Kashf ul Shubuhat Publications

TheAmericaIHaveSeen:
IntheScaleofHumanValues(1951)
BySayyidQutbashShaheed

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
(AmericafromtheInsidethroughtheEyesofSayyidQutb).Thetitlepagehasa
drawingoftheAmericanflagshownpartlyfoldedwithabloodstained,black
stripedflagbeneathit.Americamayappeartobeonething,butinsideitis
somethingelsetotally.

FirstEpisode

America:LocationandPrivilege

America,theNewWorld,isthatvast,farflungworldthatoccupiesintheminds
eyemorespacethanitreallydoesonthisearth.Imaginationsanddreams
glimmeronthisworldwithillusionandwonder.Theheartsofmenfalluponit
fromeveryvalley,menfromeveryraceandcolor,everywalkoflife,andevery
sectandcreed.

America,thevastexpansesoflandthatstretchfromtheAtlantictothePacific.
Americaistheinexhaustiblematerialresources,strengthandmanpower.Itisthe
hugefactories,unequaledinallofcivilization.Itistheawesome,incalculable
yields,theubiquitousinstitutes,laboratories,andmuseums.Americangeniusin
managementandorganizationevokeswonderandadmiration.Americas
bountyandprosperityevokesthedreamsofthePromisedLand.Thebeautythat
ismanifestedinitslandscape,inthefacesandphysiquesofitspeopleis
spellbinding.Americaconjuresuppleasuresthatacknowledgenolimitormoral
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
feelingsandbehavior,throughmansestimationoflifeandthings.

Asfortheinventionoftools,thewieldingofpowers,orthemakingofobjects,
thesethingsareinandofthemselvesweightlessinthescaleofhumanvalues.
Theyservemerelyasindicatorsofanotherfundamentalvalue,thatistheextent
towhichthehumanelementofmaniselevated,howfarhisstepshavetaken
himfromtheworldofthingsandtheworldofanimalsandwhathasbeenadded
tohishumanaccountofwealthandreflectionsonlife.

So,inhisfeelingsforthislife,thisfundamentalvalueistheplaceofcomparison
andbalancebetweenonecivilizationandanotherandonephilosophyand
another.Moreover,itisthelastingaccountandisrelevanttofuturecivilizations
whereastoolsbreakdownandobjectsperish,onlytobereplacedbynewertools
andobjectsfromonemomenttoanotheranywhereonthisearth.

TheFieldofAmericanInnovation

ItappearsthatallAmericaningenuityisconcentratedinthefieldofworkand
production,somuchsothatnoabilityremainstoadvanceinthefieldofhuman
values.Americasproductivityisunmatchedbyanyothernation.Ithas
miraculouslyelevatedlifetolevelsthatcannotbebelieved.Butmancannot
maintainhisbalancebeforethemachineandrisksbecomingamachinehimself.
Heisunabletoshouldertheburdenofexhaustingworkandforgeaheadonthe
pathofhumanity,heunleashestheanimalwithin.

America:ThePeakofAdvancementandtheDepthofPrimitiveness

TheresearcherofAmericanlifewillstandatfirstpuzzledbeforeawondrous
phenomenon,aphenomenonthatexistsnowhereelseonearth.Itisthecaseofa
peoplewhohavereachedthepeakofgrowthandelevationintheworldof
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.Andwhiletheseprinciplesandvaluesmayormaynothavebeen
fulfilledindailylife,atleasttheyfoundechoesintheconscienceandinfeelings.
Therewashopeoffulfillmentbecausethemerepresenceoftheseprinciplesand
valuesintheabstractworldwasagreatstepformankindonthepathto
humanity,andaluminousbeamofhopefortheireventualrealizationindaily
life.

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
excavatednordepleted.ThereremainsfortheAmericanthecontinuationofhis
firstconstructioneffort,inspiteofhishavingachievedthepeakoforganization
andproduction.

