Contemporary Political Ethics Perspective of Fî Zhilâl Al-Qur'ân: A Study of Thematic Interpretation of Sayyid Quthb's Thought

Abstract

This study is motivated by the reality of contemporary political life, which remains marked by ethical deviations such as corruption, collusion, nepotism, abuse of power, legal manipulation, and betrayal of public trust. These phenomena indicate that political problems are not merely systemic or institutional but are rooted in a moral and spiritual crisis in the management of power. This study aims to analyze the construction of contemporary political ethics based on Sayyid Qutb’s interpretation in Fî Zhilâl al-Qur’ân. The study employs a qualitative library-research method with a thematic exegetical approach (tafsîr mawdûʿî) combined with a study of an individual exegete’s thought. The primary data sources are the Qur’an and Fî Zhilâl al-Qur’ân, while secondary sources include other exegetical works, books, and relevant scholarly articles. The findings show that the Qur’anic construction of political ethics according to Sayyid Qutb rests on monotheism (tawhid), trust (amânah), justice, consultation (shûrâ), equality, and social responsibility. QS. An-Nisa 4:58–59 affirms trust and justice as the foundation of power; QS. Ali Imran 3:159 affirms consultation as a leadership ethic that prevents authoritarianism; QS. Ali Imran 3:161 on the prohibition of ghulûl shows that embezzling public property constitutes a betrayal of trust; and QS. An-Nahl 16:90 affirms justice and the prohibition of tyranny as basic principles of socio-political life. According to Qutb, political deviation arises when power is severed from monotheistic values and moral responsibility; its remedy therefore requires strengthening monotheism, upholding justice, safeguarding trust, preventing corruption, reinforcing consultation, and enjoining good while forbidding wrong as a form of social control. Fî Zhilâl al-Qur’ân thus offers a construction of Islamic political ethics that is not merely normative-doctrinal but also critically oriented toward the reform of contemporary political practice.