the america i have seen
TRANSCRIPT
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ashf ul Shubuhat Publications
TheAmericaIHaveSeen:
IntheScaleofHumanValues(1951)BySayyidQutbashShaheed
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SAYYIDQUTBwasEgyptsmostprominentIslamicactivistandthemost
famousmemberoftheMuslimBrothersorganizationuntilhisexecutionby
Nassersregimein1966.Oneofhisbiographerscompareshisoverallstandingas
anIslamicthinkerandactivisttothatofAyatollahKhomeini.Heistheauthorof
severalworksonIslamistideologyincludinghisradicalMilestones(1964)forthe
publicationofwhichhewashanged.In1948,hewassentbytheEgyptian
MinistryofEducationtotheUnitedStatestostudyAmericanpedagogical
methods.HestudiedatWilsonsTeachersCollege(nowtheUniversityofthe
DistrictofColumbia);theUniversityofNorthernColoradosTeachersCollege,
whereheearnedanM.A.ineducation,andatStanfordUniversity.Uponhis
returntoEgyptin1950,hepublishedanaccountofhisstayintheUnitedStates
intheEgyptianmagazineAlRisalaunderthetitle,TheAmericaIHaveSeen.
ThesameaccountwaslaterincludedinabookeditedbyAbdalFattahal
Khalidiunderthetellingtitle,AmrikaminalDakhilbiMinzarSayyidQutb
(Americafrom
the
Inside
through
the
Eyes
of
Sayyid
Qutb).
The
title
page
has
a
drawingoftheAmericanflagshownpartlyfoldedwithabloodstained,black
stripedflagbeneathit.Americamayappeartobeonething,butinsideitis
somethingelsetotally.
FirstEpisode
America:Location
and
Privilege
America,theNewWorld,isthatvast,farflungworldthatoccupiesintheminds
eyemorespacethanitreallydoesonthisearth.Imaginationsanddreams
glimmeronthisworldwithillusionandwonder.Theheartsofmenfalluponit
fromeveryvalley,menfromeveryraceandcolor,everywalkoflife,andevery
sectandcreed.
America,thevastexpansesoflandthatstretchfromtheAtlantictothePacific.
Americaistheinexhaustiblematerialresources,strengthandmanpower.Itisthe
hugefactories,unequaledinallofcivilization.Itistheawesome,incalculableyields,theubiquitousinstitutes,laboratories,andmuseums.Americangeniusin
managementandorganizationevokeswonderandadmiration.Americas
bountyandprosperityevokesthedreamsofthePromisedLand.Thebeautythat
ismanifestedinitslandscape,inthefacesandphysiquesofitspeopleis
spellbinding.Americaconjuresuppleasuresthatacknowledgenolimitormoral
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restraint,dreamsthatarecapableoftakingcorporealshapeintherealmoftime
andspace.
AmericasShareofHumanValues
ThisgreatAmerica:Whatisitsworthinthescaleofhumanvalues?Andwhat
doesitaddtothemoralaccountofhumanity?And,bythejourneysend,what
willitscontributionbe?
IfearthatabalancemaynotexistbetweenAmericasmaterialgreatnessandthe
qualityofitspeople.AndIfearthatthewheeloflifewillhaveturnedandthe
bookoftimewillhaveclosedandAmericawillhaveaddednothing,ornextto
nothing,totheaccountofmoralsthatdistinguishesmanfromobject,andindeed,
mankindfromanimals.
TheMeasureofCivilization
Thetruevalueofeverycivilizationthatmanhasknownliesnotinthetoolsman
hasinventedorinhowmuchpowerhewields.Nordoesitlieintheyieldshis
handshaveharvested.Mostofthevalueofcivilizationslayinwhatuniversal
truthsandworldviewstheyhaveattained.Theseachievementselevatefeelings,
edifyconsciences,andadddepthtomansperceptionofthevaluesofalllife,and
humanlifeinparticular.Theyincreasethedistancebetweenmanandanimalin
feelings
and
behavior,
through
mans
estimation
of
life
and
things.
Asfortheinventionoftools,thewieldingofpowers,orthemakingofobjects,
thesethingsareinandofthemselvesweightlessinthescaleofhumanvalues.
Theyservemerelyasindicatorsofanotherfundamentalvalue,thatistheextent
towhichthehumanelementofmaniselevated,howfarhisstepshavetaken
himfromtheworldofthingsandtheworldofanimalsandwhathasbeenadded
tohishumanaccountofwealthandreflectionsonlife.
So,inhisfeelingsforthislife,thisfundamentalvalueistheplaceofcomparison
andbalance
between
one
civilization
and
another
and
one
philosophy
and
another.Moreover,itisthelastingaccountandisrelevanttofuturecivilizations
whereastoolsbreakdownandobjectsperish,onlytobereplacedbynewertools
andobjectsfromonemomenttoanotheranywhereonthisearth.
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TheFieldofAmericanInnovation
ItappearsthatallAmericaningenuityisconcentratedinthefieldofworkand
production,somuchsothatnoabilityremainstoadvanceinthefieldofhuman
values.Americasproductivityisunmatchedbyanyothernation.Ithas
miraculouslyelevatedlifetolevelsthatcannotbebelieved.Butmancannot
maintainhisbalancebeforethemachineandrisksbecomingamachinehimself.
Heisunabletoshouldertheburdenofexhaustingworkandforgeaheadonthe
pathofhumanity,heunleashestheanimalwithin.
America:ThePeakofAdvancementandtheDepthofPrimitiveness
TheresearcherofAmericanlifewillstandatfirstpuzzledbeforeawondrous
phenomenon,aphenomenonthatexistsnowhereelseonearth.Itisthecaseofa
peoplewho
have
reached
the
peak
of
growth
and
elevation
in
the
world
of
scienceandproductivity,whileremainingabysmallyprimitiveintheworldof
thesenses,feelings,andbehavior.Apeoplewhohavenotexceededthemost
primordiallevelsofexistence,andindeed,remainfarbelowthemincertainareas
offeelingsandbehavior.Buttheconfusionvanishesafterscrutinizingthepast
andpresentofthispeople,andthereasonthatthiszenithofcivilizationhas
combinedwiththisnadirofprimitivenessisrevealed.
TheBalancedCompositionofMan
Intheancientworld,manfirstbelievedintheunknownpowerofnatureand
arounditwovemythsandlegends.Then,hebelievedinreligion,andhissoul
wasfloodedwithitslightsandrevelations.Then,hebelievedinart,andhis
yearningsmaterializedascolors,tunes,andrhythms.Andfinally,afterhisself
hadbeentornbetweenamyriadoffaiths,colorsoffeelings,differing
manifestationsoflifesimages,andtheexaggerationsofimagination,hebelieved
inscience.Thisbeliefinsciencetookplaceonlyafterhissoulhadbeentamedby
religion,hissensesedifiedbyart,andhisbehaviorprunedbyconvocationand
afterhisvaluesandprincipleshadbeenshapedbytherealityofhistoryandhis
freeyearnings.
And
while
these
principles
and
values
may
or
may
not
have
been
fulfilledindailylife,atleasttheyfoundechoesintheconscienceandinfeelings.
Therewashopeoffulfillmentbecausethemerepresenceoftheseprinciplesand
valuesintheabstractworldwasagreatstepformankindonthepathto
humanity,andaluminousbeamofhopefortheireventualrealizationindaily
life.
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TheDeformedBirthoftheAmericanMan
InAmerica,manwasbornwithscience,andthusbelievedinitalone.Infact,he
onlybelievedinonekindofscience,andthatwasappliedscience.Sincehe
receivednatureasanuntamed,stubbornvirgin,andfoughttobuildhis
homelandwithhisbarehands,appliedsciencewashisgreatestallyinhisviolent
struggle.Appliedsciencereachedouttohimwitheffectivetoolsforcreating,
building,organizing,andproducing.
AmericaasaVirginLand
TheAmericanhasnotyetfinishedwiththebuildingstage,forthereremain
interminable,incalculableexpansesofvirginland,untouchedbyanyhand,and
virginforestsuntroddenbyanyfoot,andminesthathaveneitherbeen
excavatednor
depleted.
There
remains
for
the
American
the
continuation
of
his
firstconstructioneffort,inspiteofhishavingachievedthepeakoforganization
andproduction.
ThePsychologicalStateoftheFirstAmericans
Andwewoulddowellnottoforgetthepsychologicalstatethatwaveafterwave,
andgenerationaftergenerationofAmericansbroughttothisland.Forthey
broughtablendofdiscontentwiththelifeoftheOldWorldandthedesirefor
freedom
from
its
rigid
traditions
whether
they
were
onerous,
corrupt
traditions
orsoundandnecessaryones.Thispsychologicalstatespringsfromanenduring
desireforwealthbyanymeans,andforthepossessionofthelargestpossible
shareofpleasuresandcompensationfortheeffortexpendedtoacquirewealth.
TheOriginoftheAmericans
Andwewoulddowellalsonottoforgetthesocialandmentalstateofthe
majorityofthesefirstwavesofimmigrantswhoformedtheseedsofthisnew
nation.Forthesewaveswerecomposedofgroupsofadventurers,andgroupsof
criminals.The
adventurers
came
seeking
wealth,
pleasure,
and
adventure,
while
thecriminalswerebroughttothislandfromthelandsoftheBritishEmpireas
laborforconstructionandproduction.
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AppliedScienceandHumanValues
Thesecombinationsofentanglementsandofwavesofpeoplenaturally
encouragedandfosteredprimitivecharacteristicsinthisnewnation,andignored
andresistedtheelevatedcharacteristicsofsomeofthenationsindividualsand
groups.Sotheprimalurgeswererevitalized,asifmanretracedhisfirststeps,
withonedifference,inthecaseofAmerica,primitivemanisarmedwithscience,
withwhichhewasborn,andwhichguidedhissteps.Andscienceinitself,and
especiallyappliedscience,playsnoroleinthefieldofhumanvalues,orinthe
worldofthesoulandfeelings.Andthisnarrowedhishorizons,shrankhissoul,
limitedhisfeelings,anddecreasedhisplaceattheglobalfeast,whichissofullof
patternsandcolors.
TheStruggleoftheFirstAmericanwithNature
Andonemaybeamazedwhenreadingthestoriesofthefirstpilgrimsto
Americainitsearlydays,andimaginetheirepic,amazingstrugglesagainsta
defiantnatureinfarflung,desolatelands,andevenbeforethis,bravingthe
oceanshorrificsquallsanditsconqueringwaves,intheirsmall,fragilevessels.
