Nasser vs. Qutb: The Clash of Secularism and Islamism in Modern Egypt
Gamal Abdel Nasser and Syed Qutb were two of the most influential figures in modern Egyptian history. Nasser was a secular nationalist who led the 1952 Revolution that overthrew the monarchy and founded the Egyptian Republic. Qutb was a devout Muslim who was a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, a religious and political organization that opposed Nasser's regime.
Despite their shared Egyptian nationality, Nasser and Qutb had very different views on the future of Egypt and the role of Islam in society. Nasser believed that Egypt should be a secular state that was independent from both the West and the Soviet Union. He sought to modernize Egypt and to improve the lives of its people through economic development and social welfare programs. Qutb, on the other hand, believed that Egypt should be an Islamic state that was governed by Sharia law. He argued that Islam was the only solution to Egypt's problems and that Nasser's secular reforms were a betrayal of Islam.
The differences between Nasser and Qutb led to a bitter rivalry between the two men. In 1954, members of the Muslim Brotherhood attempted to assassinate Nasser. Qutb was arrested and charged with treason. He was found guilty and sentenced to death. Qutb was hanged in 1966.
Nasser's death in 1970 did not end the conflict between secularists and Islamists in Egypt. Qutb's writings continue to inspire Islamist movements around the world. His ideas have been cited by groups such as al-Qaeda and ISIS.
The following table summarizes the key differences between Nasser and Qutb:
| Characteristic | Gamal Abdel Nasser | Syed Qutb |
|---|---|---|
| Political ideology | Secular nationalism | Islamism |
| Vision for Egypt | A modern, independent state | An Islamic state governed by Sharia law |
| Relationship with the Muslim Brotherhood | Opposed the Muslim Brotherhood | Member of the Muslim Brotherhood |
| Legacy | A controversial figure who is both admired and reviled | A revered figure among Islamists |
The conflict between Nasser and Qutb is a complex one that continues to have a profound impact on Egypt and the wider Muslim world.
Syed Qutb was accused of being involved in a plot to kill Gamal Abdel Nasser in 1954, when a Muslim Brotherhood member attempted to assassinate Nasser during a speech. Qutb denied any knowledge of the plot and claimed he was innocent. However, he was arrested and tortured by Nasser’s security forces. He was released in 1964, but he continued to write and preach against Nasser’s regime. He was arrested again in 1965, after the authorities discovered his book Milestones, which called for a violent overthrow of the existing order. He was tried and convicted of plotting another assassination attempt against Nasser and was executed by hanging in 1966.
Nasser’s regime responded to Qutb’s ideas by suppressing and persecuting the Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamist groups. Nasser accused Qutb and his followers of being traitors and enemies of the state who wanted to impose a backward and fanatical version of Islam. Nasser also tried to counter Qutb’s ideas by promoting a secular and socialist vision of Arab nationalism that emphasized social justice, modernization and anti-imperialism. Nasser’s regime also used propaganda and censorship to discredit Qutb’s ideas and prevent their spread. However, Qutb’s ideas continued to inspire Islamists who saw Nasser’s regime as illegitimate and oppressive.
Al-Qaeda holds Qutb’s ideas more than the Muslim Brotherhood. Al-Qaeda is a Islamist group that follows Qutb’s doctrine of jihad against the enemies of Islam, both internal and external. Al-Qaeda’s leaders, such as Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri, were influenced by Qutb’s writings and his martyrdom.
The Muslim Brotherhood, on the other hand, is a more diverse and moderate Islamist movement that has renounced violence and embraced democracy in some countries. The Muslim Brotherhood and al-Qaeda have often clashed over their different strategies and goals. Al-Qaeda believes that the Muslim Brotherhood has compromised its Islamic principles by participating in secular politics and seeking gradual reform. Al-Qaeda believes that the only way to establish an Islamic state is through jihad, or holy war. The Muslim Brotherhood, on the other hand, believes that an Islamic state can be established through peaceful means, such as participating in elections and working within the existing political system. The Muslim Brotherhood has condemned al-Qaeda and its attacks. The group has also distanced itself from Qutb's more extreme views. However, some members of the Muslim Brotherhood still admire Qutb and his writings.