutb

Commentary by Friday 8 August 2008 (05 Sha`ban 1429)

In the Name of God, the Lord of Grace, the Ever Merciful

The passage adds readings from God’s revealed book, confirming the truth it contains and an endorsement of what had gone before it of revelations. It speaks about how this book has been granted to the Muslim community as its rightful legacy, making it clear that the heirs are of different classes, but that they all expect to receive God’s pardon and forgiveness of sins. An image of their enjoyment of God’s favours in the life to come is painted to contrast with an image of what punishment awaits the unbelievers. This round, rich in colour, is concluded by a statement that all takes place in accordance with God’s knowledge.

“Are you not aware that God sends down water from the skies, with which We bring forth fruits of different colours? In the mountains there are streaks of white and red of various shades, as well as others jet-black. Similarly, human beings, beasts and cattle have various colours. It is those who are endowed with knowledge that stand truly in awe of God. Indeed God is Almighty, Much-Forgiving.” This is a remarkable touch confirming the source of the Qur’an. It looks at the entire world with a special focus on colour, pointing out its great variety in fruits, mountains, people, animals and cattle. It only takes a few words to group together animate and inanimate objects throughout the Earth, leaving us in full amazement at this wonderful exhibition.

http://newageislam.com/the-friday-sermon--colour-in-all-creation/islamic-ideology/d/460

God is the source of all power, Islamic Ideology, NewAgeIslam.com

Islamic Ideology

God is the source of all power

By Sayyid Qutb

The Quraysh sought to enjoy might and glory among the Arabs through idolatrous beliefs that lacked real substance. They feared to follow divine guidance, even though they acknowledged that it was guidance, because they feared for their own status. Yet those people, the Arabian tribes and clans, were not a source of might and glory. They could not give or deny these to anyone: “All might and glory belong to God alone.” If they enjoyed any measure of power and might, it was only because God gave them this. Therefore, anyone who wishes to have these should go to the original source, not to a recipient of that source. Recipients can only give what they have in excess. Besides, recipients are also weak and in need.

This is an essential truth of Islamic faith, which establishes values, standards, judgment, behaviour and ways and means. When this truth is firmly rooted in one’s heart, one does not hesitate to stand up in dignity and glory to the rest of the world, knowing from whom one derives might and glory. Such a person does not bow before any despot, storm, calamity, state, or worldly force whatsoever. Why would they when all might and glory belong to God alone, and when no one receives any portion of it without His leave?

http://newageislam.com/god-is-the-source-of-all-power/islamic-ideology/d/120