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The Life, Teachings and Influence of Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhaab
reason for this is to demonstrate that although the means of
communication and media were not that strong, the teachings of ibn
Abdul-Wahhaab had become known and to some extent accepted long
before the “oil money” started pouring into Saudi Arabia. Of course,
with the new riches and with breakthroughs in communication, it was
possible for ibn Abdul-Wahhaab’s teachings to spread to an even
greater extent. Thus, if one wanted to review ibn Abdul-Wahhaab’s
influence today, it would be too great to capture. Virtually, every
country and Muslim community is familiar with his teachings.
Furthermore, his teachings are such—being so consistent with the
Quran and Sunnah—that as soon as many Muslims hear them, it
resonates in their hearts and mind. They readily accept such teachings
regardless of whether they are told that such teachings have been
propagated by ibn Abdul-Wahhaab or not. 1
Below is a discussion of some of the groups and individual it is
said were influenced by or were supporters of Muhammad ibn Abdul-
Wahhaab. 2
1 It should be noted that the religious people of Saudi Arabia have found
themselves in a no-win situation. When they take the wealth that Allah has
provided for them and use it to build mosques, schools and centers throughout
the world, they are accused of “propagating their brand of Islam.” However, if
they would not use that money in such a fashion, one would undoubtedly hear
cries about how much wealth Allah has given these people and yet they do not
use it to help their brethren Muslims.
2 It is customary in biographical works to record the praises of the individual
being discussed. However, perhaps due to all of the opposition and false
propaganda concerning ibn Abdul-Wahhaab, numerous authors have recorded
the scholars’ and researchers’ words of praise for Muhammad ibn Abdul-
Wahhaab. Thus, for example, Usrah (pp. 115-125) records Muhammad ibn
Ismaaeel al-Sanaani, ibn Bishr, Muhammad ibn Ali al-Shaukaani, Muhammad
ibn Ahmad al-Hifdhi (a scholar from al-Aseer in the south), Mahmood Shukri
al-Aloosi, Umraan ibn Ridhwaan from Persia, Sulaimaan ibn Sahmaan and
others. Al-Ruwaishid has eighty-five pages (vol. 2, pp. 275-360) of scholarly
opinions concerning ibn Abdul-Wahhaab, quoting about fifty Muslim scholars,
writers, Orientalists and historians.
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