Muhammad ibn Abd'Wahhab

[LuisDantas]

*** Thread moved to General Religious Debates as requested by thread creator ***​

 

[Assad91]

I hope when Muslimahinblack and Tashan get a chance, they will review the last two posts of mine concerning tawassul. And to proceed, I will like to post some more on the innovations by Muhammad Ibn Abd'Wahhab;

"The Wahhabis appeared in the Arabian desert [...] and revived the School of Ibn Taymiyya. The founder of the Wahhabiyya is Muhammad ibn `Abd al-Wahhab who died in 1786CE. He had studied the books of Ibn Taymiyya which became inestimable in his sight, deepening his involvement in them until he brought them out from the realm of opinion into the realm of practice. [...] The Wahhabis exaggerated [and bowdlerized] Ibn Taymiyya's positions and instituted practical matters that can be summarized thus:

"I. They did not restrain themselves to view worship (`ibada) in the same way that Islam had stipulated in the Qur'an and Sunna and as Ibn Taymiyya had mentioned, but they wished to include customs (`adat) also into the province of Islam so that Muslims would be bound by them. Thus they declared cigarette smoking haram and exaggerated this ruling to the point that their general public considered the smoker a mushrik [idolater]. As a result they resembled the Khawarij who used to declare apostate whoever committed a sin.

"II. In the beginning of their sway they would also declare coffee and whatever resembled it as haram [categorically prohibited] to themselves but it seems that they became more lenient on this point as time went by.

"III. The Wahhabis did not restrain themselves to proselytism only, but resorted to warmongering against whoever disagreed with them on the grounds that they were fighting innovation (bid`a), and innovations are an evil that must be fought, and it is obligatory to command good and forbid evil.1 [...] The leader of Wahhabi thought in the field of war and battle was Muhammad ibn Sa`ud, the ancestor of the ruling Sa`udi family in the Arabian lands. He was a brother-in-law to Shaykh Muhammad ibn `Abd al-Wahhab and embraced his madhhab, defending it fervently and calling unto it by force of arms. He announced that he was doing this so as to uphold the Sunna and eradicate bid`a. Perhaps, this religious mission that took a violent turn was carrying with itself a rebellion against Ottoman rule. [...]

Until the governor of Egypt, Muhammad `Ali Basha al-Albani, faced them and pounced on the Wahhabis with his strong army, routing them in the course of several battles. At that time their military force was reduced and confined to the Arabian tribes. Riyadh and its vicinity was the center for this permanent da`wa that would turn violent whenever they found the strength and then lie still whenever they found violent opposition.

"IV. Whenever they were able to seize a town or city they would come to the tombs and turn them into ruins and destruction [...] and they would destroy whatever mosques were with the tombs also. [...]

"V. Their brutality did not stop there but they also came to whatever graves were visible and destroyed them also. And when the ruler of the Hijaz regions caved in to them they destroyed all the graves of the Companions and razed them to the ground [...]

"VI. They would cling to small matters which they condemned although they had nothing to do with idolatry nor with whatever leads to idolatry, such as photography. We found this in their fatwas and epistles at the hands of their Ulama, although their rulers ignore this saying of theirs completely and cast it by the wayside.

"VII. They expanded the meaning of bid`a [innovation] to strange proportions, to the point that they actually claimed that draping the walls of the noble Rawda [near the Prophet's chamber in Madina] is an innovated matter. Hence they forbade the renewal of the drapes that were in it, until they fell in tatters and became unsightly, were it not for the light that pours out to all that are in the presence of the Prophet - upon him peace - or feels that in this place was the abode of Revelation on the Master of Messengers. In fact, we find among them, on top of this, those who consider that the Muslim's expression "our Master Muhammad" (sayyiduna Muhammad) is an impermissible bid`a / and they show true extremism about this and, for the sake of their mission, use foul and furious language until most people actually flee from them as fast as they can.

"VIII. In truth, the Wahhabis have actualized the opinions of Ibn Taymiyya and are extremely zealous followers and supporters of those views. They adopted the positions of Ibn Taymiyya that we explained in our discussion of those who call themselves "Salafiyya." However, they expanded the meaning of bid`a and construed as innovations things that have no relation to worship. [...] In fact, it has been noticed that the Ulama of the Wahhabis consider their own opinions correct and not possibly wrong, while they consider the opinions of others wrong and not possibly correct. More than that, they consider what others than themselves do in the way of erecting tombs and circumambulating them, as near to idolatry.2 In this respect they are near the Khawarij who used to declare those who dissented with them apostate and fight them as we already mentioned. This was a relatively harmless matter in the days when they were cloistered in the desert and not trespassing its boundaries; but when they mixed with others until the Hijaz country was in the hand of the Sa`ud family,3 the matter became of the utmost gravity. This is why the late King `Abd al-`Aziz of the Sa`ud family opposed them, and treated their opinions as confined to themselves and irrelevant to others."4 [End of the text quoted from Imam Abu Zahra's book Tarikh al-Madhahib al-Islamiyya ("History of the Islamic Schools").]

Wahhabism: Imam Muhammad Abu Zahra Explains

 

[Assad91]

Has anyone who was waiting for the posts read them?

 

[Monotheist 101]

Common Myths/lies against Shaikh Abdul Wahhab (RH) and the "Wahhabis"

Myth 1. Calling Muslims kaffir based on ignorance and fighting with them

One more charge on the Shaikh is that he considered all men of the Qibla Kafirs and he regarded it permissible to engage in wars with the Muslims.

Shaikh Abdul Wahhab (RH) said: "And we do not declare them infidels who on account of ignorance and lack of guidance worship those idols which are built on the graves of (Shaikh) Abdul Qadir, Ahmad Badwi, and other elders like them, then how can we call them infidels who are not guilty of committing the sin of polytheism or did not come to us by migration and have not been guilty of committing any kufr."

On the issue of those who have abandoned worship and the issue of grave worshippers:
Ahmad bin Nasir bin Usman Muammari Najdi (disciple of Abdul Wahhab) said before the ulema of the Haram Sharif in 1211: "The Shaikh did takfir of only those idolators who asked for boons from the saints and the virtuous, those who committed shirk and polytheism even after receiving full proof and clarification about the way of God. And moreover they were the first to initiate the war. It was then that the Shaikh battled with them and shed their blood. Under such circumstances the Quran, the sunnah and the ijma are all in his support."

Myth 2: Demolition of the dome of the Prophet's grave by Saud bin Abdul Aziz

"The opponents forged one more baseless charge that the Saud bin Abdul Aziz bin Mohammad bin Saud got the Prophet's dome also demolished. This has been supported by the authors Stoddard (Hazir: I, 264) , Hughes (Dictionary of Islam: pg. 660), Zewemer (p. 195), Blunt (Future of Islam, pg. 45) , Margoliouth (Encyclopaedia of Religion and Ethics: XII, 661). Whatever be his opinion about its construction, he never dared to even look at the Prophet's dome with an evil eye. But the charge about the Prophet's dome is really slander and the story about desecrating the Prophet's dome is entirely baseless and a fabrication."

Myth 3: Shaikh Abdul Wahhab (RH) died as a captive in Istanbul (beheaded I may add).

Shaikh Abdul Wahhab actually died in Ziqad in Najd (Arabia) not as a captive after 50 years of preaching and missionary work in 1206 AH (about 1791 C.E.). He was born in 1115 AH (around 1703 C.E) in Oyaina, Najd. The second son of Abdul Wahhab, Abdullah bin Mohammad bin Abdul Wahhab was present when Ibrahim Pasha invaded Dariya, Najd in 1233 AH (around 1817 CE) and he was perhaps captured and sent to Istanbul where he was beheaded/killed.

