Who’s Muhammad Bin Abdul Wahab?
Muhammad Bin Abdul Wahab
WHO IS MOHAMED BIN ABDUL WAHAB?
Muhammad bin Abdul Wahab was a highly respected scholar whose lineage can be traced back to Prophet Muhammad (SAW). His father, Sheikh Abdul Wahab, was also a renowned scholar who held the position of ‘Raees ul Ulama’. Muhammad was born in 1703 and showed great intelligence and memory from an early age. He memorized the Holy Quran at the age of ten and was taught by his father in the Hanbali school of Fiqh. Despite his young age, he was asked to lead prayers by his father. Muhammad got married at a young age and was acknowledged as a scholar when he was twenty. His upbringing and education had a great impact on his personality and made him a gifted child with a promising future.
START OF HIS MISSION
Muhammad bin Abdul Wahab was deeply committed to enjoining good and forbidding evil from an early age. His study of the Quran and Hadith made him realize that the society he lived in was not in line with Allah’s will. He tried to rectify the situation, but most scholars and the city of Ainiya opposed him. Despite this, he continued to call people to Tawheed and refused to migrate with his father to Harimela. He was taunted and slandered but remained steadfast. Eventually, he decided to seek the advice of scholars in Makkah and Madina and further his knowledge.
JOURNEY OF HAJJ AND LEARNING IN HEJAZ
During his journey of Hajj, Muhammad bin Abdul Wahab met with scholars in Makkah and Madina who appreciated his mission to remove religious innovations and senseless practices from society. He studied Hadith and received certification to teach the books of the Hanbali school of thought. He also observed people engaging in acts that violated Islamic Shariah, such as supplicating towards the Prophet’s grave. He corrected their behavior and even did so in front of his teacher. On his departure from Madina, he reiterated his resolve to take action against polytheism and religious innovations.
CONDITIONS DURING HIS TIME
Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahab was a contemporary of Shah Waliullah Dehlavi, and during his time, Arabia came under the control of the Ottoman Empire. The political and religious conditions in Hejaz and Najd were taken into account by the Ottomans, who gave internal independence to all the states under their control. There was no political unity, and the division of the area into many small states led to constant fighting over power among tribes. There was complete political chaos in the entire area of Najd. In the 12th century, Najd had become a center of misguidance and unIslamic practices. Basic beliefs had changed, and practices that Islam had come to abolish had become the very foundations of the religion practised there. People would pray to trees, rocks, and graves and sacrifice animals in their name. Good and bad omens were taken from the flight of birds. The absence of central power led to chaos and civil war everywhere, resulting in the peace and tranquillity of the whole society being ruined. The social customs of the people had become similar to those of the days of ignorance, leading to an animalistic way of life. The morals of the people became depraved, and basic social and moral values became redundant. The economy had come to a halt, and there was widespread famine in the country. Driven by hunger, the distressed public resorted to unlawful ways to obtain food for themselves. Essentially, Islam had perished.
A NEW START TO HIS MISSION AND ITS OPPOSITION
Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahab faced opposition while preaching against polytheistic practices in Basra, and his enemies confiscated his belongings and beat him up. He fainted due to the intense summer heat and was helped by a man from Zubair. He then travelled to Syria but had to stop in Harimela where his father lived. There, his mission faced opposition from rival scholars and their followers, but his father’s respect kept them from taking any action against him. After his father’s death, his opponents gained speed in persecuting him, and he had to leave Harimela for Ainiya. The ruler of Ainiya was impressed with his mission and allowed him to stay there. Despite all the harassment and persecution, Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahab remained steadfast in his mission.
MIGRATION TO AINIYA AND CHANGE IN STRATEGY
Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahab realized that preaching monotheism and reforming a society deeply entrenched in polytheistic practices was difficult. Thus, he migrated to Ainiya where he found support from the ruler, Usman bin Muammar, and began his Dawah work with renewed vigor. He made considerable progress in his mission and took practical measures to demolish centers of religious innovation. He burned down trees and demolished Zayd bin Khattab’s grave, which was a place of pilgrimage for people. Sheikh’s actions were met with hesitation from his followers and Usman, but he persisted and demolished the grave himself. This strengthened people’s faith in him and his mission gained strength. People from far-away places came to meet him and express interest in gaining knowledge. Usman provided food and lodging for the travelers, and Sheikh urged him to revive congregational prayers and abolish illegal taxes.
EXPULSION FROM AINIYA AND ATTEMPTED MURDER
Sheikh’s mission in Ainiya was going well, but the punishment of a woman guilty of adultery led to opposition and the ruler of Ahsa threatened Usman to either kill the Sheikh or force him to leave Ainiya. Sheikh left the city, and while traveling through the desert, he recited a verse from the Quran. There are two views regarding whether Sheikh left on his own or was asked to leave by Usman. Usman allegedly sent a soldier to follow and kill the Sheikh, but the soldier was overcome with fear and ran back to Ainiya.
