Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab
Reformer and founder of the Wahhabi movement
Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab was born in 1703 into the Banu Tamim clan in the Najdi village of 'Uyayna. His family had produced several notable Hanbali jurists, including his father, who served as the Hanbali jurisconsult of Najd, and his grandfather, a Hanbali judge. His early education, taught by his father, consisted of memorizing the Quran and studying basic Hanbali jurisprudence and theology, particularly the works of Ibn Qudamah. After leaving 'Uyayna around age twenty, he performed the pilgrimage in Mecca and then traveled to Medina. There, he met a Hanbali theologian who supported the works of Ibn Taymiyyah. He also studied under Muhammad Hayat al-Sindi, a Naqshbandi Sufi who encouraged him to reject rigid imitation of medieval legal commentaries and to develop independent research of scripture. Influenced by al-Sindi, Ibn Abd al-Wahhab became critical of the established school system and minimized reliance on medieval legal manuals, instead engaging in direct interpretation of the Quran and Hadith. He opposed certain rituals associated with the veneration of saints' tombs, which he condemned as idolatry. His call for social reform was based on the doctrine of tawhid and inspired by Ibn Taymiyya and Ibn al-Qayyim. Although rejected by some contemporary Hanbali scholars, he formed a religio-political pact with Muhammad bin Saud, establishing the Emirate of Diriyah and a dynastic alliance that continues in Saudi Arabia. His descendants, the Al ash-Sheikh, have historically led the state's clerical institutions.
- born
- 1703 C.E. (1115 A.H.)
- died
- 1792 C.E. (1206 A.H.)
- field
- Islamic theology, jurisprudence, reform
- nationality
- Arab (from Najd, Arabian Peninsula)
- known_for
- Founder of the Wahhabi movement; religio-political pact with Muhammad bin Saud; emphasis on tawhid and ijtihad
Lore & Background
Born in 1703 into the Banu Tamim clan in 'Uyayna, Najd, he was taught by his father and studied Hanbali jurisprudence. He traveled to Mecca and Medina, where he met Muhammad Hayat al-Sindi, who influenced his rejection of popular religious practices. He also traveled to Basra, studied under Muhammad al-Majmu'i, and wrote a treatise against Rafidah. After four years in Basra, he departed for Baghdad in 1152 A.H./1739 C.E., married an affluent woman, and stayed for five years. He then traveled to Kurdistan, Hamadan, Isfahan, Damascus, and Cairo, studying philosophy and Sufism, before returning to Huraymila where his father had settled as a judge. There he composed 'Kitab al-Tawhid' and gained his first followers.
Reader's Guide
Ibn Abd al-Wahhab promoted strict adherence to Islamic law, returning directly to the Quran and Hadith, and insisted every Muslim read the Quran. He opposed blind taqlid and called for ijtihad. He condemned veneration of shrines and tombs as heretical innovation or idolatry. His views were rejected by some Hanbali scholars. He formed a religio-political pact with Muhammad bin Saud, establishing the Emirate of Diriyah, the first Saudi state, and a dynastic alliance continuing in Saudi Arabia. The Al ash-Sheikh, his descendants, lead the ulama in the Saudi state.
Did You Know?
- The label 'Wahhabi' is not claimed by his followers.
- His early education included learning the Quran by heart and studying Hanbali jurisprudence from works of Ibn Qudamah.
- He was greatly inspired by the treatises of Ibn Taymiyya and Ibn al-Qayyim.
- His teacher Muhammad Hayat al-Sindi belonged to the Naqshbandi order of Sufism.
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