Wahhabism

Wahhabism
Alex Sergeev (www.asergeev.com) · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Name	Wahhabism
Founder	Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab
Founded date	18th century
Founded place	Najd, Arabian Peninsula
Key people	Muhammad ibn Saud, Abdulaziz Ibn Saud

Wahhabism is a religious reform movement within Sunni Islam, originating in the central region of Najd in the 18th-century Arabian Peninsula. It is characterized by its strict adherence to the principle of Tawhid (monotheism) and a call to return to the practices of the Salaf, the early generations of Muslims. The movement formed a pivotal alliance with the House of Saud, providing the ideological foundation for the creation of the modern state of Saudi Arabia. Its doctrines have exerted significant influence on global Islamic thought and politics, often generating substantial debate and controversy.

Origins and founder

The movement was founded by the Islamic scholar and theologian Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab in the mid-18th century. Born in Uyaynah in the Najd region, he was influenced by the writings of earlier scholars like Ibn Taymiyyah and his student Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya. Ibn Abd al-Wahhab preached against practices he considered innovations and polytheistic, prevalent in his time, such as the veneration of saints and visiting tombs. His teachings found a crucial political and military partner in Muhammad ibn Saud, the emir of Diriyah, with whom he formed a pact in 1744. This alliance, sealed by marriage, established a pattern where the Al Saud family provided political authority and protection, while the Al ash-Sheikh family, descendants of Ibn Abd al-Wahhab, provided religious legitimacy and judicial oversight.

Core beliefs and doctrines

Central to its doctrine is an uncompromising emphasis on absolute monotheism, rejecting any intermediary between God and the believer. It advocates a literalist interpretation of the Quran and the Hadith, dismissing later scholarly traditions and legal schools if they contradict these primary sources. The movement strongly opposes practices it deems idolatrous, including the construction of tombs over graves, celebrating the Mawlid, and seeking intercession through saints. It promotes a puritanical social code, enforcing strict gender segregation and modest dress. The concept of Takfir (declaring another Muslim an unbeliever) is applied to those who reject its core tenets, which has historically justified military campaigns against other Muslim communities.

Historical development and spread

The first Emirate of Diriyah, established by the Al Saud-Wahhabi alliance, expanded rapidly but was destroyed by the Ottoman Empire's Egyptian forces under Muhammad Ali of Egypt in the Ottoman–Saudi War. The second state, the Emirate of Nejd, was later conquered by the Al Rashid of Ha'il. The modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was ultimately founded by Abdulaziz Ibn Saud, who, with the support of the Ikhwan militias, consolidated control over much of the peninsula by 1932. The discovery of oil and the subsequent wealth of Saudi Arabia, managed by Aramco, provided immense resources for propagating its interpretation of Islam globally. This was achieved through funding mosques, universities like the Islamic University of Medina, and organizations such as the Muslim World League and the World Assembly of Muslim Youth.

Relationship with other Islamic movements

Wahhabism is often considered a precursor or a major component of modern Salafism, with both sharing a call to return to the practices of the Salaf. However, it maintains a distinct tradition and institutional structure within Saudi Arabia. It has historically clashed with Shia Islam, particularly during the early conquests of the Arabian Peninsula and in modern tensions with Iran. Its relationship with other Sunni movements like the Muslim Brotherhood has been complex, involving periods of cooperation and intense rivalry, especially over political activism. The movement's influence is evident in the ideology of groups like the Taliban and early Al-Qaeda, though the Saudi state has frequently disavowed these connections.

Political and social influence

Within Saudi Arabia, it is the dominant religious force, intertwined with the state through the Hanbali school of jurisprudence and enforced by the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice. Its norms shape all aspects of Saudi law and society, including the education system and the judiciary. Internationally, Saudi patronage has shaped Islamic practice from South Asia to West Africa and among Muslim communities in Europe and North America. The movement's financial and ideological support was significant during the Soviet–Afghan War, bolstering the Mujahideen. Its social conservatism is reflected in strict codes of conduct, often enforced by religious police, and has been a point of contention during events like the Hajj.

Criticism and controversy

The movement has been widely criticized by many Muslim scholars from traditions like Sufism and mainstream Sunni Islam, who accuse it of excommunicating other Muslims and fostering intolerance. Figures like the Grand Mufti of Al-Azhar have denounced its interpretations. Its strict doctrines have been linked to the suppression of cultural heritage, including the destruction of historical sites. Western governments and human rights organizations have criticized its social restrictions, particularly regarding women's rights and religious freedom. Furthermore, critics argue that its exportation has contributed to sectarian violence and provided an ideological framework for extremist groups, despite official Saudi efforts to combat terrorism through initiatives like the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology.