Views Wahhabism

1 views

1.1 theology
1.2 jurisprudence (fiqh)
1.3 loyalty , disassociation
1.4 politics

views

adherents wahhabi movement identify sunni muslims. primary wahhabi doctrine affirmation of uniqueness , unity of god (tawhid), , opposition shirk (violation of tawhid – 1 unforgivable sin , according ibn abd al-wahhab). call adherence beliefs , practices of salaf (exemplary muslims). oppose consider heterodox doctrines, particularly held vast majority of sunnis , shiites, , practices such veneration of prophets , saints in islamic tradition. emphasize reliance on literal meaning of quran , hadith, rejecting rationalistic theology (kalam). wahhabism has been associated practice of takfir (labeling muslims disagree doctrines apostates). adherents of wahhabism favourable derivation of new legal rulings (ijtihad) long true essence of quran, sunnah , understanding of salaf.

theology

in theology wahhabism closely aligned athari (traditionalist) school, represents prevalent theological position of hanbali school of law. athari theology characterized reliance on zahir (apparent or literal) meaning of quran , hadith, , opposition rational argumentation in matters of belief favored ash ari , maturidi theology. however, wahhabism diverges in points of theology other athari movements. these include zealous tendency toward takfir, bears resemblance kharijites. distinctive feature strong opposition mysticism. although typically attributed influence of ibn taymiyyah, jeffry halverson argues ibn taymiyyah opposed saw sufi excesses , never mysticism in itself, being himself member of qadiriyyah sufi order. delong-bas writes ibn abd al-wahhab did not denounce sufism or sufis group, rather attacked specific practices saw inconsistent quran , hadith.

ibn abd al-wahhab considered beliefs , practices of shia violate doctrine of monotheism. according delong-bas, in polemic against extremist rafidah sect of shiis , criticized them assigning greater authority current leaders muhammad in interpreting quran , sharia, , denying validity of consensus of muslim community. believed shia doctrine of infallibility of imams constituted associationism god.

david commins describes pivotal idea in ibn abd al-wahhab s teaching being muslims disagreed definition of monotheism not ... misguided muslims, outside pale of islam altogether. put ibn abd al-wahhab s teaching @ odds of muslims through history believed shahada profession of faith ( there no god god, muhammad messenger ) made 1 muslim, , shortcomings in person s behavior , performance of other obligatory rituals rendered them sinner , not unbeliever.

muhammad ibn abd al-wahhab did not accept view. argued criterion 1 s standing either muslim or unbeliever correct worship expression of belief in 1 god ... act or statement indicates devotion being other god associate creature god s power, , tantamount idolatry (shirk). muhammad ibn abd al-wahhab included in category of such acts popular religious practices made holy men intercessors god. core of controversy between him , adversaries, including own brother.

in ibn abd al-wahhab s major work, small book called kitab al-tawhid, states worship in islam limited conventional acts of worship such 5 daily prayers (salat); fasting ramadan (sawm); dua (supplication); istia dha (seeking protection or refuge); ist ana (seeking help), , istigatha allah (seeking benefits , calling upon allah alone). worship beyond – making du or tawassul – acts of shirk , in violation of tenets of tawhid (montheism).

ibn abd al-wahahb s justification considering majority of muslims of arabia unbelievers, , waging war on them, can summed belief original pagans prophet muhammad fought affirmed god creator, sustainer , master of affairs; gave alms, performed pilgrimage , avoided forbidden things fear of god . made them pagans blood shed , wealth plundered sacrificed animals other beings; sought of other beings; swore vows other beings. such things if lives otherwise exemplary not muslim unbeliever (as ibn abd al-wahahb believed). once such people have received call true islam , understood , rejected it, blood , treasure forfeit.

this disagreement between wahhabis , non-wahhabi muslims on definition of worship , monotheism has remained same since 1740, according david commins, although, according saudi writer , religious television show host abdul aziz qassim, of 2014, there changes happening within [wahhabi] doctrine , among followers.

according source, defining aspects of wahhabism include literal interpretation of quran , sunnah , tendency reinforce local practices of najd.

whether teachings of muhammad ibn abd al-wahhab included need social renewal , plans socio-religious reform of society in arabian peninsula, rather return ritual correctness , moral purity , disputed.

