Donald W. Reid 2011

A Quick Look at

Wahhabism

(Salafism)

Donald W. Reid 2011

This branch of Islam is often referred to as "Wahhabi," a term that

many adherents to this tradition do not use. Members of this form

of Islam call themselves Muwahhidun ("Unitarians", or "unifiers of

Islamic practice"). They use the Salafi Da'wa or Ahlul Sunna wal

Jama'a. The teachings of the reformer Abd Al-Wahhab are more

often referred to by adherents as Salafi, that is, "following the

forefathers of Islam."

Almohads (al-muwahhidun, "the Unitarians") Dinar coin

Donald W. Reid 2011

Salafi is a word denoting one who ascribes

her/himself to the Salaf of Islam, based on its

meaning in the Arabic language. Amongst

contemporary historians, it denotes a follower of

a Sunni Islamic movement that takes the pious

predecessors, the Salaf of the patristic period of

early Islam, as exemplary models. The word Salaf

is an Arabic noun which may be translated as

"predecessor" or "ancestor". In Islamic

terminology, it is generally used to refer to the first

three generations of Muslims: the Sahaba

("Companions"), the Tabi„un ("Followers") and the

Tabi„ al-Tabi„in ("Those after the Followers").

These three generations are looked upon as

examples of how Islam should be practiced.

Donald W. Reid 2011

The basic text of this form of Islam is

the Kitab at-tawhid (Arabic, "Book of

Unity"). Central to Muhammad ibn Abd

al Wahhab's message was the

essential oneness of God (tawhid).

The movement is therefore known by

its adherents as ad dawa lil tawhid (the

call to unity), and those who follow the

call are known as ahl at tawhid (the

people of unity) or muwahhidun

(Unitarians). The word Wahhabi was

originally used derogatorily by

opponents, but has today become

commonplace and is even used by

some Najdi scholars of the movement.

Most Wahhabi people live in Saudi

Arabia. Almost all people in Mecca and

Medina belong to this school.

Donald W. Reid 2011

Wahhabism (Salafism) is named after Muhammed Ibin

Abdul Wahhab, an Arabic imam who lived in 18th century in

today‟s Saudi Arabia.

Abdul Wahhab‟s approach to Islam considers many of the

traditions in the religion as infidelity. According to

Wahhabism, only the testimony is not enough for fidelity,

but one has to prove it with his actions and who ever does

not prove it, his life and property are not deserved.

Donald W. Reid 2011

In the early stages of

Wahhabism, Abdul Wahhab

rejected everything, but the

Quran and The Words and

Actions of Prophet in Islam

(Hadith). He declared that,

whoever does not obey the

rules of Islam (set by

himself) would be severely

punished

Donald W. Reid 2011

In 1744 Abdul Wahhab was married to the one of the

daughters of Muhammed bin Saud, who was the leader of

Saud tribe. This made him even more powerful, he wrote

letters to all Muslim leaders inviting them to his version of

Islam.

Arabic calligraphy “The House of Saud”

Donald W. Reid 2011

As the Saud family gained more

power among the Arabian

peninsula, Wahhabism spread with

them. In a short time, Wahhabism

spread to the majority of Arab

towns quickly. Things like,

smoking, music, and silk clothes,

were forbidden, worship was

mandatory. The most surprising

actions during this time were

attacks against graves and

mausoleums. Even mosques close

to gravesites were destroyed, this

earned the Wahhabis the label of

“Temple Collapsers”. When they

conquered Mecca and Medina all

the graves were destroyed except

for the prophet Muhammad‟s,

however it was forbidden to visit it.

The Maqsurah covering the grave of Muhammad,

Medina, Saudi Arabia.

Donald W. Reid 2011

In 1802, Wahhabis attacked Shias

in Karbala. According to different

sources, 2000 to 10,000 Shias

were killed. The holy places of the

Shias were destroyed.

Wahhabism, enforced its doctrine

using force, implemented the

death penalty for those who didn‟t

pray, considered everything that

did not exist during the prophet‟s

time as infidelity and banned

making comments on the Quran‟s

verses.

Donald W. Reid 2011

The Fundamentals of Wahhabism :

1. The Existence, The Role and The

Actions of Allah are all in one, they

cannot be separated.

2. What is mentioned above is Tawhid

(Uniqueness) whoever does not believe

in this does not deserve his/her life and

property.

3. Actions are hidden in fidelity, no fidelity

without supporting actions.

4. Who ever does not obey these actions

should be fought against.

5. Making Comments on verses of the

Quran is infidelity.

6. Pray to Allah without middlemen.

Believing and Obeying Sheikhs, Islamic

Saints, or other mediators is infidelity.

Donald W. Reid 2011

7. The only and eternal proof is the

Quran and Hadith (Words and Actions

of Prophet). All Sects, Sufism etc is

infidelity

8. Making Graves, Mausoleums,

vows, cemetery visits is infidelity.

9. Expecting help from anyone else

but Allah is infidelity.

10. Praying together is mandatory;

who ever doesn‟t pray in a mosque

shall be punished.

11. Whoever smokes, drinks coffee,

takes alcohol shall be punished

physically.

Donald W. Reid 2011

12. Wakfs (Public Foundations) are

forbidden. Who ever establishes

Wakfs are in fact those who hide their

property.

13. Amulets, prayer beads, dhikr,

sunnet are fictional.

14. Entertainment, Kissing One‟s Hand

(as an expression of respect), visiting

the graves or relics of Islamic Saints,

Listening Music is infidelity.

15. Rufai, Kadiri, Naksibendi etc Sects

of Islam are Infidels.

16. Loving the Ehl-i Beyt (Pioneers of

Islam, Friends and Family of the

Prophet) and accepting the innocence

of Ali‟s Sons is infidelity.

Donald W. Reid 2011

Wahhabism is the official version of Islam

in today‟s Saudi Arabia. Starting from the

1980‟s Wahhabi organizations started

actions to spread Wahhabism to other

locations. The oil in Saudi Arabia supplied

the Wahhabis with more than a sufficient

amount of resources.

Donald W. Reid 2011

The main doctrine of Wahhabism is that

anyone who is not Wahhabi is infidel and

the real Islam is Wahhabism. However,

Wahhabism, as the name of this version

of Islam is not mentioned (it is

considered derogatory), they basically

call themselves Muslims and their

religion as Islam, which can cause

confusion among non Muslims.

Donald W. Reid 2011

It has been stated that the main strategy of Wahhabi groups is to use the

wars and armed conflicts in Muslim areas to spread their beliefs.

Wahhabism was spread to Afghanistan during the Soviet Invasion.

Chechnya was the same, when the war in Chechnya broke out, Wahhabi

groups were there to support the Chechens. During the war in Bosnia,

Wahhabi groups were reported to be fighting on the Bosnian side and

supplying financial aid for Bosnians. However, Bosnia was a failure for these

groups.

Currently, apart from Chechnya and Afghanistan, intensive Wahhabi actions

are reported in Central Asian Countries such as Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Donald W. Reid 2011

Today, Wahhabism is not limited to

the Arabic Peninsula or Central Asia;

it is very common in Afghanistan,

Pakistan, India, Chechnya and

minorities exist in the USA and

Europe.