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Wahhabism is a movement of Islam founded by Muhammad ibn Abd al Wahhab (1703 - 1792). It is a fundamentalist movement of the Sunni form of Islam and has
become an object of increased interest because it is the major sect of the government and society of oil-rich Saudi Arabia, and claimed to be followed by Osama bin-Laden, who was raised in Saudi Arabia.
The term "Wahhabi"
Followers dislike the term "Wahhabi," which simply means "true" or "pure," as it was historically used by opponents (e.g. the
Ottoman Sultans) as a derogatory term. The term, like all such terms for "isms" in Islam or outside it, derives from a founder, in this case from the honorific bestowed by his
admirers on Muhammad ibn Abd, called "al
Wahhab" in his lifetime (1703 - 1792). Wahhabism, as its adherents point out, follows many other scholars, many of whom lived
centuries prior to Muhammad bin Abd al Wahhab, for Islam has experienced repeated waves of purifying movements. The term "Wahhab"
is derived from "Al-Wahhab": the generous giver, a name of Allah in Islam. Some Wahabbis
take this as an argumentative compliment when faced with Wahabbi as a derogatory term.
Historically, members of this movement call themselves al-Muwahhiddun, or "the monotheists", or al-Ikhwan
(the "brethren"). The name al-Muwahhidun should not be confused with al-Muwahhidun movement and dynasty in 12th century Morocco, the name being the only commonality between them, the theology being different in
many aspects.
At present, they only identify themselves as Muslims, or Sunni Muslims, the subtext
being that there are no "real" Muslims but they.
Texts and sources
Wahhabism follows Islam, so the Quran and the prophetic Hadiths are its basic text. It also uses ideas from the writings of Ibn Abd al-Wahhab, such as the book Kitab
al-Tawhid (Arabic, "Book of Monotheism").
Influencers
Wahhabism is partly based on the 14th century Muslim theologian, scholar
and jurist Ibn Taymiyya (1263 - 1328). The legal school followed is the
Hanbali school of law, which
is often seen as the strictest of the four schools generally recognised by Sunni Muslims, but also the most adherent to Sunnah/Hadith of the prophet.
Theology
Wahhabi theology is almost identical with the Salafi version of Islam, which
advocates a literalist legalistic stance in matters of faith and religious practice. This is in contrast to other Sunni Islam schools of thought, such as the more flexible
Ash'aris.
Tenets
Wahhabism claims to restore Islam from what they see as innovations, superstitions,
deviances, heresies and idolatries in the religion. During the time of Ibn Abdul Wahhab, there were lots of practices that were
contrary to Islamic beliefs, such as:
- Invoking any prophet, saint or angel in prayer, other than God alone (this is considered polytheism)
- Grave worship, whether to saints' graves, or the prophet's grave
- Celebrating annual feasts for dead saints
- Wearing of charms, and believing in their healing power
- Practicing magic, or going to sorcerers or witches seeking healing
- Innovation in matters of religion (e.g. new methods of worship)
- Erecting elaborate monuments over any grave
Ibn Abdul Wahhab sought to purify Islam from such practices with a "back to basics" approach.
Wahhabi teachings are strict, often referred to with reservations as 'puritanical'.
Adherents insist on a literal interpretation of the Qu'ran, not unlike many Christian fundamentalists' approach to interpreting the Bible, and a doctrine of predestination that is no stricter
than traditional Calvinism.
The aim of Wahhabism, to give it its common designation, is the purification of Islam of accumulated practices
perceived by the sect as counter to the strictest interpretation of the Qu'ran and the law of Shariah, which derives its authority from the Qu'ran alone.
As the movement developed, it became more and more exclusive, viewing other Muslims who practice these deviations as
non-Muslims, or even apostates. It seems that tribal desert environment had a
profound effect on the development of the movement, being less tolerant, and less accommodating of varying opinions.
They are unquestionably deemed Fundamentalist, but they themselves
feel that a return to the pure and fundamental tenets of the religion is the ideal.
Wahhabism has sought to completely dominate traditional Sunni Islam.
Related movements
Closely related to the Wahhabi movement is the Deobandi movement originating
from India and Pakistan. Both are Salafi in matters of theology, but the Deobandis
follow the rulings of the Hanafi school of
law in matters of Shariah, being historically the dominant school in the Indian subcontinent.
Some have speculated that Osama bin Laden was long protected by
the Taliban because they are a Deobandi
movement. This is not entirely accurate, because the majority of the Taliban are
Maturidis, a variant of Ash'ari
theology.
Views on other sects
Wahhabis consider Wahhabism to be the true form of Islam. They do not regard Shi'as as true Muslims, and are particularly hostile to Sufism, and
to Ash'ari thought as well.
Criticism
Wahhabism is often maligned and attacked by adherents of Ash'ari belief as being
anthropomorphism, which was a common accusation of Ahmad Ibn Hanbal by his Mu'tazilite detractors, and Ibn Taymiyya by Ash'ari contemporaries.
They are less open to non-Muslim religions than other branches.
Some critiques of Wahhabism are as follows:
- Since they developed within a desert and tribal environment, not in a metropolis, they were affected by that environment.
They were confined to tribal customs and practices in many areas, for example, the minority view of women having to cover their
face becomes the only valid view, despite centuries of scholars saying otherwise.
- Having not been exposed to non-Muslims, or to a more vibrant and open society (such as a metropolis), their views are not
favorable towards non-Muslims, and depends mainly on hearsay (compare that with Christians who never saw Muslims)
- They are literalist and legalistic to the extreme
- They lack flexibility
Early history of Wahhabism
Wahhabism and other modern revivalist movments in Saudi Arabia began
with a surge of reformers seeking to reclaim orthodox Islam from innovation by various sects of Sunni Muslims. In the 18th century, it spread in Najd along with the expansion
of the First Saudi State under Muhammad bin Saud and his
successors.
Modern spread of Wahhabism
Wahhabism is the official practice of Islam in Saudi Arabia. In 1924 the
Wahhabist al-Saud dynasty conquered the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, creating the Saudi state. The spread of Wahhabi
Islam has been facilitated by Saudi oil revenues; Saudi laypeople, government
officials and clerics have donated many tens of millions of dollars to create Wahhabi-oriented religious schools, newspapers and
outreach organizations.
The Muslim Brotherhood, an Egyptian Islamist organization, received financial support from the Saudis in the 1950s, in order to act as a
counterweight to the secular Arab nationalism of Egypt's leader Abdul
Nasser.
Currently, Wahhabis claim that many Muslim Brotherhood scholars are corrupted by innovations. The Muslim Brothers Sayyed Qutb, and Yusuf
al-Qaradawi are all condemned by the Wahhabi movement. Wahhabis claim that Osama bin Laden is not a Wahabi, but a Qutbee (follower of Sayyed Qutb).
Osama bin Laden himself has said of Wahhabi scholars "An idol to be worshipped aside from God."
Most Wahhabis ban pictures, photographs, musical instruments, singing, video, suicide bombings, and celebrating Prophet
Muhammed's birthday, among many other things.
Many contend that Wahhabism is or has become a dominant form of Islam through proselytization driven by Saudi funding; others
contend that its influence is less widespread and that the practice and observance of Wahhabism and the political manifestations
that flow therefrom are more nuanced than its most doctrinaire interpretations.
External links
See also
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