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The Life, Teachings and Influence of Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhaab
completely follow another human in his religion except for his
following of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be
upon him). In fact, he noted that the four Imams warned their
followers concerning blind obedience and encouraged them to follow
the truth from the Quran and Sunnah whenever it is made clear to
them. 1 Ibn Abdul-Wahhaab, though, recognized that even a scholar
may have to make taqleed, if he does not have the time, resources or
ability to make an individual judgment concerning an issue.
Based on ibn Abdul-Wahhaab’s teachings, his followers have
divided taqleed into three categories. The first category is a forbidden
type of taqleed wherein one follows an Imam even though his opinion
clearly contradicts the Quran or the Sunnah. In following the Imam in
such a case, the follower is practically making the Imam his Lord or a
prophet. This kind of blind obedience in the face of clear revelation
from God was greatly censured by ibn Abdul-Wahhaab and his
followers. (In fact, this is the kind of blind obedience that led many
people into a continual following of shirk. Thus ibn Abdul-Wahhaab
noted about those who blindly follow, “Their religion is built upon
some principles, the greatest being taqleed. It is the greatest maxim
for all the disbelievers, from the first to the last of them.” 2) In addition,
another form of taqleed that is forbidden is taqleed with respect to the
essentials of the faith. That is, according to Nusair, ibn Abdul-
Wahhaab believed that it is obligatory for everyone to know about
Allah, the Messenger and the essentials of the faith. On these types of
matter, taqleed is not allowed. 3
1 For a discussion of ibn Abdul-Wahhaab’s proofs against having to blindly follow
one of the four schools, see al-Atram, vol. 1, pp. 294-303.
2 Quoted in Nusair, p. 82. Ibn Abdul-Wahhaab must have been alluding to the
facts stated in the numerous verses of the Quran. Such as, “When it is said to
them, ‘Follow what Allah has revealed,’ they say, ‘Nay! We shall follow the
ways of our fathers.’ What! Even though their fathers were void of wisdom and
guidance” (al-Baqarah 170); “When they are told to follow the (Revelation) that
Allah has sent down, they say, ‘Nay, we shall follow the ways that we found our
fathers (following).’ What! Even if it is Satan beckoning them to the Penalty of
the (Blazing) Fire?” (Luqmaan 21).
3 Cf., Nusair, pp. 84-85. On this point, ibn Abdul-Wahhaab quoted the hadith in
which the hypocrites will be asked in the grave about the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him) and they will answer, “Uh, uh, I do not know. I
heard the people say something and I simply said what they said.” (Recorded
by al-Bukhari.)