Myth 4: The Shaikh took part in the capture of Makkah by Saud bin Abdul Aziz and ordered the destruction of the Prophet's tomb

Mohammad bin Saud died in 1179 AH and was succeeded by Abdul Aziz bin Mohammad bin Saud. Abdul Aziz bin Mohammad bin Saud was succeeded by his son Saud bin Abdul Aziz in 1218 AH. Saud bin Abdul Aziz entered Makkah on Sunday, 8 Mohharam, 1218 AH (around 1803 C.E.) with no resistance of the inhabitants. So to say that Shaikh Abdul Wahhab was present during these times is absurd since he died in 1206.

And I have already shown that he did not order the destruction of the Prophet's tomb nor did Saud bin Abdul Aziz bin Mohammad bin Saud get it demolished or order for it.

Myth 5: Saud bin Abdul Aziz ordered the killing of inhabitants in Makkah in 1218 AH

Saud gave security to the inhabitants and distributed gifts and charities generously. He however did not kill any of the priests and this is verified by Ibn Bishr [2] (one of the Primary sources I will cite in the references).

Also, Thomas P. Huges wrote in his book "Dictionary of Islam" in 1885 CE: "Due to the sacredness of the Haram, the inhabitants were not harmed in the least.....And after the people of Najd became the rulers the mosques used to be so crowded that such an example of obedience and piety had not been seen in the city of security after the days of the Prophet."

Also Burckhardt who wrote "Notes on the bediouns and the Wahhabys" himself admitted when he entered Makkah: "On entering the holy city, the army did not resort to any undesirable action. The people of Makkah remember the name of Saud with a sense of gratitude.

Myth 6: Shaikh Abdul Wahhab claimed he was a prophet and denied hadith

This one is really stupid and is repeated by Ahmad Zaini Dahlan and Nie Buhr. Abdul Wahhab help the view that at no time anyone got direct revelation from God, and no sacred book has ever come into existence which could be called divine.

As for denial of hadith, his whole life was steeped in the sunnah of the Prophet. The accuser was Ahmad Abdullah Al-haddad ba Alwi.

Hughes says in his book "Dictionary of Islam: "Wahhabism is often called the protestant sect of Islam, althought there is a great difference. Christian Protestantism while accepting the high status of the sacred revealed scriptures considers it necessary to reject the convention teachings. On the contrary, Wahabism gives emphasis on the Hadith as well as on the Quran.

Myth 7: Shaikh Abdul Wahhab propagated the killing of women and children who were innocent

Ahmad bin Nasir bin Usman Muammari Najdi, the disciple of Shaikh Abdul Wahhab said before the ulema of the Haram Sharif in 1211:

"One of these fabrications is that the Sheikhul Islam sheds blood and plunders goods and has the audacity of killing people and calls all the Muslims of the world kafir..All this is a white lie" [4]

This is supported by the numerous ahadith against the killing of women and children and this was the position of Abdul Wahhab (RH).

Also Abdullah bin Mohammad bin Abdul Wahab said: "And we do not view it permissible to kill women and children."

 

[Monotheist 101]

Myth 8: Shaikh Abdul Wahhab called his movement Wahhabis

The extent to which "Wahabism" was sought to be described as a seperate religion and a misguided group shows that this name is highly objectionable. There are sources of this name, but it is not Shaikh Abdul Wahhab.

1. Burckhardt came to Hejaz in 1816 CE and prepared a memorandum in connection with the "Wahhabis". This was later published in two volumes in 1831 as "Notes on the Bediouns and the Wahabys". He has used the term Wahabi repeatedly.
2. Abdur Rahman Jabrati - He also used the term Wahabi frequently around the same time.

The message of Shaikh Abdul Wahhab (RH) is not a new thing. He does not present anything more than the teaching of the Quran and the Sunnah. But the opponents, under political motivations, nicknamed the Shaikh's mission as Wahabism and presented it in such a manner as if the invitation was being extended for a religion other than Islam.