Assoonasthesepilgrimslandedupontherocks,withtheirvesselsdestroyedor
damaged,theyfacedtheunchartedforests,thetortuousmountainmazes,the
fieldsofice,thethunderinghurricanes,andthebeasts,serpents,andverminof
theforest.Onemaybeamazedathowallthisdidnotleaveashadowuponthe
American
spirit
and
inspire
a
belief
in
the
majesty
of
nature
and
that
which
is
beyondnature,openingfortheAmericanspiritawindowonthingsthatare
morethanmatterandtheworldofmatter.
TheSecretoftheDeformedAmericanCharacter
However,thisamazementvanisheswhenoneremembersthatmixtureofthe
earlyAmericanpilgrimsandtheirsurroundingconditions.Theytacklednature
withtheweaponsofscienceandthestrengthofthemuscle,sonothingexisted
withinthembesidesthecrudepowerofthemindandtheoverwhelminglustfor
thesensual
pleasure.
No
windows
to
the
world
of
the
spirit
or
the
heart
or
tender
sentimentwereopenedtotheAmericansastheywereopenedtothefirst
humans.Agreatdealofthisworldofspirit,heart,andtendersentimentwas
preservedbythefirsthumans,andmuchofthiscontinuedtobepreservedeven
intheageofscience,andaddedtotheaccountofhumanvaluesthatendured
throughtime.
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Andwhenhumanityclosesthewindowstofaithinreligion,faithinart,andfaith
inspiritualvaluesaltogether,thereremainsnooutletforitsenergytobe
expendedexceptintherealmofappliedscienceandlabor,ortobedissipatedin
sensualpleasure.AndthisiswhereAmericahasendedupafterfourhundred
years.
SecondEpisode
TheAmericanPrimitiveness
Despitehisadvancedknowledgeandsuperlativework,theAmericanappearsto
besoprimitiveinhisoutlookonlifeanditshumanitarianaspectsthatitis
puzzlingto
the
observer.
This
clear
contradiction
may
make
the
Americans
appearasaneccentricnationintheeyesofforeignerswhoobservethelifeofthis
nationfromafarandareatalosstoreconcilesuchanindustrialcivilization,with
itspreciseorderandorganizationoflabor,withsuchprimitivenessoffeeling
andmanner,aprimitivenessthatremindsoneofthedayswhenmanlivedin
junglesandcaves!
PrimitivenessinAthletics
Itseems
the
American
is
primitive
in
his
appreciation
of
muscular
strength
and
thestrengthofmatteringeneral.Totheextentthatheoverlooksprinciples,
values,andmannersinhispersonallife,inhisfamilylife,andinhissociallife,
exceptintherealmofwork,andeconomicandmonetaryrelationships.This
primitivenesscanbeseeninthespectacleofthefansastheyfollowagameof
football,playedintheroughAmericanstyle,whichhasnothingtodowithits
name(football),forthefootdoesnottakepartinthegame.Instead,eachplayer
attemptstocatchtheballwithhishandsandrunwithittowardthegoal,while
theplayersoftheopposingteamattempttotacklehimbyanymeansnecessary,
whetherthisbeablowtohisstomach,orcrushinghisarmsandlegswithgreat
violenceandferocity.Thesightofthefansastheyfollowthisgame,orwatchboxingmatchesorbloody,monstrouswrestlingmatches...isoneofanimal
excitementbornoftheirloveforhardcoreviolence.Theirlackofattentiontothe
rulesandsportsmanshiptotheextentthattheyareenthralledwiththeflowing
bloodandcrushedlimbs,cryingloudly,everyonecheeringforhisteam.Destroy
hishead.Crushhisribs.Beathimtoapulp.Thisspectacleleavesnoroomfor
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doubtastotheprimitivenessofthefeelingsofthosewhoareenamoredwith
muscularstrengthanddesireit.
AmericanLoveforPeaceAnIllusion
AndwiththisprimitivespirittheAmericanpeoplefollowthestrugglesof
groupsandparties,andthestrugglesofnationsandpeoples.Icannotfathom
howthisstrangeillusionthatAmericanslovepeacetookrootintheworld,
especiallyintheEast.
TheAmericanandtheHungerforWar
Indeed,theAmericanisbyhisverynatureawarriorwholovescombat.Theidea
ofcombatandwarrunsstronginhisblood.Itisevidentinhismannerandthisis
whatagrees
with
his
history.
For
the
first
waves
of
people
left
their
homelands,
headingforAmericawiththeintentionofbuildingandcompetingand
struggling.Andoncethere,someofthemkilledothers,astheywerecomposed
ofgroupsandfactions.Thentheyallfoughtagainsttheoriginalinhabitantsof
theland(theredIndians),andtheycontinuetowageabloodywaragainstthem
untilthisverymoment.ThentheAngloSaxonskilledtheLatinosandpushed
themsouthtowardcentralandsouthernAmerica.ThentheseAmericanized
peopleturnedagainsttheirmothercountry,England,inadestructivewarledby
GeorgeWashingtonuntiltheyobtainedtheirindependencefromtheBritish
crown.
