So, for reading #4, I figured I'd give you all a choice between two of my favorite books. I'll tally the votes by December 10.
Sayyid Qutb's Milestones
- Four of its chapters were originally destined for the 30-volume tafsir Qutb published, but since that's impractical to read, there is this little gem of Islamist philosophy instead. Whether this book is a ground-breaking work of a genius by a hero/martyr describing the path towards Islamic revival or tome extolling hatred written by a paranoid, illogical coward depends on your outlook on life. It would be helpful to review Lenin's works before you read this.
or
Jalal al-e Ahmad's Gharbzadegi
- Published in secret in 1962 by the noted writer and poet, Ayatollah Khomeini wrote,Although Ahmad died in 1969, many consider Gharbzadegi to be the intellectual spine of the Islamic Revolution. Being familiar with the Existentialist movement in France will be helpful.The poisonous culture of imperialism [is] penetrating to the depths of towns and villages throughout the Muslim world, displacing the culture of the Qur'an, recruiting our youth en masse to the service of foreigners and imperialists...*
*[Islam and Revolution: Writings and Declarations of Imam Khomeini, (1981), p.195]
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