ThePsychologicalStateoftheFirstAmericans

Andwewoulddowellnottoforgetthepsychologicalstatethatwaveafterwave,
andgenerationaftergenerationofAmericansbroughttothisland.Forthey
broughtablendofdiscontentwiththelifeoftheOldWorldandthedesirefor
freedomfromitsrigidtraditionswhethertheywereonerous,corrupttraditions
orsoundandnecessaryones.Thispsychologicalstatespringsfromanenduring
desireforwealthbyanymeans,andforthepossessionofthelargestpossible
shareofpleasuresandcompensationfortheeffortexpendedtoacquirewealth.

TheOriginoftheAmericans

Andwewoulddowellalsonottoforgetthesocialandmentalstateofthe
majorityofthesefirstwavesofimmigrantswhoformedtheseedsofthisnew
nation.Forthesewaveswerecomposedofgroupsofadventurers,andgroupsof
criminals.Theadventurerscameseekingwealth,pleasure,andadventure,while
thecriminalswerebroughttothislandfromthelandsoftheBritishEmpireas
laborforconstructionandproduction.

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
Americanspiritandinspireabeliefinthemajestyofnatureandthatwhichis
beyondnature,openingfortheAmericanspiritawindowonthingsthatare
morethanmatterandtheworldofmatter.

TheSecretoftheDeformedAmericanCharacter

However,thisamazementvanisheswhenoneremembersthatmixtureofthe
earlyAmericanpilgrimsandtheirsurroundingconditions.Theytacklednature
withtheweaponsofscienceandthestrengthofthemuscle,sonothingexisted
withinthembesidesthecrudepowerofthemindandtheoverwhelminglustfor
thesensualpleasure.Nowindowstotheworldofthespiritortheheartortender
sentimentwereopenedtotheAmericansastheywereopenedtothefirst
humans.Agreatdealofthisworldofspirit,heart,andtendersentimentwas
preservedbythefirsthumans,andmuchofthiscontinuedtobepreservedeven
intheageofscience,andaddedtotheaccountofhumanvaluesthatendured
throughtime.

Andwhenhumanityclosesthewindowstofaithinreligion,faithinart,andfaith
inspiritualvaluesaltogether,thereremainsnooutletforitsenergytobe
expendedexceptintherealmofappliedscienceandlabor,ortobedissipatedin
sensualpleasure.AndthisiswhereAmericahasendedupafterfourhundred
years.

SecondEpisode

TheAmericanPrimitiveness

Despitehisadvancedknowledgeandsuperlativework,theAmericanappearsto
besoprimitiveinhisoutlookonlifeanditshumanitarianaspectsthatitis
puzzlingtotheobserver.ThisclearcontradictionmaymaketheAmericans
appearasaneccentricnationintheeyesofforeignerswhoobservethelifeofthis
nationfromafarandareatalosstoreconcilesuchanindustrialcivilization,with
itspreciseorderandorganizationoflabor,withsuchprimitivenessoffeeling
andmanner,aprimitivenessthatremindsoneofthedayswhenmanlivedin
junglesandcaves!

PrimitivenessinAthletics

ItseemstheAmericanisprimitiveinhisappreciationofmuscularstrengthand
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,orwatch
boxingmatchesorbloody,monstrouswrestlingmatches...isoneofanimal
excitementbornoftheirloveforhardcoreviolence.Theirlackofattentiontothe
rulesandsportsmanshiptotheextentthattheyareenthralledwiththeflowing
bloodandcrushedlimbs,cryingloudly,everyonecheeringforhisteam.Destroy
hishead.Crushhisribs.Beathimtoapulp.Thisspectacleleavesnoroomfor
doubtastotheprimitivenessofthefeelingsofthosewhoareenamoredwith
muscularstrengthanddesireit.

AmericanLoveforPeaceAnIllusion

AndwiththisprimitivespirittheAmericanpeoplefollowthestrugglesof
groupsandparties,andthestrugglesofnationsandpeoples.Icannotfathom
howthisstrangeillusionthatAmericanslovepeacetookrootintheworld,
especiallyintheEast.

