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The Life, Teachings and Influence of Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhaab
based on knowledge, and one may not object to something except
based on knowledge. 1
The Comprehensiveness of ibn Abdul-Wahhaab’s Approach to Ordering
Good and Eradicating Evil
The religion of Islam is often called “a complete way of life.”
This is because its teachings touch upon every aspect of life. In other
words, God has revealed a book and sent a living prophet to set the
example and give the guidance for all of the different phases and
compartment of life. Thus, whenever there is guidance on a matter,
refusal to follow that guidance or rejection of that guidance is
tantamount to an evil. This evil should be corrected and changed
according to the principles described above. Thus, the Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allah be upon him) taught and guided people
concerning maters of belief, worship, manners, character, morals and
so forth.
A very important aspect of ibn Abdul-Wahhaab’s life and
teachings is that he did not confine himself to changing simply one
portion of life or society. Many are the leaders or movements that may
stress one aspect—such as worship—while being neglectful of the
many other important aspects of life. Such attempts at reform may
bring about positive results but such results are most likely doomed to
be very partial when looked at in the greater picture. Thus, ibn Abdul-
Wahhaab, like the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)
himself, did not restrict himself to any one aspect of Islam. Instead, he
sought to change the entire edifice of society, from the individual and
his behavior to the government and what principles it is guided by.
It is well-beyond the scope of this work to detail the different
arenas in which ibn Abdul-Wahhaab eradicated evil and brought about
positive results. Actually, many of them have been touched upon in
this and the previous chapter. At least a brief outline of the different
aspects of ibn Abdul-Wahhaab’s reform, his ordering good and
eradicating evil, his changing of society, is warranted. 2
1 Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhaab, Muallifaat, vol. 4, section on Fataawa, pp. 33-
34.
2 For more details concerning each topic listed below, see Usrah, pp. 229-405.
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