TheTrueMotivationsfortheManumissionofAmericanSlaves
ThentheNorthfoughttheSouthunderthecommandofAbrahamLincolnina
warthatwascalledthefreeingoftheslaves.Butitstruemotivationwas
economiccompetition.TheslavesthathadbeencapturedfromcentralAfricato
workinthelandwerefragileandcouldnotwithstandthecoldclimateofthe
North,sotheyweremovedtotheSouth.Theresultwasthatthebuildersofthe
SouthfoundcheaplaborthatwasunavailableintheNorth.Sotheyachieved
economicsuperiority.
For
this
reason,
the
Northerners
declared
war
for
the
manumissionoftheslaves!
AmericaEmergesfromIsolation
Theperiodofisolationpassed,anditspoliticsended,whenAmericaenteredthe
FirstWorldWar.ThenitenteredtheSecondWorldWar.Nowitisstartingawar
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inKorea,andathirdworldwarisnotfarbehind!Ireallycannotunderstandhow
thisillusioncameintobeing,giventhisnationshistorywithwarfare.
TheAmericanViewofDeath
PhysicalvitalityissacredtotheAmerican,andweakness,nomatterwhatits
cause,isacrime:acrimethatcannotbeatonedforinanyway,acrimethat
remainsundeservingofcompassionorcare.Thematterofmoralsandrightsare
anillusionintheconscienceoftheAmerican,hecannottasteit.Bestrong,and
youwillhaveeverything.Orbeweakandnoideologycanhelpyou,andthere
willbenoplaceforyouinthegreatrealmofliving.Asforhimwhodies,hehas
committed,naturally,thecrimeofdeath.Helosesallhisrightstocareand
respect!Didhenotdie?
AmericansJoke
About
the
Injured
IwasatGeorgeWashingtonHospitalinthecapitalcity,anditwasevening.
Suddenlytherewassomecommotionofunknownoriginthatdrewmuch
attention.Andthepatientswhowereabletomovebeganleavingtheirbedsand
theirroomsandcomingintothehallwaytotakeacloserlook.Thentheybegan
togathertogetherinquiringaboutthesourceofthisspectacleinthehospitals
usuallyquietlife.Welearnedafterawhilethatoneofthehospitalsemployees
wasinjuredinanelevatoraccidentandwasincriticalcondition,indeed,hewas
in
the
final
round
of
death.
One
of
the
American
patients
went
to
see
for
himself,
andreturnedtotellthosegatheredinthehallwaywhathehadseen.Whenthe
ghostofdeathlingersinaplace,thereisnogreaterreverencetoit,normore
solemnitythaninahospital.ButherewasthisAmericanwhobeganlaughing
andchucklingwhilehemimickedtheappearanceoftheinjured,dyingman,and
thewayhisneckwasstruckbytheelevator,hisheadcrushed,andhistongue
dangledfromhismouthonthesideofhisface!AndIwaitedtoseesignsof
disgustordisapprovalfromthoselistening,butthevastmajorityofthembegan
laughingjoyouslyatthisodiousact.
Laughingbeside
the
Corpse
of
aLoved
One
ForthisreasonIamnotsurprisedwhensomeofmyfriendsrelatewhattheysee
andhearaboutdeathanditsimpactontheAmericanconsciousness.Afriend
oncetoldmethathewasattendingafuneralwhenthebodyoftheheadofthe
householdwaspresentedinaglasscoffinaccordingtoAmericancustomso
thatthefriendsofthedeceasedcouldpassbyhisbodytobidhimthefinal
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farewellandgazeuponhimforthelasttime,oneafteranotherinalongline.
Whentheprocessionended,theyallgatheredinthereceptionroom.Whatstruck
himwasthattherewasnorespectastheybeganmockingandmakingjokes
aboutthedeceasedandotherindividuals.Hiswifeandfamilytookpartinthis,
givingrisetojoyfullaughterinthecoldsilenceofdeath,aroundthebodythat
wasshroudedinburialcloths.
AnAmericanWomanCarouseswhileHerHusbandsCorpseLiesatHome
TheDirectoroftheEgyptianStatescholarshipsinWashingtonwasinvitedtoa
partywithhiswife.Beforetheengagement,hiswifefellill,sohecalledupto
apologizefornotbeingabletoattendbecauseofthisemergency.Butthehosts
repliedthattherewasnoneedtoapologizeashecouldattendthepartyalone,
whichwouldactuallybeagoodstrokeofluck,sinceoneofthewomeninvitedto
theparty
had
lost
her
husband
suddenly
before
the
party.
She
thus
would
have
beenalonethere,soitwashergoodfortunethatshecouldnowhavea
companion!
AnAmericanWomanSpeaksofHerRecentlyDeceasedHusband
IonceenteredthehouseofanAmericanwomanwhowashelpingmewithmy
EnglishduringthefirstperiodofmystayinAmerica.SoIfoundthereoneofher
femalefriends,andtheywerehavingaconversationthatIcaughttheendof.
This
friend
said,
I
was
lucky
because
I
had
taken
out
insurance
on
his
life.
Even
histreatmentcostverylittlebecauseIhadinsuredhimwiththeBlueCross,and
shesmiled.
Thensheexcusedherselfandleft.IremainedwiththewomanofthehouseandI
assumedthatherfriendhadbeentalkingaboutherdog,andIwasamazedthat
shedidnotexhibitanysignsofdistressathisdeath!ButnosoonerhadI
observedthisthanshesaid,withoutmyasking,Shewasspeakingofher
husband.Hediedthreedaysago.