TheAmericanandtheHungerforWar

Indeed,theAmericanisbyhisverynatureawarriorwholovescombat.Theidea
ofcombatandwarrunsstronginhisblood.Itisevidentinhismannerandthisis
whatagreeswithhishistory.Forthefirstwavesofpeoplelefttheirhomelands,
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.Forthisreason,theNorthernersdeclaredwarforthe
manumissionoftheslaves!

AmericaEmergesfromIsolation

Theperiodofisolationpassed,anditspoliticsended,whenAmericaenteredthe
FirstWorldWar.ThenitenteredtheSecondWorldWar.Nowitisstartingawar
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?

AmericansJokeAbouttheInjured

IwasatGeorgeWashingtonHospitalinthecapitalcity,anditwasevening.
Suddenlytherewassomecommotionofunknownoriginthatdrewmuch
attention.Andthepatientswhowereabletomovebeganleavingtheirbedsand
theirroomsandcomingintothehallwaytotakeacloserlook.Thentheybegan
togathertogetherinquiringaboutthesourceofthisspectacleinthehospitals
usuallyquietlife.Welearnedafterawhilethatoneofthehospitalsemployees
wasinjuredinanelevatoraccidentandwasincriticalcondition,indeed,hewas
inthefinalroundofdeath.OneoftheAmericanpatientswenttoseeforhimself,
andreturnedtotellthosegatheredinthehallwaywhathehadseen.Whenthe
ghostofdeathlingersinaplace,thereisnogreaterreverencetoit,normore
solemnitythaninahospital.ButherewasthisAmericanwhobeganlaughing
andchucklingwhilehemimickedtheappearanceoftheinjured,dyingman,and
thewayhisneckwasstruckbytheelevator,hisheadcrushed,andhistongue
dangledfromhismouthonthesideofhisface!AndIwaitedtoseesignsof
disgustordisapprovalfromthoselistening,butthevastmajorityofthembegan
laughingjoyouslyatthisodiousact.

LaughingbesidetheCorpseofaLovedOne

ForthisreasonIamnotsurprisedwhensomeofmyfriendsrelatewhattheysee
andhearaboutdeathanditsimpactontheAmericanconsciousness.Afriend
oncetoldmethathewasattendingafuneralwhenthebodyoftheheadofthe
householdwaspresentedinaglasscoffinaccordingtoAmericancustomso
thatthefriendsofthedeceasedcouldpassbyhisbodytobidhimthefinal
farewellandgazeuponhimforthelasttime,oneafteranotherinalongline.
Whentheprocessionended,theyallgatheredinthereceptionroom.Whatstruck
himwasthattherewasnorespectastheybeganmockingandmakingjokes
aboutthedeceasedandotherindividuals.Hiswifeandfamilytookpartinthis,
givingrisetojoyfullaughterinthecoldsilenceofdeath,aroundthebodythat
wasshroudedinburialcloths.

AnAmericanWomanCarouseswhileHerHusbandsCorpseLiesatHome

TheDirectoroftheEgyptianStatescholarshipsinWashingtonwasinvitedtoa
partywithhiswife.Beforetheengagement,hiswifefellill,sohecalledupto
apologizefornotbeingabletoattendbecauseofthisemergency.Butthehosts
repliedthattherewasnoneedtoapologizeashecouldattendthepartyalone,
whichwouldactuallybeagoodstrokeofluck,sinceoneofthewomeninvitedto
thepartyhadlostherhusbandsuddenlybeforetheparty.Shethuswouldhave
beenalonethere,soitwashergoodfortunethatshecouldnowhavea
companion!

AnAmericanWomanSpeaksofHerRecentlyDeceasedHusband

IonceenteredthehouseofanAmericanwomanwhowashelpingmewithmy
EnglishduringthefirstperiodofmystayinAmerica.SoIfoundthereoneofher
femalefriends,andtheywerehavingaconversationthatIcaughttheendof.
Thisfriendsaid,IwasluckybecauseIhadtakenoutinsuranceonhislife.Even
histreatmentcostverylittlebecauseIhadinsuredhimwiththeBlueCross,and
shesmiled.

Thensheexcusedherselfandleft.IremainedwiththewomanofthehouseandI
assumedthatherfriendhadbeentalkingaboutherdog,andIwasamazedthat
shedidnotexhibitanysignsofdistressathisdeath!ButnosoonerhadI
observedthisthanshesaid,withoutmyasking,Shewasspeakingofher
husband.Hediedthreedaysago.

AnditappearedtoherthatIwasstunnedthatherfriendcouldspeakthis
matteroffactlyaboutherhusbandmerelythreedaysafterhisdeath.Her
seeminglysoundandconvincingexcusewas,Hewasill!Hehadfallensick
morethanthreemonthsbeforehisdeath!

TheFuneraloftheBirdsinEgypt

Mymemorytookmebacktoascenethathadaveryprofoundemotionaleffect
onme.Indeed,theeffectshavelastedonmymindformanyyears.Ihadinmind
towritedownthisthoughtunderthetitle,TheFuneraloftheBirds.Thiswasa
sceneofagroupofchickensweraisedinourhome.Thechickensgathered
silently,spellboundandshockedaroundachickenthathadbeenslaughtered.It
wasanemotionalsurpriseforeveryonewhohadbeeninthehouse.Asurprise
unexpectedfrombirdsaslowontheevolutionaryscaleasthesechickens.
Indeed,theshockwassogreatthatwedidnotdareslaughteranotherchicken
withinthesightofthisgroupofbirds!

TheSadnessoftheRavensoverTheirDead

Andthesightoftheravenswhenoneoftheirowndiesisasightthatmanyare
accustomedtoseeing.Itisasightthatishardtodescribewithoutmentioning
thatthesebirdsmustknowsadness,emotion,andkinship!Foragroupof
ravenswillhoverincircles,shriekingandwailing,untiltheycarrythebodyof
thedeceasedoneandflyaway.Allthispointstothegravityofdeathinthe
worldofbirds!

TheDroughtinAmericanLife

Thesanctityofdeathmaybeanaturalinstinct.Soitisnottheprimitivenessof
feelingthathaserasedthesanctityofdeathintheAmericansoul.Rather,itisthe
droughtofsentimentalsympathyintheirlives,andthefoundationoftheirlives
uponmonetaryandmaterialmeasures,andsheerphysicalgratification.
AmericansintentionallyderidewhatpeopleintheOldWorldholdsacred,and
theirdesireistocontrastthemselveswiththecustomarywaysofthepeople
there.Otherwise,theAmericanswouldsay,whatmeritdoestheNewWorld
haveovertheOldWorld?

TheFeelingsofAmericanstowardReligionArePrimitive

Andwhatissaidabouttheirfeelingstowarddeathmayalsobesaidabouttheir
feelingstowardreligion.

ChurcheswithoutLife

ThereisnopeoplewhoenjoysbuildingchurchesmorethantheAmericans.To
theextentthatIoncestayedinatownwithnomorethantenthousand
inhabitants,yetwithinitIfoundovertwentychurches!Andmostofthemdonot
gotochurchonSundaymorningsandevenings,butinsteadongeneralholidays
andholidaysforlocalsaints,whofaroutnumberthesaintsofthecommon
MuslimsinEgypt.Allthisnotwithstandingthereisnoonefurtherthanthe
Americanfromappreciatingthespiritualityofreligionandrespectforits
sacraments,andthereisnothingfartherfromreligionthantheAmericans
thinkingandhisfeelingsandmanners.

ChurchesforCarousalandEnjoyment

IfthechurchisaplaceforworshipintheentireChristianworld,inAmericaitis
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.

