Qutb, took note of the obsession (anti Communism) that was beginning to dominate American politics. Qutb wrote (the year before he came to America): ' Either we shall walk the path of Islam, or we shall walk the path of Communism.' 

He saw Captitalism and Communism, both as attended only the material needs of humanity , leaving the spirit unsatisfied. Only Islam offered a formula for creating a just and godly society (laws, social codes, economic rules and its own method of government). It was a battle between Islam and Materialism.