The Neglected Duty

The Neglected Duty (Al-Farida Al-Gha'iba) is a manifesto written by Muhammad Abd al-Salam Faraj in the late 1970s. The text gained prominence as a foundational work of militant Islamist ideology and served as a call to action for the Egyptian Islamic Jihad movement. The book presents a series of religious arguments aimed at Muslims, focusing on the concept of jihad as a core Islamic obligation. Faraj uses extensive quotes from the Quran, hadith, and medieval Islamic scholars to build his case for armed resistance against what he views as un-Islamic governance. Drawing on the works of Ibn Taymiyyah, Faraj outlines his views on topics including the role of Islamic law, the legitimacy of rulers, and the responsibilities of Muslims in society. His arguments specifically target the Egyptian state and its relationship with religion. The text stands as a pivotal document in the development of modern militant Islamic thought, connecting medieval Islamic jurisprudence to contemporary political action. Its influence extends beyond its original Egyptian context to impact various movements across the Islamic world.

Readers view The Neglected Duty as a manifesto outlining Faraj's interpretation of jihad as an individual obligation. Muslim scholars and academics make up the primary readership, with most reviews coming from academic journals rather than consumer platforms. What readers note: - Clear articulation of Faraj's theological arguments - Historical context for Islamic militancy - Detailed scriptural references Common criticisms: - Dense academic writing style - Limited availability in English - Narrow focus on specific interpretations The book lacks listings on major retail and review sites like Goodreads and Amazon, with most discussion occurring in academic papers and religious discourse. Library catalogs and scholarly databases contain the majority of reader engagement. No aggregated ratings could be found. Note: Given the book's subject matter and restricted circulation, public reviews are limited. Most analysis comes from scholars and researchers rather than general readers.

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🔹 The book served as a manifesto for Egyptian Islamic Jihad and was used to justify the assassination of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat in 1981 🔹 Muhammad Abd al-Salam Faraj wrote this influential text while working as an electrician in Cairo, distributing it primarily as photocopied pamphlets among his followers 🔹 The Arabic title "Al-Farida Al-Gha'iba" literally means "The Absent Obligation," referring to jihad as a forgotten duty that Muslims must reclaim 🔹 The author argues against both secular government and peaceful Islamic activism, claiming violent jihad is the only legitimate way to establish an Islamic state 🔹 The text heavily influenced modern jihadist movements by reinterpreting Ibn Taymiyyah's medieval fatwa about fighting the Mongols to justify violence against contemporary Muslim rulers