AChurchsPartyProgram

Thisisanexampleofthetextofanadvertisementforachurchpartythatwas
postedinthestudentsunionofoneofthecolleges.

Sunday,October1st,6:00P.M.snacks,magicgames,puzzles,contests,
fun

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
thisisanimportantfacetofAmericansociety,deservingclosestudyfromthe
inside.Afterthereligiousserviceinthechurchended,boysandgirlsfrom
amongthemembersbegantakingpartinchants,whileothersprayed,andwe
proceededthroughasidedoorontothedancefloorthatwasconnectedtothe
prayerhallbyadoor,andtheFatherjumpedtohisdeskandeveryboytookthe
handofagirl,includingthosewhowerechanting.

Thedancefloorwaslitwithredandyellowandbluelights,andwithafewwhite
lamps.Andtheydancedtothetunesofthegramophone,andthedancefloor
wasrepletewithtappingfeet,enticinglegs,armswrappedaroundwaists,lips
pressedtolips,andchestspressedtochests.Theatmospherewasfullofdesire.
Whentheministerdescendedfromhisoffice,helookedintentlyaroundthe
placeandatthepeople,andencouragedthosemenandwomenstillsittingwho
hadnotyetparticipatedinthiscircustoriseandtakepart.Andashenoticed
thatthewhitelampsspoiledtheromantic,dreamyatmosphere,hesetabout,
withthattypicalAmericaneleganceandlevity,dimmingthemonebyone,all
thewhilebeingcarefulnottointerferewiththedance,orbumpintoanycouples
dancingonthedancefloor.Andtheplacereallydidappeartobecomemore
romanticandpassionate.Thenheadvancedtothegramophonetochooseasong
thatwouldbefitthisatmosphereandencouragethemalesandthefemaleswho
werestillseatedtoparticipate.

AndtheFatherchose.HechoseafamousAmericansongcalledButBaby,Its
ColdOutside,whichiscomposedofadialoguebetweenaboyandagirl
returningfromtheireveningdate.Theboytookthegirltohishomeandkepther
fromleaving.Sheentreatedhimtoletherreturnhome,foritwasgettinglate,
andhermotherwaswaitingbuteverytimeshewouldmakeanexcuse,hewould
replytoherwiththisline:butbaby,itscoldoutside!

Andtheministerwaiteduntilhesawpeoplesteppingtotherhythmofthis
movingsong,andheseemedsatisfiedandcontented.Heleftthedancefloorfor
hishome,leavingthemenandthewomentoenjoythisnightinallitspleasure
andinnocence!

TheMinisterandtheHuntressesofMen

AnotherministerspoketoanIraqiwhowasaclosefriendofmine.Theminister
askedhimaboutMary,hisclassmateattheuniversity,Whydoesshenolonger
cometochurch?Theminister,apparently,wouldnotcareifallthewomenwere
absentaslongasMaryattended!TheIraqifriendaskedtheministerabouthis
concernandheanswered:Sheisattractive,andmostoftheboysattendonlyto
seeher!

Iwasspeakingtooneyouth,oneofthoseimmoralArabyouthswhostudyin
AmericawhomwecalledAbualAtahiyaafterthefamousArabpoetofthe
past,andIdonotknowwhetherthisangeredtheoldpoetorpleasedhim,and
hetoldmeofhisgirlfriend,asthereisagirlforeveryboyinAmerica,andhow
shewouldtearherselffromhisarmsattimestogoandsinginthechurch.Ifshe
waslate,shewouldnotbesparedfromtheministersglancesandinsinuations
thatAbualAtahiyaplayedaroleinhertardinessinattendingtheprayer
services.Thiswouldoccurifsheattendedbyherself,withouthim,butifshe
wereabletobringhimalong,shewouldnotbeblamednorfaulted!

ForThem,theEndJustifiestheMeans

Andtheseministerswouldsaytoyou:Butweareunabletoattractthisyouth
byanyothermeans!

