🌟 Beyond Beliefs: The Intriguing Chronicles of WAHHĀBĪ (وهابى)
Definition
Wahhābī (وهابى): A reformist Islamic movement founded by Muḥammad ibn ʿAbdu ʾl-Wahhāb in the 18th century. The denomination emphasizes a return to the original teachings and practices of early Islam, advocating for strict monotheism (Tawhid) and repudiating specific traditions, practices, and theological interpretations they deemed as corruptions.
Etymology
The term “Wahhābī” is derived from the founder’s father’s name, ‘Abd al-Wahhāb, though the followers prefer to call themselves “Al-Muwaḥḥidūn” (the Unitarians).
Historical Background
Muḥammad ibn ʿAbdu ʾl-Wahhāb (1703-1792): He was born in Ayīnah in Najd (the present-day Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). Having studied Islamic science under prominent theologians in Mecca, Medina, and Basra, he became concerned with what he saw as deviations from pure Islam. His key theology argued against grave veneration, the use of saints as intermediaries, and other practices he viewed as innovations (Bid‘ah) or superstitions. Teaming up with tribal chief Muhammad ibn Saud, they formed a politico-religious alliance that significantly impacted Arabian and later, worldwide Islam.
Cultural Impact and Differences
Similarities:
- Return to Roots: Like other religious reform movements worldwide, the objective of Wahhabi ideology is to return to an “original” and pure version of the faith.
- Scriptural Emphasis: Similar to Protestant Reformation in Christianity, Wahhabism advocates for the direct interpretation of primary texts (the Qurʿān and Ḥadīth).
Differences:
- Iconoclasm: Historical practices like the destruction of religious shrines and tombs are distinct features.
- Modern Geopolitical Context: Influence over regions such as Saudi Arabia and indirectly around the globe makes Wahhābism distinct in how its followers exert both religious and political influence.
Synonyms
- Ahl-i Ḥadīth: People of Tradition
- Muwaḥḥid (singular), Muwaḥḥidūn (plural): Monotheists or Unitarians
Antonyms
- Sufi: Followers of Islamic mysticism and often the main targets of Wahhabite reforms.
- Shīʿah: Branch of Islam that incorporates many of the practices Wahhābī sought to abolish, such as veneration of saints.
Related Terms and Definitions
- Tawhid: The doctrine of the oneness of God, which is central to Wahhabi teaching.
- Bid‘ah: Any innovation in religious practice not based in the Qur’an or Hadith, strongly opposed by Wahhabis.
- Jihad: Often associated with “religious struggle,” it was a primary means of Wahhabi expansion under militant leaders.
Exciting Facts
- Mecca and Medina Conquests: Wahhabis once controlled Mecca and Medina, enforcing strict Islamic practices by purging customs they considered idolatrous or extraneous.
- Modern Influence: Saudi Arabia, due to its adoption of Wahhabi doctrine, has played a significant role in global Islamic geopolitics via its oil wealth and funding for religious education abroad.
Quotations
Wilfrid Blunt, in “The Future of Islam,” remarks:
“The seed cast by Abd el Wahhab has not been entirely without fruit. Wahhabism has failed politically but remains a significant spiritual force in Islam…”
Recommended Literature for Further Studies
- “Central and Eastern Arabia” by William Gifford Palgrave
- “The Reformer of Islam” by Nancy Um
- “The Future of Islam” by Wilfrid Scawen Blunt
- “A History of the Wahhābī Movement (Ogden S.Goelet Biography)” by Pennacchia Cristina
- Rahman Rosenthal’s Essays, Reflecting on Wahhābīsm (Collection)
Quiz Yourself on WAHHĀBĪ (وهابى)
Farewell with the thought that the quest for understanding enriches the believer, connecting the historical and the spiritual into a tapestry of enlightenment. Always seek knowledge, for it leads the heart closer to truth.
Blessings,
Idris Al-Rashid
October 3, 2023