Myth 9: Shaikh Abdul Wahhab was against the Four Imaams and their madhabs

Shaikh Muhammad bin Abdul-Wahhaab states, "We are followers (muqallidoon) of the Book and the Sunnah and Righteous Salaf of the Ummah, Abu Haneefah an-Nu'maan bin Thaabit, Malik bin Anas, Muhammad bin Idrees ash-Shaafi'ee and Ahmad bin Hanbal, may Allaah have mercy upon them all." ("ar-Rasaa'il ash-Shakhsiyyah", al-Qism al-Khaamis, in his "Mu'allifaat").

And he also said, "As for our madhhab, then it is that of Imaam Ahmad bin Hanbal,the Imaam of Ahl us-Sunnah, and we do not show rejection against the people of the four madhabs when there is no opposition to the Book, the Sunnah and the Ijmaa of the Ummah, and the majority-saying of the Ummah". (Ar-Rasaa'il ash-Shakhsiyyah, p.107).

And he also said: "As regards the peripheral problems we are also on the path of Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal and do not deny the followers of the four imams. Of course, we do not allow taqlid of others in addition to these, for the creeds of others such as rafzis etc. are not clearly systemised. And we are not entitled to claim absolute ijtehad nor does any one of us claim it. But if on some issues we find a test of the Book and the sunnah which is clear and has not been canceled, nor has it been restricted and contradcited by another strong text, and some one from amongst the four imams had adopted it, then we follow it and give up our creed, just as on the question on the bequest of the grandfather and brothers we give priority to the grandfather in opposition to the stand taken by the creed of the Hanbalis." (Al-Hadiatus Saniah, pg. 99)

And there is the testimony of Muhammad Rasheed Ridhaa, "And they - meaning the followers of Shaikh Muhammad bin Abdul-Wahhab - in the Usool (foundations) are upon the madhhab of the Salaf us-Saalih, and in the branches (fiqh) they are upon the madhhab of Imaam Ahmad bin Hanbal, and they respect the four madhhabs and they do not differentiate between any of their followers, and what Ibn 'Aabideen stated and those who followed what he said, in affirmation of the lies of Shaikh Ahmad ad-Dahlaan and his fabrications, despite the fact there is nothing of the sort in the books of the Shaikh or in the books of his offspring, all of which are present, in our hands. And we used to believe in these rumours which were spread by the Turkish politic concerning them, believing in Ibn Aabideen and his likes, and yet their books, and the books of their helpers have been published in this time of ours. Hence, there is no excuse for anyone in believing what the worthless ones, the innovators, and the people of desires amongst them have claimed. And I mentioned these rumours once in the gathering of the great ustaadh (teacher), Shaikh Abu Fadl al-Jeezaawee, the Shaikh of al-Azhar in the Faculty of Religion, and I brought a copy of the book "al-Hadiyah as-Sunniyyah" to him. So the great shaikh checked through it, him and a group from the most famous of the scholars of al-Azhar, and they acknowledged that whatever is found therein is the very madhhab of the majority of Ahl us-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah". (Siyaanat ul-Insaan 'An Waswasah ash-Shaikh Dahlaan, p.510-511, in the footnote).

On peripheral problems of fiqh he acted on the creed of the Imam Ahle Sunna - Immam Ahmad bin Hambal, but if a hadith was available to him contrary to the creed of the Hambalis then no power on Earth could prevent him from acting according to that Hadith.

In most cases the Sheikh argues from the position of Imam Ibn Taimiya and Imam ibn Qaiyim, but he did not put the strap of their taqlid round his neck. Ibn Taiymiya and Ibn Qaiyim are his leaders only as long as according to him they do not deviate from the Quran and Sunnah.