Butnoneofthemaskshimself:Whatisthevalueofattractingthemtothe
church,whentheyrushtoitinthisway,andspendtheirtimeinthismanner?Is
churchattendanceagoalinandofitself?Isitnotfortheedificationoffeelings
andmanners?Fromtheministerspointofview,whichwasmadeclearbythe
precedingevents,merelygoingtochurchistheaim.Andthissituationmakes
sensetothosewholiveinAmerica!

ButIreturntoEgypt,andIfindthosewhospeakorwriteaboutthechurchin
America,eveniftheyhavenotseenAmericaforamoment,anditsrolein
societalreform,anditsactivitiesinpurifyingtheheartandedifyingthesoul.

ButwhatcanIsay?Strangethingscanhappeninthisworld!ForGodhascreated
allkindsofpeopleandthings.

SexualPrimitivenessinAmerica

TheAmericanisveryprimitiveinhissexuallife,andinhismaritalandfamilial
relationships.ForduringmystudiesoftheHolyBibleIhavecomeacrossaverse
intheOldTestamentthatdealswithGodscreationofmanforthefirsttimeand
itsays:MalesandFemalesHecreatedthem.Icameacrossthisversemany
times,butitneverheldformesonudeandlucidameaningasitdidduringmy
timeinAmerica.

SexandDecadence

Humansocietyhaslongstruggledtobuildandforgesexualmores.Ithas
regulatedtheserelations,emotions,andfeelings,andstruggledagainstthe
coarsenessofsensationandthegloominessofnaturalimpulse,inordertolet
genuinerelationshipsflyabout,andfreeranginglongingssoarhighunfettered,
alongwithallthestrongtiesaroundtheserelationships,inthefeelingsof
individuals,inthelifeofthefamily,andinsocietyatlarge....

ThisstrugglewasisolatedfromlifeinAmericaatonce,anditrosedevoidand
destitutefromeverybeautification:(malesandfemales)astheywerecreatedthe
firsttime.Bodytobody,andfemaletomale.Onthebasisofbodilyneedsand
motives,relationshipsarebasedandtiesareestablished.Andfromthemstretch
therulesofbehavior,themoresofsociety,andthetiesoffamiliesand
individuals.

Withthetemptationofthebodyalone,devoidofanycover,strippedofall
modesty,girlsmeetboys,andfromthestrengthofthebodyanditsmusclesthe
boyobtainsthesubmissionofthegirl.Andthehusbandobtainshisrights,and
thoserightsdisappearcompletelythedaythatthehusbandfailstoperformfor
onereasonoranother.

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

TheAmericanboyknowswellthatthewide,strappingchestisthelurethat
cannotbedeniedbyanygirl,andthatherdreamsdonotfalluponanyoneas
muchastheyfalluponthecowboys.Ayoungnurseinahospitaltoldmevery
frankly,Iwantnothinginthemanofmydreamsbuttwostrongarmshecan
reallysqueezemewith!AndLookmagazineranasurveyofseveralgirlsof
differentagesandlevelsofeducationandclassesaroundwhatitcalledox
musclesandtheoverwhelmingmajoritydeclaredtheiropenattractionforboys
withoxmuscles!

SexandtheMaterialismofLifeinAmerica

Thereisnodoubtthatthisfascinationwithphysicalstrengthisindicativeofthe
vitalityofthisnationanditssensuality.Ifthisfascinationweretamedand
sublimated,itcouldleadtothecreationofagreatartthatwouldremovethe
gloominessoflifeandinfusethehumanspiritwithfragrance,andbindthesexes
withtieshigherandmorebeautifulthanthetiesofthirstybodies,burning
passions,andeyepoppingsexthatbeckonsthroughthelimbs,andisembodied
inmotionsandgestures.ButthenatureoflifeinAmerica,andthecircumstance
thatconditionedtheformationoftheAmericanpeople,doesnothelpwithanyof
this,insteaditresistsandfightsit.

