Muhammad Ibn Abd al-Wahhab

Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd al-Wahhāb ibn Sulaymān al-Tamīmī (1703–1792) was a Sunni Muslim scholar, theologian, preacher, activist, religious leader, jurist, and reformer, who was from Najd in central Arabia and is considered as the eponymous founder of the Wahhabi movement. His prominent students included his sons Ḥusayn, Abdullāh, ʿAlī, and Ibrāhīm, his grandson ʿAbdur-Raḥman ibn Ḥasan, his son-in-law ʿAbdul-ʿAzīz ibn Muḥammad ibn Saʿūd, Ḥamād ibn Nāṣir ibn Muʿammar, and Ḥusayn āl-Ghannām.

The label “Wahhabi” is not claimed by his followers but rather employed by Western scholars as well as his critics. Born to a family of jurists, Ibn ʿAbd al-Wahhab’s early education consisted of learning a fairly standard curriculum of orthodox jurisprudence according to the Hanbali school of Islamic law, which was the school most prevalent in his area of birth. He promoted strict adherence to traditional Islamic law, proclaiming the necessity of returning directly to the Quran and ḥadīth literature rather than relying on medieval interpretations, and insisted that every Muslim – male and female – personally read and study the Quran. He opposed taqlid (blind following) and called for the use of Ijtihad (independent legal reasoning through research of scripture).

Being given religious training under various Sunni Muslim scholars during his travels to Hejaz and Basra, Ibn ʿAbd al-Wahhab gradually became opposed to certain rituals and practices such as the visitation to and veneration of the shrines and tombs of Muslim saints, which he condemned as heretical religious innovation or even idolatry. While being known as a Hanbali jurist, Ibn ‘Abd al-Wahhab minimized reliance on medieval legal manuals, instead engaging in direct interpretation of religious scriptures, based on the principles of Hanbali jurisprudence. His call for social reforms was based on the key doctrine of tawhid (oneness of God), and was greatly inspired by the treatises of classical scholars Ibn Taymiyya (d. 728 A.H/ 1328 C.E) and Ibn Qayyim (d. 751 A.H/ 1350 C.E).

Despite being opposed or rejected by some of his contemporary critics amongst the religious clergy, Ibn ʿAbd al-Wahhab charted a religio-political pact with Muhammad bin Saud to help him to establish the Emirate of Diriyah, the first Saudi state, and began a dynastic alliance and power-sharing arrangement between their families which continues to the present day in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Al ash-Sheikh, Saudi Arabia’s leading religious family, are the descendants of Ibn ʿAbd al-Wahhab, and have historically led the ulama in the Saudi state, dominating the state’s clerical institutions.

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“Al-Ushul Ath-Thalathah” (الأصول الثلاثة), translated as “The Three Fundamental Principles”, is a foundational Islamic text written by Imam Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhab (رحمه الله). This concise book outlines the three core principles that every Muslim must understand and apply in order to attain success in both this life and the Hereafter.

The title means “The Three Principles” or “The Three Foundations,” referring to three key questions that every human will be asked in the grave:

1. Who is your Lord?
2. What is your religion?
3. Who is your Prophet?

Imam Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhab structured the book to provide detailed yet straightforward answers to these questions based on the Qur’an and Sunnah.

• The second principle explains the religion of Islam and its five pillars:

  1. Shahadah (Testimony of Faith): Declaring that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) is His Messenger.
  2. Salah (Prayer): Performing the five daily prayers.
  3. Zakah (Charity): Giving obligatory charity to purify one’s wealth.
  4. Sawm (Fasting): Fasting during the month of Ramadan.
  5. Hajj (Pilgrimage): Performing pilgrimage to the House of Allah (Ka’bah) for those able.

• Islam is explained as a complete way of life based on submission, obedience, and worship of Allah alone.

• Evidence:
  “Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam.”
  (Surah Aal-e-Imran: 19)

• The third principle centers on understanding the life and mission of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) as:

  • The final messenger of Allah sent to guide humanity.
  • A model of perfect obedience and submission to Allah.
  • The conveyor of Tawheed and the one who warned against shirk (associating partners with Allah).

• Key points about the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم):

  • He is the last of the prophets and messengers.
  • He received the final revelation: the Qur’an.
  • He conveyed the message of Tawheed and instructed people to follow the straight path.

• Evidence:
  “There has certainly come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. Grievous to him is what you suffer; [he is] concerned over you and to the believers is kind and merciful.”
  (Surah At-Tawbah: 128)

The central theme of the book is Tawheed—the oneness of Allah—and avoiding shirk (polytheism). It underscores the obligation of every Muslim to:

1. Know and worship Allah alone.
2. Follow Islam as a complete way of life.
3. Believe in and emulate the Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم).

It also reminds believers about their ultimate accountability in the Hereafter and the importance of adhering to the Qur’an and Sunnah.

• Clarity and Simplicity: The book is written in simple language, making it accessible for Muslims of all levels of knowledge.
• Spiritual Preparation: It prepares the believer for the questioning in the grave.
• Foundational Knowledge: It serves as a starting point for understanding the essential beliefs of Islam.

Al-Ushul As-Sittah (الأصول الستة), or The Six Fundamental Principles, is a concise work by Imam Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhab (رحمه الله) that highlights six key principles every Muslim must understand and adhere to. These principles clarify core aspects of faith, Tawheed (monotheism), and the rejection of Shirk (associating partners with Allah), while also addressing common misconceptions. Below is a summary:

These six principles emphasize the importance of:

1. Sincerity in worshiping Allah alone.
2. Maintaining unity among Muslims.
3. Obeying righteous scholars and just leaders.
4. Rejecting all forms of Shirk.
5. Being aware of the hypocrisy of disbelievers.
6. Understanding that the truth of Islam is clear and indisputable.

By adhering to these principles, a Muslim strengthens their faith, safeguards their Tawheed, and avoids misguidance.

• Muslims are commanded to remain united upon the truth, avoiding division and sectarianism.
• This unity must be based on the Qur’an and Sunnah.
• Evidence:
  “And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided…” (Surah Aal-e-Imran, 3:103).

• Muslims are encouraged to follow their righteous scholars and obey just leaders who guide them according to the Qur’an and Sunnah.
• This principle prevents chaos and ensures a structured community.
• However, obedience to scholars and leaders must not contradict obedience to Allah.
• Evidence:
  “O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you…” (Surah An-Nisa, 4:59).

• Shirk (associating partners with Allah) is the gravest sin and the opposite of Tawheed.
• Understanding its forms (major and minor shirk) and rejecting it completely is critical for one’s salvation.
• Evidence:
  “Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills…” (Surah An-Nisa, 4:48).

• Disbelievers often claim to honor the religion while opposing its core message.
• Recognizing their hypocrisy and false claims is essential to avoid falling into confusion or compromise in faith.
• Evidence:
  “And when it is said to them, ‘Do not cause corruption on the earth,’ they say, ‘We are but reformers.’ Unquestionably, it is they who are the corrupters, but they perceive [it] not.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:11-12).

• The truth (Tawheed and the message of Islam) is clear and accessible to anyone who seeks it.
• Misguidance often occurs due to arrogance, ignorance, or following desires.
• Evidence:
  “This is the truth from your Lord, so do not be among the doubters.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:147).

Kitab At-Tawheed (كتاب التوحيد), authored by Imam Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhab (رحمه الله), is a seminal work that explains the concept of Tawheed (the Oneness of Allah) in detail. The book clarifies the importance of pure monotheism, the dangers of shirk (associating partners with Allah), and the necessity of worshiping Allah alone. Here is a concise summary: