Summarised notes on Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Abdul-Wahhaab and His Reform Movement.

 Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Abdul-Wahhaab and the purpose of his reform movement and writings, especially Kitab at-Tawheed:

I. Early Life and Education

• Born: 1703 CE in al-‘Uyaynah, Najd (present-day Saudi Arabia).

• Lineage of Scholars:

  • Father: ‘Abdul-Wahhaab ibn Sulaymaan – Judge and scholar.

  • Grandfather: Sulayman ibn ‘Ali – Renowned scholar in the region.

• Early Studies:

  • Memorized the entire Qur’an by age 10.

  • Studied Tafseer, Hadeeth, and Fiqh under his father.

• First Opposition:

  • After speaking against local innovations, his father lost his judicial position.

  • Family moved to Huraymilah in 1726.

II. Journey for Knowledge and Da‘wah

• Travel Destinations:

  • Hajj → Madinah: Studied under scholars like:

    • Shaykh ʿAbdullah ibn Ibrahim an-Najdi.

    • Muhammad Hayat Sindi (teacher of Shah Waliullah Dihlawi).

    • Studied works of Ibn Taymiyyah.

  • Basrah (Iraq): Preached against innovations for 4 years, little success.

  • Planned Damascus trip but returned via al-Asha due to financial loss.

  • Baghdad (anonymous report): Possibly stayed 5 years and married.

  • Traveled to:

    • Kurdistan (1 year).

    • Hamadhan (2 years).

    • Isfahan (Iran): Studied Sufism for 4 years.

    • Qumm.

III. Religious Conditions of the Time

• Widespread Corruption:

  • Grave worship, tomb veneration, and praying to saints, angels, jinn, etc.

  • Superstitions: Fortune telling, magic, pagan rituals.

  • Corrupt Sufism: Individuals claimed divine inspiration, abandoning obligations.

  • Worship of trees, caves, and sacred spots prevalent in Najd.

• Mission: Call to pure Tawheed and revival of Islam of the first three generations (Salaf).

IV. Return to Huraymilah and Call to Tawheed

• Compiled: Kitab at-Tawheed in Huraymilah.

• Initial Support & Opposition: After father’s death (1740), returned to al-‘Uyaynah under patronage of:

  • ‘Uthman ibn Mu‘ammar (local governor) → Swore loyalty to his cause.

  • Married al-Jawharah (aunt of the governor).

• Major Action: Demolished tomb of Zayd ibn al-Khattab (Companion of the Prophet ﷺ).

• Backlash:

  • Brother Sulayman ibn ‘Abdul-Wahhaab wrote a refutation.

  • Ordered the stoning of an adulterous woman – gained fame.

  • Gained followers but drew hostility from al-Ahsa's ruler, who pressured ‘Uthman.

V. Alliance with Muhammad ibn Sa‘ud – The Dawlah Salafiyyah

• Moved to Dar‘iyyah (1744):

  • Welcomed by Muhammad ibn Sa‘ud.

  • Strategic marriage: Ibn Sa‘ud’s daughter married the Shaykh.

• Alliance Model:

  • Shaykh Muhammad: Religious leadership.

  • Ibn Sa‘ud: Political and military leadership.

• Dar‘iyyah becomes hub of learning and revival:

  • Mosques filled.

  • Students from across the Muslim world flocked to learn.

  • Shaykh taught: Tawheed, Fiqh, Tafsir, Hadeeth, Seerah, Arabic.

• Accusations: Heresy, blasphemy, sorcery – Shaykh responded with calm debate.

VI. Jihad and Expansion of the Movement

• 1746: Jihad declared against shirk and those opposing the call to Tawheed.

• 1747–1775: War with Dahham ibn Dawwas, ruler of Riyadh (lasted 28 years).

• Major achievements:

  • Controlled most of Najd.

  • 1773: Riyadh captured, Dahham fled.

  • By 1792: Most of central Arabia purified of shirk and bid‘ah.

• Relation with Makkah:

  • Mixed reception: Sometimes welcomed, other times banned from Hajj.

  • 1785: Ban lifted due to regional pressure.

VII. Death and Legacy

• Died: 1792 at the age of 89.

• Results of Da‘wah:

  • Region cleansed of grave worship.

  • Shariʿah established and practiced.

  • Mosques revived with true worship.

• Main Contributions:

  • Focus on Tawheed al-‘Ibadah (worship) over Tawheed al-Asmaʾ was-Sifat (attributes), unlike earlier scholars.

  • Challenged practices contrary to the Qurʾan and Sunnah, regardless of tradition or popularity.

Writings of Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Abdul-Wahhaab

Writings were short, mostly concise collections of Qur’anic verses, hadiths, and sayings of the Salaf.

1. Kitab at-Tawheed – His most famous work, addressing shirk and pure Tawheed.

2. Kashf ash-Shubuhaat – Refutation of doubts related to intercession and shirk.

3. Masaʾil al-Jahiliyyah – Pre-Islamic pagan practices vs. Islamic guidance.

4. Al-Usul ath-Thalathah – The Three Fundamental Principles of Islam.

5. Mukhtasar Sirat ar-Rasul – Summary of Ibn al-Qayyim’s Zad al-Maʿad.

6. Collected Works: Muʾallafat ash-Shaykh al-Imam Muhammad ibn ‘Abdil-Wahhab (Imam Muhammad Ibn Sa‘ud University).

Historical Context of Tawheed Literature

1. Early Writings on Tawheed:

• Focused on Names & Attributes (Tawheed al-Asmaʾ was-Sifat).

• Aimed to counter influence from:

  • Christian theology (e.g. nature of Jesus).

  • Zoroastrianism (dual gods of good and evil).

  • Hinduism (incarnations and deities like Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva).

2. Spread of Innovation:

• As Islam spread, some new Muslims merged their previous beliefs into Islamic concepts.

• Debates led to deviations and disguised polytheism.

• Collapse of Baghdad (13th century) worsened the problem.

• Rise in Taqleed (blind following), mysticism, and rituals without proof.

3. Revival Needed:

• Focus shifted to Tawheed al-‘Ibadah – worshipping Allah alone.

• Muhammad ibn ‘Abdul-Wahhaab addressed this in his era.

Key Lessons from His Life and Mission

• Reform begins with Tawheed.

• Revival requires knowledge, courage, patience, and strategic alliances.

• Correct belief must be coupled with action and clarity.

• Challenges are part of every sincere da‘wah.

• Deviance in worship leads to societal decay.

• Sincere scholars aim for purification of ‘Aqeedah rather than popularity.