Myth 10: Shaikh Abdul Wahhab made takfeer of those who made tawassul by the righteous

Taken from Sayyid Muhammad bin 'Alawi al-Maliki's excellent book "Mafahim Yajib An Tusahhah (Notions that Must be Corrected)", pg. 141:

Shaykh Muhammad bin 'Abd al-Wahhab said: "Sulayman bin Sahim has fabricated on me statements which I never said, nor have they ever came to my mind. and from amongst it: that I do takfir of those who perform Tawassul by the righteous, and that I do takfir of [al-Imam] al-Busayri because he said: "O most gracious of the creation", and that I burn Dala'il al-Khayrat.
"And my reply to this issue: Glory be to Allah! This is awful slander!"
["Rasa'il al-Shaykh Muhammad bin 'Abd al-Wahhab", the eleventh epistle, pg. 64.]

On the preceding page, he expresses his opinion on Tawassul by saying: "The correct position according to us is the statement of the majority, that is it is makruh. Therefore, we do not detest those who perform it, and there is no detestation with regards to the issues of ijtihad. However, we do detest those who invoke the created objects in a much more serious manner than he who calls upon Allah but really intends by that the grave [of a righteous person], praying near the shrine of Shaykh 'Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani or his likes and requests therein protection from sorrow and assistance in ones yearnings and the giving of sustenances. So where is [the seriousness of] this act in comparison to he who calls upon Allah, bearing their religion to Him in sincerity, not calling upon anyone save Allah, but he says in his Du'a: I ask you by your Prophet or by the Messengers or by your righteous slaves, or he goes to a known grave [of a saint] and prays therein, but does not call upon anyone save Allah, bearing their religion to Him in sincerity..."
[Fatawa al-Shaykh Muhammad bin 'Abd al-Wahhab, the third section pg. 68, printed by The University of Muhammad bin Sa'ud during Shaykh Muhammad bin 'Abd al-Wahhab week]

Sources (All Primary Sources except for last one):

1. Rauzatul Afkar Wal Afham le-Murllude Halelemam wa Ghazwate Zawil Islam by Husain bin Ghannam Ahsai (d. 1225 AH)
2. Unwanul Majd fi Tarikhe Najd by Usman bin Bishr Najdi (d. 1288)
3. Kashfush Shubahat & Ulamaa’ al-Najd Khilaal Sittat Quroon by Abdullah bin Mohammad bin Abdul Wahab (d. 1233) - Son of Abdul Wahhab (RH)
4. Alfawakehul Aezab fir-radde Ala mallam Yohakkim AsSunnata Wal Kitab (p. 55-90) by Sheikh Ahmad bin Nasir bin Usman al-Muammari An-Najdi (d. 1225)
5. Mohammad bin Abdul Wahab by Masood Alam Nadwi

Common Myths against the Abdul Wahhab/Movement

 

[danieldemol]

What are your thought on the man from Najd who created the Salafi sect, Muhammad ibn Abd'Wahhab?

My thoughts are that certain of the teachings of Wahhab are not constructive in today's atmosphere. Additionally, Wahhab was so far excelled in knowledge by Rumi that if Salafis were to give the Masnavi an unbiased reading they would possibly feel annoyed with Wahhab for having wasted their time reading his literature.

Although Monotheist101 may not have named the name, I think this to be a fair reflection on the attitude commonly found amongst many traditional "Salafi"s

"...One sect claims the ‘ultimate truth’ or having God only on its side or only their party going to paradise and the rest destined for hell.
Members of one’s own sect are commonly seen as ‘brothers’ in faith and the ‘others’ as enemies.

Such attitudes then regard the interpretations held by others as ‘deviant’"

Surely such an attitude is the inevitable by-product of handing out shirk-dom like one was Santa handing out lollies to children during Christmas carols. One can potentially become so busy handing out shirk labels they forget to practice many a good deed, with compassion, patience, humility, being good listeners, skillful communicators etc all easily falling by the wayside in the quest to label others.