TheMatterofSexisBiologicalinAmerica

Thewordbashfulhasbecomeadirty,disparagingwordinAmerica.For
Americanssexualrelationshavealwaysconformedtothelawsofthejungle.
SomeAmericansphilosophizeaboutit,suchasoneofthegirlsintheuniversity
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,andeveryeaseandmeansofexpendingextraenergy.

TheAmericansAreFreeofHumanity

Someofthemcallthisfreedomfromhypocrisyandfacingthetruth,butthereisa
fundamentaldifferencebetweenfreedomfromhypocrisyandfreedomfromthe
componentsofhumanitythatseparatemanfromanimals.Humanityinitslong
historywasnotunawarethatsexualdesiresarenormalandtrue,butit,
consciouslyorunconsciously,struggledtocontrolthem,escapingitsslaveryand
distancingthemselvesfromitsprimitivelevels.

Yes,itisaneed,sowhydoeshumanityshyawayfromrealizingitsneed?
Becauseitfeelsinherentlythatcontrollingsuchdesiresistestamenttofreedom
fromslaveryandtogoingbeyondthefirstrungsofhumanitysevolution,and
thatareturntothefreedomofthejungleisagrippingslaveryandarelapseto
thefirstprimitivelevels.

ThirdEpisode

ArtisticPrimitivenessinAmerica

TheAmericanisprimitiveinhisartistictastes,whetherinhisjudgmentofartor
hisownartisticworks.Jazzmusicishismusicofchoice.Itisthismusicthatthe
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.

ThegreatmajorityofAmericanfilmsclearlypossesssimplisticstorylinesand
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
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,inthenewuniverse.

TheFoodoftheAmericans

Asfortheirfood,thattooisverystrange.Youwillattractattention,andcause
disbelief,ifyourequestanothercubeofsugarforthecupofcoffeeorteathatyou
drinkinAmerica.Sugarisreservedforpicklesandsalads,whilesalt,mygood
sir,issavedforapplesandwatermelons.

Onyourplateyouwillfindcombinedapieceofsaltedmeat,someboiledcorn,
someboiledpeas,andsomesweetjam.AndontopofallthisiswhatAmericans
callgravy,whichiscomposedsometimesoffat,vinegar,flour,broth,apples,salt
andpepper,andsugar,andwater.

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.

TheAmericanHaircut

Insummary,anythingthatrequiresatouchofeleganceisnotfortheAmerican,
evenhaircuts!FortherewasnotoneinstanceinwhichIhadahaircuttherewhen
Ididnotreturnhometoevenwithmyownhandswhatthebarberhadwrought,
andfixwhatthebarberhadruinedwithhisawfultaste.

AmericasRoleintheWorld

Americahasaprincipalroleinthisworld,intherealmofpracticalmattersand
scientificresearch,andinthefieldoforganization,improvement,production,
andmanagement.AllthatrequiresmindpowerandmusclearewhereAmerican
geniusshines,andallthatrequiresspiritandemotionarewhereAmerican
naivetandprimitivenessbecomeapparent.

ForhumanitytobeabletobenefitfromAmericangeniustheymustaddgreat
strengthtotheAmericanstrength.Buthumanitymakesthegravestoferrorsand
riskslosingitsaccountofmorals,ifitmakesAmericaitsexampleinfeelingsand
manners.

OftheVirtuesofAmerica

AllthisdoesnotmeanthatAmericansareanationdevoidofvirtue,orelse,what
wouldhaveenabledthemtolive?Rather,itmeansthatAmericasvirtuesarethe
virtuesofproductionandorganization,andnotthoseofhumanandsocial
morals.Americasarethevirtuesofthebrainandthehand,andnotthoseoftaste
andsensibility.

TranslatedbyTarekMasoudandAmmarFakeeh
Takenfrom:AmericainanArabMirror:ImagesofAmericainArabicTravel
Literature.

Kashf ul Shubuhat Publications