Andit
appeared
to
her
that
Iwas
stunned
that
her
friend
could
speak
this
matteroffactlyaboutherhusbandmerelythreedaysafterhisdeath.Her
seeminglysoundandconvincingexcusewas,Hewasill!Hehadfallensick
morethanthreemonthsbeforehisdeath!
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TheFuneraloftheBirdsinEgypt
Mymemorytookmebacktoascenethathadaveryprofoundemotionaleffect
onme.Indeed,theeffectshavelastedonmymindformanyyears.Ihadinmind
towritedownthisthoughtunderthetitle,TheFuneraloftheBirds.Thiswasa
sceneofagroupofchickensweraisedinourhome.Thechickensgathered
silently,spellboundandshockedaroundachickenthathadbeenslaughtered.It
wasanemotionalsurpriseforeveryonewhohadbeeninthehouse.Asurprise
unexpectedfrombirdsaslowontheevolutionaryscaleasthesechickens.
Indeed,theshockwassogreatthatwedidnotdareslaughteranotherchicken
withinthesightofthisgroupofbirds!
TheSadnessoftheRavensoverTheirDead
Andthe
sight
of
the
ravens
when
one
of
their
own
dies
is
asight
that
many
are
accustomedtoseeing.Itisasightthatishardtodescribewithoutmentioning
thatthesebirdsmustknowsadness,emotion,andkinship!Foragroupof
ravenswillhoverincircles,shriekingandwailing,untiltheycarrythebodyof
thedeceasedoneandflyaway.Allthispointstothegravityofdeathinthe
worldofbirds!
TheDroughtinAmericanLife
The
sanctity
of
death
may
be
a
natural
instinct.
So
it
is
not
the
primitiveness
of
feelingthathaserasedthesanctityofdeathintheAmericansoul.Rather,itisthe
droughtofsentimentalsympathyintheirlives,andthefoundationoftheirlives
uponmonetaryandmaterialmeasures,andsheerphysicalgratification.
AmericansintentionallyderidewhatpeopleintheOldWorldholdsacred,and
theirdesireistocontrastthemselveswiththecustomarywaysofthepeople
there.Otherwise,theAmericanswouldsay,whatmeritdoestheNewWorld
haveovertheOldWorld?
TheFeelingsofAmericanstowardReligionArePrimitive
Andwhatissaidabouttheirfeelingstowarddeathmayalsobesaidabouttheir
feelingstowardreligion.
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ChurcheswithoutLife
ThereisnopeoplewhoenjoysbuildingchurchesmorethantheAmericans.To
theextentthatIoncestayedinatownwithnomorethantenthousand
inhabitants,yetwithinitIfoundovertwentychurches!Andmostofthemdonot
gotochurchonSundaymorningsandevenings,butinsteadongeneralholidays
andholidaysforlocalsaints,whofaroutnumberthesaintsofthecommon
MuslimsinEgypt.Allthisnotwithstandingthereisnoonefurtherthanthe
Americanfromappreciatingthespiritualityofreligionandrespectforits
sacraments,andthereisnothingfartherfromreligionthantheAmericans
thinkingandhisfeelingsandmanners.
ChurchesforCarousalandEnjoyment
Ifthe
church
is
aplace
for
worship
in
the
entire
Christian
world,
in
America
it
is
foreverythingbutworship.Youwillfinditdifficulttodifferentiatebetweenit
andanyotherplace.Theygotochurchforcarousalandenjoyment,or,asthey
callitintheirlanguagefun.Mostwhogotheredosooutofnecessarysocial
tradition,anditisaplaceformeetingandfriendship,andtospendanicetime.
Thisisnotonlythefeelingofthepeople,butitisalsothefeelingofthemenof
thechurchanditsministers.
TheClubsoftheChurchandTheirAttractions
Inmostchurchesthereareclubsthatjointhetwosexes,andeveryminister
attemptstoattracttohischurchasmanypeopleaspossible,especiallysince
thereisatremendouscompetitionbetweenchurchesofdifferentdenominations.
Andforthisreason,eachchurchracestoadvertiseitselfwithlit,coloredsignson
thedoorsandwallstoattractattention,andbypresentingdelightfulprogramsto
attractthepeoplemuchinthesamewayasmerchantsorshowmenoractors.
Andthereisnocompunctionaboutusingthemostbeautifulandgracefulgirlsof
thetown,andengagingtheminsonganddance,andadvertising.
AChurchs
Party
Program
Thisisanexampleofthetextofanadvertisementforachurchpartythatwas
postedinthestudentsunionofoneofthecolleges.
Sunday,October1st,6:00P.M.snacks,magicgames,puzzles,contests,
fun
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Thereisnothingstrangeinthis,fortheministerdoesnotfeelthathisjobisany
differentfromthatofatheatermanager,orthatofamerchant.Successcomes
firstandbeforeeverything,andthemeansarenotimportant,andthissuccess
willreflectonhimwithfineresults:moneyandstature.Themorepeoplethat
joinhischurch,thegreaterishisincome.Likewise,hisrespectandrecognitionis
elevatedinthecommunity,becausetheAmericanbyhisnatureistakenwith
grandeurinsizeandnumbers.Itishisfirstmeasureofthewayhefeelsand
evaluates.
AHotNightattheChurch
OnenightIwasinachurchinGreeley,Colorado,IwasamemberinitsclubasI
wasamemberinanumberofchurchclubsineveryareathatIhadlivedin,for
thisis
an
important
facet
of
American
society,
deserving
close
study
from
the
inside.Afterthereligiousserviceinthechurchended,boysandgirlsfrom
amongthemembersbegantakingpartinchants,whileothersprayed,andwe
proceededthroughasidedoorontothedancefloorthatwasconnectedtothe
prayerhallbyadoor,andtheFatherjumpedtohisdeskandeveryboytookthe
handofagirl,includingthosewhowerechanting.
Thedancefloorwaslitwithredandyellowandbluelights,andwithafewwhite
lamps.Andtheydancedtothetunesofthegramophone,andthedancefloor
was
replete
with
tapping
feet,
enticing
legs,
arms
wrapped
around
waists,
lips
pressedtolips,andchestspressedtochests.Theatmospherewasfullofdesire.
Whentheministerdescendedfromhisoffice,helookedintentlyaroundthe
placeandatthepeople,andencouragedthosemenandwomenstillsittingwho
hadnotyetparticipatedinthiscircustoriseandtakepart.Andashenoticed
thatthewhitelampsspoiledtheromantic,dreamyatmosphere,hesetabout,
withthattypicalAmericaneleganceandlevity,dimmingthemonebyone,all
thewhilebeingcarefulnottointerferewiththedance,orbumpintoanycouples
dancingonthedancefloor.Andtheplacereallydidappeartobecomemore
romanticandpassionate.Thenheadvancedtothegramophonetochooseasong
thatwould
befit
this
atmosphere
and
encourage
the
males
and
the
females
who
werestillseatedtoparticipate.
AndtheFatherchose.HechoseafamousAmericansongcalledButBaby,Its
ColdOutside,whichiscomposedofadialoguebetweenaboyandagirl
returningfromtheireveningdate.Theboytookthegirltohishomeandkepther
fromleaving.Sheentreatedhimtoletherreturnhome,foritwasgettinglate,
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ButIreturntoEgypt,andIfindthosewhospeakorwriteaboutthechurchin
America,eveniftheyhavenotseenAmericaforamoment,anditsrolein
societalreform,anditsactivitiesinpurifyingtheheartandedifyingthesoul.
ButwhatcanIsay?Strangethingscanhappeninthisworld!ForGodhascreated
allkindsofpeopleandthings.
SexualPrimitivenessinAmerica
TheAmericanisveryprimitiveinhissexuallife,andinhismaritalandfamilial
relationships.ForduringmystudiesoftheHolyBibleIhavecomeacrossaverse
intheOldTestamentthatdealswithGodscreationofmanforthefirsttimeand
itsays:MalesandFemalesHecreatedthem.Icameacrossthisversemany
times,butitneverheldformesonudeandlucidameaningasitdidduringmy
timein
America.
SexandDecadence
Humansocietyhaslongstruggledtobuildandforgesexualmores.Ithas
regulatedtheserelations,emotions,andfeelings,andstruggledagainstthe
coarsenessofsensationandthegloominessofnaturalimpulse,inordertolet
genuinerelationshipsflyabout,andfreeranginglongingssoarhighunfettered,
alongwithallthestrongtiesaroundtheserelationships,inthefeelingsof
individuals,
in
the
life
of
the
family,
and
in
society
at
large.
.
.
.
ThisstrugglewasisolatedfromlifeinAmericaatonce,anditrosedevoidand
destitutefromeverybeautification:(malesandfemales)astheywerecreatedthe
firsttime.Bodytobody,andfemaletomale.Onthebasisofbodilyneedsand
motives,relationshipsarebasedandtiesareestablished.Andfromthemstretch
therulesofbehavior,themoresofsociety,andthetiesoffamiliesand
individuals.
Withthetemptationofthebodyalone,devoidofanycover,strippedofall
modesty,girls
meet
boys,
and
from
the
strength
of
the
body
and
its
muscles
the
boyobtainsthesubmissionofthegirl.Andthehusbandobtainshisrights,and
thoserightsdisappearcompletelythedaythatthehusbandfailstoperformfor
onereasonoranother.
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TheAppearanceoftheAmericanTemptress
TheAmericangirliswellacquaintedwithherbodysseductivecapacity.She
knowsitliesintheface,andinexpressiveeyes,andthirstylips.Sheknows
seductivenessliesintheroundbreasts,thefullbuttocks,andintheshapely
thighs,sleeklegsandsheshowsallthisanddoesnothideit.Sheknowsitliesin
clothes:inbrightcolorsthatawakenprimalsensations,andindesignsthatreveal
thetemptationsofthebodyandinAmericangirlsthesearesometimeslive,
screamingtemptations!Thensheaddstoallthisthefetchinglaugh,thenaked
looks,andtheboldmoves,andshedoesnotignorethisforonemomentorforget
it!
