Sayyid Quṭb's Approach to Christianity

In his Fī Ẓilāl al-Qur’ān, Sayyid Quṭb gives special importance to such Sūras as al-Mā’ida, al-An‘ām, al-Tawba, which deal with the social structure of Islamic community and the relationship between the Muslims and non-Muslims. The verses 29 to 35 of Sūrat al-Tawba are of special importance because of its strong tone towards People of the Book in general and the Christians in particular. He knows the purpose for the Revelation of these seven verses to be devising specified instructions for the relation of the Islamic community with the Jews and Christians and presents an interpretation in this respect. Nevertheless, his viewpoints dealing with the history of Christianity, especially the existence of Christian denominations in Arabia simultaneous with the advent of Islam and the Prophet’s relationship with them as well as the character of Paul and the issue of Gospel as brought up in the Holy Qur’ān, are worth deliberation. Using report-analysis method, the present article seeks to bring up Sayyid Quṭb’s viewpoints in this respect.