Wahhabism

Wahhabism is a revivalist movement within Sunni Islam.

It is often described as a Salafi movement. This means it seeks to return to the practices of the earliest generations of Muslims. Some historians call it a puritanical movement. Others see it as a way to reconstruct the morals of society. Followers often describe it as an Islamic reform movement. They believe they are restoring pure monotheistic worship. This means they want to return to the original message of the Prophet.

The movement functions by focusing on specific theological principles. It emphasizes Tawhid, which is the oneness of God.

Followers seek to remove innovations from the faith. An innovation is a new custom not found in early Islam. The movement specifically denounces the veneration of Muslim saints. It also rejects pilgrimages to the tombs or shrines of these saints. This approach is heavily influenced by the Hanbali school of thought. Scholars like Ibn Taymiyya and Ibn al-Qayyim serve as core references. These thinkers advocated for the purity of the first three generations of Muslims.

There are several ways to categorize this movement. It is a branch of Salafism that emerged in the 18th century. Some people view it as a distinct religious sect. Others, like Abdallah al Obeid, argue it is a political trend. He suggests it has no special rites that differ from mainstream Sunni Islam. The movement has also been described as a conservative reform trend. It acted as an anti-colonial force in the Islamic world. It sought to rebuild the social and political strength of Muslims. This helped spark pan-Arab trends in the 19th century.

The history of the movement is tied to the Arabian Peninsula. It began in the central region known as Najd.

In 1744, Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab formed a pact. He joined with a local leader named Muhammad bin Saud. This created a politico-religious alliance between the scholar and the monarchy. This partnership lasted for more than 250 years. It helped shape the three successive Saudi States. The movement was an early Arab-led revolt against foreign empires. These included the Turkish and Persian empires that followed the fall of the Abbasid Caliphate.

The significance of the movement is seen in its long political influence. For over two centuries, these teachings were the official creed of Saudi Arabia. The movement's ideas reached as far as West Africa.

However, the religious landscape is changing. In 2017, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman introduced new policies. These changes led to crackdowns on various Islamist groups. By 2021, the influence of religious clerics began to wane. Some observers call this the "post-Wahhabi era" of Saudi Arabia. This shift is driven by social, economic, and political changes in the country.

There is much debate regarding the name "Wahhabism."

The term was likely first used by Sulayman ibn Abd al-Wahhab. He was a critic and the brother of the movement's founder. Because it was used by opponents, many followers reject the label. They often call themselves Muwahhidun, which means "the monotheists." Others prefer the term Salafi. Some also use the term Ahl al-Hadith, meaning "People of the Hadith." In the West, the term is sometimes used as a blanket label. It is often applied to any movement seen as strict or militant, even if that is inaccurate.

Today, the movement is undergoing a period of uncoupling from the state. Since 2022, Saudi Arabia has celebrated a founding day on 22 February.

This date marks the rise of Muhammad ibn Saud in 1727. This celebration emphasizes the monarchy's origins rather than the 1744 pact. The state is now promoting a nationalist narrative. This narrative includes non-Islamic components of Saudi history. This represents a major shift in how religion and government interact in the region. The tension between traditional reform and modern nationalism remains a key topic of study.