TheAmericanDreamBoy
TheAmerican
boy
knows
well
that
the
wide,
strapping
chest
is
the
lure
that
cannotbedeniedbyanygirl,andthatherdreamsdonotfalluponanyoneas
muchastheyfalluponthecowboys.Ayoungnurseinahospitaltoldmevery
frankly,Iwantnothinginthemanofmydreamsbuttwostrongarmshecan
reallysqueezemewith!AndLookmagazineranasurveyofseveralgirlsof
differentagesandlevelsofeducationandclassesaroundwhatitcalledox
musclesandtheoverwhelmingmajoritydeclaredtheiropenattractionforboys
withoxmuscles!
Sex
and
the
Materialism
of
Life
in
America
Thereisnodoubtthatthisfascinationwithphysicalstrengthisindicativeofthe
vitalityofthisnationanditssensuality.Ifthisfascinationweretamedand
sublimated,itcouldleadtothecreationofagreatartthatwouldremovethe
gloominessoflifeandinfusethehumanspiritwithfragrance,andbindthesexes
withtieshigherandmorebeautifulthanthetiesofthirstybodies,burning
passions,andeyepoppingsexthatbeckonsthroughthelimbs,andisembodied
inmotionsandgestures.ButthenatureoflifeinAmerica,andthecircumstance
thatconditionedtheformationoftheAmericanpeople,doesnothelpwithanyof
this,instead
it
resists
and
fights
it.
TheMatterofSexisBiologicalinAmerica
Thewordbashfulhasbecomeadirty,disparagingwordinAmerica.For
Americanssexualrelationshavealwaysconformedtothelawsofthejungle.
SomeAmericansphilosophizeaboutit,suchasoneofthegirlsintheuniversity
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whooncetoldme:Thematterofsexisnotamoralmatteratall.Itisbuta
questionofbiology,andwhenwelookatitfromthisangleitbecomesclearthat
theuseofwordslikemoralandimmoral,goodandbad,areirrelevant.Itmay
appearthatAmericansarenotonlystrange,butamusing.Someofthemexcuse
themselvesandjustifyitasonedoctoralstudentdid:Wehereareoccupiedwith
work,andwedonotwishtobehinderedfromit,andwedonothavetimeto
investinfeelings.Moreover,bookstryournerves,sowewishtodoawaywith
thisworrytofreeourselvesforworkwithrelaxednerves!
TheAmericansNerves
Ididnotwishtocommentonthesestatementsatthetime,formyconcernwas
withknowinghowtheythoughtaboutthematter.Butthereisnothingin
Americathatindicatesrelaxednerves,despiteeveryeasymeansoflife,andallits
guaranteedassurances,
and
every
ease
and
means
of
expending
extra
energy.
TheAmericansAreFreeofHumanity
Someofthemcallthisfreedomfromhypocrisyandfacingthetruth,butthereisa
fundamentaldifferencebetweenfreedomfromhypocrisyandfreedomfromthe
componentsofhumanitythatseparatemanfromanimals.Humanityinitslong
historywasnotunawarethatsexualdesiresarenormalandtrue,butit,
consciouslyorunconsciously,struggledtocontrolthem,escapingitsslaveryand
distancing
themselves
from
its
primitive
levels.
Yes,itisaneed,sowhydoeshumanityshyawayfromrealizingitsneed?
Becauseitfeelsinherentlythatcontrollingsuchdesiresistestamenttofreedom
fromslaveryandtogoingbeyondthefirstrungsofhumanitysevolution,and
thatareturntothefreedomofthejungleisagrippingslaveryandarelapseto
thefirstprimitivelevels.
ThirdEpisode
ArtisticPrimitivenessinAmerica
TheAmericanisprimitiveinhisartistictastes,whetherinhisjudgmentofartor
hisownartisticworks.Jazzmusicishismusicofchoice.Itisthismusicthatthe
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savagebushmencreatedtosatisfytheirprimitivedesires,andtheirdesirefor
noiseontheonehand,andtheabundanceofanimalnoisesontheother.The
Americansenjoymentofjazzdoesnotfullybeginuntilhecouplesitwith
singinglikecrudescreaming.Andthelouderthenoiseofthevoicesand
instruments,untilitringsintheearstoanunbearabledegree,thegreaterthe
appreciationofthelisteners.Thevoicesofappreciationareraised,andpalmsare
raisedincontinuousclappingthatcoulddeafenears.
AmericansandtheOpera
ButtheAmericanpeopleenjoytheopera,areattractedtothesymphony,crowd
theballet,andwatchclassictheatricalperformancestotheextentthatonemight
notfindaspareseat.Ithappensthatsometimesyoumaynotfindaplaceunless
youreserveitdaysinadvance,payinghighpricesfortheseshows.
FilmsandMoreFilms
Thecinemaistheartofthemasses,foritistheartofskill,polish,craft,and
accuracy.Itisbyitsnaturemoredependentuponskillthanitisuponartistic
spirit,youmaybeamazedattheAmericangeniusinit.DespitethistheEnglish,
French,Russian,andItalianfilmsremainmoreelegantthanAmericanfilms,
eventhoughtheyarelessskillfullycrafted.
The
great
majority
of
American
films
clearly
possess
simplistic
story
lines
and
primitiveemotions.Theyaregenerallypolicefilmsandcowboyfilms.Elevated,
brilliantfilmslikeGonewiththeWind,WutheringHeights,Singing
Bernadette,andsoon,areexceptionalinrelationtotherestofAmerican
production,andwhatisseenofAmericanfilmsinEgyptortheArabcountries
doesnotillustratethisproportion,becausemostofthemarefromthefinest,
rarestmoviesofAmerica.ThosewhovisitthetheaterinAmericaunderstandthis
smallproportionofqualityfilms.