SUPPORT FROM IBN SAUD AND SHEIKH’S POPULARITY
Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahab sought refuge in Dariya after being expelled from Ainiya. The ruler of Dariya, Mohammad bin Saud, decided to support him after being impressed by his sincerity and the simplicity of his mission. They made an agreement that Ibne Saud would support Sheikh Muhammad in spreading Tawheed and in return, the Sheikh would not leave them and would not stop them from collecting a fixed tax. Ibne Saud took the oath of allegiance to the Sheikh and resolved to enjoin good and forbid evil. The Sheikh taught the Quran and Sunnah to the people, and the movement gained popularity. The people of Ainiya and Harimela also pledged allegiance to the Sheikh. Mosques filled up, and intellectual gatherings started happening, promoting the spread of Tawheed.
KEY POINTS OF SHEIKH MUHAMMAD BIN ABDUL WAHAB’S CALL
The Sheikh’s mission focused on pure Tawheed and adherence to the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). The goal was to revive these principles in a society that had deviated from them. The mission’s success was achieved through key points relevant to the religious and moral conditions of Najd and its surrounding areas. The most important point was the emphasis on Tawheed and following the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
1. RETURN TO PURE TAWHEED AND ITS PRE-REQUISITES
The primary goal of Sheikh’s movement was to establish pure Tawheed, which means worshipping Allah alone and not associating any partners with him. It is not allowed to pray to deities or seek their intercession, and it is against the Shariah to exaggerate the status of pious men or turn their graves into places of worship. The movement aimed to revive the true teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and eliminate the practices that were against his teachings.
2. VISITING GRAVES
Sheikh taught people the correct manners of visiting graves, emphasizing that it is allowed and even desirable in Islam. However, he made it clear that certain actions, such as making graves a place of carnival or worship, kissing them, or sacrificing animals in their name, are forbidden and considered Shirk. Visiting graves should serve as a reminder of the temporary nature of this world and one should seek forgiveness for oneself and the grave dwellers, and send salutations according to the way the Prophet taught us.
3. TAWASSUL-BIL-ANBIYA
The term Tawassul means using mediation to achieve something. It is used in three ways:
1) seeking mediation through the obedience of the Prophet (SAW), which is obligatory,
2) using the Prophet’s mediation in supplication, which was only possible during his lifetime.
3) asking Allah repeatedly using the mediation of prophets and righteous people, which is an act of Shirk and prohibited in Islam. Sheikh opposed the third type of Tawassul and urged people to refrain from it.
4. THE ISSUE OF INTERCESSION (SHAFA’AT)
Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahab believed in the intercession to be offered by Prophet Muhammad (SAW) on the Day of Judgment, but it can only be done with Allah’s permission. According to authentic Ahadith, righteous people can also intercede with Allah’s permission. However, it is not permissible to call upon any prophet, martyr, saint, or angel for intercession using specific words. It is also not right to be convinced of intercession to such an extent that one stops doing good deeds. A person desirous of the Prophet’s intercession should pray to Allah to accept his intercession.
5. TO TAKE OATH IN THE NAME OF ANYONE BESIDES ALLAH
Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahab believed that taking an oath in anyone’s name besides Allah was against the essence of Tawheed. This practice was common among Muslims at that time but it is considered Shirk according to a Hadith in Jami Tirmidhi. Taking an oath in the name of anyone besides Allah is invalid and there is no expiation for it. This is strictly forbidden because it is a form of honoring others besides Allah.
6. ATTRIBUTES OF ALLAH AND SHEIKH’S STANCE
Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahab supported the belief of early Islamic era and classical scholars regarding the interpretation of the attributes of Allah mentioned in the Holy Quran. He believed that we should believe in the attributes of Allah in exactly the way that they have been stated in the Quran and accept them without any doubts. Sheikh’s view was that it is incorrect to try to interpret their exact meaning or nature or give explanations or try to probe beyond the literal meaning. According to him, only Allah has knowledge of the real meaning and interpretation and it is the duty of a Muslim to have faith in Allah’s attributes and His being without any objections.
7.IJTIHAD
Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahab followed the Quran and Sunnah and the Salafi school of thought for beliefs and actions. In Fiqh, he generally followed Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal but would prioritize authentic Hadith over any school of thought. He was influenced by Ibne Taymiyyah and Ibne Qayyim but did not blindly follow them. He considered it permissible to follow different scholars and schools of thought but disapproved of prejudice and rigidity in supporting one’s Imam after the manifestation of truth. The Sheikh’s view on Ijtihad was clear and he based his arguments on the sayings of the two scholars he was influenced by.
THE POPULARITY OF THE MISSION AND DECLARATION OF WAR AGAINST THE MOVEMENT
Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahab’s message was spread throughout Najd, Ahsaa, Basra, and neighboring areas. This posed a threat to the rulers of Riyadh, Ahsaa, and Qateef who started persecuting the Sheikh’s followers. This led to armed conflict with the ruler of Riyadh, Daham bin Dawas, and his eventual defeat. The influence of Aal-e-Saud kept increasing in Najd and neighboring areas, but they faced vehement opposition. Despite reaching a truce with the rulers of Makkah, the situation worsened after Sheikh’s death.
FORMATION OF AN ISLAMIC STATE
Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahab’s message was spread throughout Najd, Ahsaa, Basra, and neighboring areas. This posed a threat to the rulers of Riyadh, Ahsaa, and Qateef who started persecuting the Sheikh’s followers. This led to armed conflict with the ruler of Riyadh, Daham bin Dawas, and his eventual defeat. The influence of Aal-e-Saud kept increasing in Najd and neighboring areas, but they faced vehement opposition. Despite reaching a truce with the rulers of Makkah, the situation worsened after Sheikh’s death.
DEATH
Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahab passed away at the age of 90 in 1792 A.D. after falling ill in 1206 A.H. The news of his death saddened his people, but his mission and teachings lived on through his students and followers. The Sheikh had a long and fruitful life, dedicating it to the promotion of Tawheed and Islamic teachings. He faced opposition and failure in his early life, but his later years were filled with success and popularity. His legacy is carried on by his own children and his students, who are referred to as Aal-e-Sheikh.
EFFECTS OF HIS MOVEMENT
Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahab’s teachings had a significant impact on Muslim societies in many countries. His message was continued by his students and supporters after his death. The family of Saud worked to establish an Islamic system of governance based on Sheikh’s teachings. After facing severe opposition and conflict, they were able to conquer many regions and establish the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. However, there is a need for the Saudi government to pay attention to other essential aspects of an Islamic state, such as providing justice for all, freedom of expression, and a simple lifestyle for the ruling class. It is not becoming for the descendants of Sheikh or Saud to indulge in luxurious lifestyles while claiming to implement Shariah. Those who want to implement Shariah should reform themselves and change their behavior.
OBJECTIONS
The movement of Muhammad bin Abdul Wahab received significant support and recognition but also faced attempts to discredit it from both Muslims and non-Muslims. Objections were raised against the movement by the British, Turks, and Egyptians, which created uproar and caused it to be seen as a different religion from Islam. The objections will be discussed further.
1. WAHABISM…A SECT OR A DIFFERENT RELIGION?
The movement that brought people back to the pure teachings of Islam was named ‘Wahabism’ and the term ‘Wahabi’ was used as a curse. The founder of the movement was Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahab, but the name was attributed to his father Abdul Wahab. The term ‘Wahabi’ was popularized in a way that made it appear as a religion different from Islam. The British capitalized on this situation and vilified the name for their vested interests.
2. DENIAL OF SUNNAH
Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahab was accused of being against the Sunnah and of denouncing Hadith. He was also accused of being an enemy of the Prophet and his family and forbidding the sending of salutations on the Prophet. However, this accusation was refuted by one of Sheikh’s writings that emphasized the importance of following the legacy of the Prophet. The Sheikh forbade people from showing excessive devotion to prophets and righteous people that could lead them to polytheism. This accusation was made despite the fact that Sheikh’s every action in life was dictated by the Sunnah of the Prophet.
3. DEROGATORY ATTITUDE TOWARDS OTHER MUSLIMS
Sheikh was accused of considering everyone an infidel except his followers and himself, and of having a derogatory attitude towards other Muslims. However, according to the Sheikh, if a person does not leave polytheistic practices and grave worship after accepting Islam, then he is a Mushrik (polytheist). He considered it obligatory to first educate those with such beliefs before declaring them infidels. He did not generalize in censuring the Muslims of the world, and he stated this repeatedly. It is said that he considered it permissible to wage war against those who renounced Salah (prayer), but this remains the practice of the Hanbali school of thought, which the Sheikh and the people of Najd followed.
4. DEMOLITION OF GRAVES
Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahab and his followers demolished shrines and graves that were worshipped by people, as building grand shrines or concrete graves on them is prohibited in Islam and leads to polytheism. The Sheikh approved visiting the holy grave of the Prophet (SAW), but considered building shrines and graves as Shirk.
5. EXTREMISM IN RELIGION
Sheikh ul Islam, and his followers are accused of being rigid and extreme in their teachings of Islam. Although the Sheikh repeatedly instructed his students not to be rigid, some of his disciples were rigid and this can be seen in present-day Saudi society. However, the Prophet (SAW) is an example of how to spread the message of Islam without being harsh and extreme. It is essential to remember that guidance is from Allah and man cannot become guided by himself. Passing judgments of Haram in every little matter is against the etiquettes of preaching Islam. It is important to make things easy and give glad tidings to people.
HE SHEIKH’S PERSONALITY
This section highlights the personality of Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahab, who was known for his humbleness, cleanliness, and bravery. He was passionate about propagating the truth and struggled for seventy years to accomplish it. The Sheikh was sincere and selfless in his efforts and provided for the needy students from his own earnings. He possessed admirable qualities of forbearance and forgiveness, as seen in his reconciliation with his jealous brother and inclusion of those who opposed him in his group. Sheikh’s mission was focused on the sake of Allah, and he chose to undertake the difficult task of preparing a new era and denouncing false gods. His life is a model and example for every seeker of truth.
