In the name of Allah the Most Gracious the Most Merciful

Is it correct to say that Muhammad ibn Abdil-Wahhab was the founder of “Wahhabism”?

By Shaykh Abdullah bin Abdir-Rahman ash-Shithree May Allah preserve him

The shaykh mentions this point of benefit in his explanation of “al-Usool as-Sitta”. He says:

This known imaam revived the religion, manifested the sunnah, and destroyed innovations. He called the people sincerely towards the oneness (tawheed) of Allah. Although he faced severe harassments in his endeavor, Allah strengthen and established his da’wah (call) until it became manifested. Because of this, there are some who say that his call was the call of the Wahhabis, and that he was the founder of this new da’wah.

But it is incorrect to say “Wahhabi” from two aspects:

1. He did not come with anything new in the religion. He only called everyone to the tremendous foundation in the religion that Allah ordered (which is tawheed).

2. The ascription of “Wahhabi” is directed to his father (and not to him). To say he was the founder of the wahhabi movement is incorrect linguistically and in his methodology (because his methodology was Islaam). It is said that he invented wahhabism but his name is Muhammad son of Abdul Wahhab.

Therefore, this ascription is incorrect, rather, it is false. The enemies of Islaam have made it in order to slander his call.

“They want to extinguish the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah refuses except to perfect His light, although the disbelievers dislike it.” [Surah Tawbah: 32]

Those who have doubts about the man should read his books. You will find that everything he says is always referenced by the Qur’an or hadith. You can learn more about his life by watching a translated lecture by Shaykh Fawzaan here.

Translated by: Michael AbdusSalaam Deonarain

الفقير الى الله