jurisprudence (fiqh)

of 4 major sources in sunni fiqh – quran, sunna, consensus (ijma), , analogical reasoning (qiyas) – ibn abd al-wahhab s writings emphasized quran , sunna. used ijma in conjunction corroboration of quran , hadith (and giving preference ijma of muhammad s companions rather ijma of legal specialists after time), , qiyas in cases of extreme necessity. rejected deference past juridical opinion (taqlid) in favor of independent reasoning (ijtihad), , opposed using local customs. urged followers return primary sources of islam in order determine how quran , muhammad dealt specific situations , when using ijtihad. according edward mortimer, imitation of past juridical opinion in face of clear contradictory evidence hadith or qur anic text ibn abd al-wahhab condemned. natana delong-bas writes wahhabi tendency consider failure abide islamic law equivalent apostasy based on ideology of ibn taymiyya rather ibn abd al-wahhab s preaching , emerged after latter s death.

according expert on law in saudi arabia (frank vogel), ibn abd al-wahhab himself produced no unprecedented opinions . wahhabis bitter differences other muslims not on fiqh rules @ all, on aqida, or theological positions . scholar david cummings states disputes other muslims did not center on fiqh, , belief distinctive character of wahhabism stems hanbali legal thought myth .

some scholars ambivalent whether wahhabis belong hanbali legal school. encyclopedia of islam , muslim world maintains wahhabis rejected jurisprudence in opinion did not adhere strictly letter of qur , hadith . cyril glasse s new encyclopedia of islam states strictly speaking , wahhabis not see belonging school, , in doing correspond ideal aimed @ ibn hanbal, , can said of school . according delong-bas, ibn abd al-wahhab never directly claimed hanbali jurist, warned followers dangers of adhering unquestionably fiqh, , did not consider opinion of law school binding. did, however, follow hanbali methodology of judging not explicitly forbidden permissible, avoiding use of analogical reasoning, , taking public interest , justice consideration.

loyalty , disassociation

according various sources—scholars, former saudi students, arabic-speaking/reading teachers have had access saudi text books, , journalists – ibn `abd al wahhab , successors preach theirs 1 true form of islam. according doctrine known al-wala` wa al-bara` (literally, loyalty , disassociation ), abd al-wahhab argued imperative muslims not befriend, ally with, or imitate non-muslims or heretical muslims , , enmity , hostility of muslims toward non-muslims , heretical had visible , unequivocal. late 2003, entire pages in saudi textbooks devoted explaining undergraduates forms of islam except wahhabism deviation, although, according 1 source (hamid algar) wahhabis have discreetly concealed view other muslims outside saudi arabia on years.

in reply, saudi arabian government has strenuously denied above allegations , including government exports religious or cultural extremism or supports extremist religious education.

politics

according ibn abdal-wahhab there 3 objectives islamic government , society: believe in allah, enjoin behavior, , forbid wrongdoing. doctrine has been sustained in missionary literature, sermons, fatwa rulings, , explications of religious doctrine wahhabis since death of ibn abdal-wahhab. ibn abd al-wahhab saw role imam, responsible religious matters , , amir, in charge of political , military issues . (in saudi history imam has not been religious preacher or scholar, muhammad ibn saud , subsequent saudi rulers.)

he taught muslim ruler owed unquestioned allegiance religious obligation people long leads community according laws of god. muslim must present bayah, or oath of allegiance, muslim ruler during lifetime ensure redemption after death. counsel given ruler community leaders or ulama should private, not through public acts such petitions, demonstrations, etc. (this strict obedience can become problematic if dynastic dispute arises , rebelling against ruler succeeds , becomes ruler, happened in late 19th century @ end of second al-saud state. successful rebel ruler obeyed, or usurper?)

while gives king wide power, respecting shari impose limits, such giving qadi (islamic judges) independence. means not interfering in deliberations, not codifying laws, following precedents or establishing uniform system of law courts – both of violate qadi s independence.

wahhabis have traditionally given allegiance house of saud, movement of salafi jihadis has developed among believe al saud has abandoned laws of god. according zubair qamar, while standard view wahhabis apolitical , not oppose state , there is/was strain of wahhabism found prominence among group of wahhabis after fall of second saudi state in 1800s , , post 9/11 associated jordanian/palestinian scholar abu muhammad al-maqdisi , wahhabi scholars of shu’aybi school .

wahhabis share belief of islamists such muslim brotherhood in islamic dominion on politics , government , importance of dawah (proselytizing or preaching of islam) not towards non-muslims towards erroring muslims. wahhabi preachers conservative , not deal concepts such social justice, anticolonialism, or economic equality, expounded upon islamist muslims. ibn abdul wahhab s original pact promised whoever championed message, will, means of it, rule , lands , men.