NaturalSceneryinAmericanArt
ThereisanotherartinwhichtheAmericanshavedistinguishedthemselves,forit
ismoreamatterofskillinproductionthanofauthentic,elevatedart:itistheart
ofrepresentingnaturalscenerywithcolors,asifitwereanaccurate,true
photograph.Itisinthemuseumsofmarineandlandbiology,creaturesortheir
preservedbodiesaredisplayedintheirnaturalhabitatsasiftheywerereal,and
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theartistsbrilliantportrayalofthesehabitats,combinedwithartisticdesignof
thescenes,surpassesthelimitsofamazement.
PrimitivenessinTastesandPreferences
Nowweleavetheseelevatedlevelsofartandfeelingstodescendtothecolorsof
clothingandthetasteoffood.
TheClothesoftheAmericans
Primitivenessoftastescannotbeillustratedmoreclearlythaninthesescreaming,
loudcolors,andelaboratelargepatterns,alionoratigerleapingonthechest,an
elephantorwildoxprostratingontheback,anakedgirlstretchedonanecktie
fromtoptobottom,orapalmtreethatclimbsupitfrombottomtotop.
Sooftenourcommentatorsdospeakofholidayclothinginthevillages,orthe
weddingdressesinthevillage,withtheirgarish,primitivecolorsthatdonot
matchexceptforthefactthattheyarethemostexplosiveofcolors.Iwishthese
commentatorscouldseetheshirtsoftheboysinAmerica,letalonetheclothesof
thegirls!Andaslongascommentatorsspeakoftattoosonthegypsies,orin
CentralAfrica,IwishtheycouldseethearmsoftheAmericanyouthsandtheir
chestsandbacks,defiledwithgreenlines,snakesandserpents,nakedgirls,and
treesandjungles.RememberthisishappeninginmodernAmerica,intheNew
World,
in
the
new
universe.
TheFoodoftheAmericans
Asfortheirfood,thattooisverystrange.Youwillattractattention,andcause
disbelief,ifyourequestanothercubeofsugarforthecupofcoffeeorteathatyou
drinkinAmerica.Sugarisreservedforpicklesandsalads,whilesalt,mygood
sir,issavedforapplesandwatermelons.
Onyourplateyouwillfindcombinedapieceofsaltedmeat,someboiledcorn,
someboiled
peas,
and
some
sweet
jam.
And
on
top
of
all
this
is
what
Americans
callgravy,whichiscomposedsometimesoffat,vinegar,flour,broth,apples,salt
andpepper,andsugar,andwater.
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SayyidQutbMakesFunoftheAmericans
WewereatthetableinoneofthecafeteriasoftheUniversity,whenIsawsome
Americansputtingsaltontheirwatermelon.AndIwaspreparedtoseethese
strangefadsandalsotoplayjokesonthemfromtimetotime.AndIsaid,faking
innocence,Iseeyousprinklingsaltonthewatermelon.Oneofthemsaid,Yes!
DontyoudothesameinEgypt?Isaid,No!Wesprinklepepper!Asurprised
andcuriousgirlsaid,Howwouldthattaste?Isaid,Youcantryforyourself!
Shetasteditandsaidapprovingly,Itstasty!andsodidalltheothers.
Onanotherdayinwhichwatermelonwasserved,andmostofthesamepeople
wereatthetable,IsaidSomeofusinEgyptusesugarattimesinsteadof
pepper.Oneofthemtrieditandsaid,Howtasty!andsodidalltheothers.
TheAmerican
Haircut
Insummary,anythingthatrequiresatouchofeleganceisnotfortheAmerican,
evenhaircuts!FortherewasnotoneinstanceinwhichIhadahaircuttherewhen
Ididnotreturnhometoevenwithmyownhandswhatthebarberhadwrought,
andfixwhatthebarberhadruinedwithhisawfultaste.
AmericasRoleintheWorld
America
has
a
principal
role
in
this
world,
in
the
realm
of
practical
matters
and
scientificresearch,andinthefieldoforganization,improvement,production,
andmanagement.AllthatrequiresmindpowerandmusclearewhereAmerican
geniusshines,andallthatrequiresspiritandemotionarewhereAmerican
naivetandprimitivenessbecomeapparent.
ForhumanitytobeabletobenefitfromAmericangeniustheymustaddgreat
strengthtotheAmericanstrength.Buthumanitymakesthegravestoferrorsand
riskslosingitsaccountofmorals,ifitmakesAmericaitsexampleinfeelingsand
manners.
OftheVirtuesofAmerica
AllthisdoesnotmeanthatAmericansareanationdevoidofvirtue,orelse,what
wouldhaveenabledthemtolive?Rather,itmeansthatAmericasvirtuesarethe
virtuesofproductionandorganization,andnotthoseofhumanandsocial
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morals.Americasarethevirtuesofthebrainandthehand,andnotthoseoftaste
andsensibility.
TranslatedbyTarekMasoudandAmmarFakeeh
Takenfrom:AmericainanArabMirror:ImagesofAmericainArabicTravelLiterature.
ashf ul Shubuhat Publications