The Life, Teachings and Influence of Muhammad ... - IslamHouse.com

The Life, Teachings and Influence of Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhaab
al-Qasaab, Ameer Shakeeb Arsalaan and Muhammad Kurd Ali. The
political and social environment was very difficult in Syria for anyone
to openly and clearly espousing the views of ibn Abdul-Wahhaab but
many of the above (such as Arsalaan and Kurd Ali) clearly mentioned
the “Wahhabis” by name and stated that they were calling to the way
of the Quran and Sunnah. 1 Another scholar who was most open in
support of the doctrines of Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhaab was
Muhammad al-Attar (1763-1827 C.E.). However, due to that he “lived
in seclusion and had few students because people shunned him.” 2
These salafi scholars of this era, including al-Qaasimi, also had good
ties with Muhammad Rasheed Ridha, who was prominent in
disseminating the writings of both ibn Taimiyyah and ibn Abdul-
Wahhaab. 3
Egypt
The historian and Azhari scholar Abdul-Rahmaan al-Jabarti
(1167-1237 A.H.) was very influenced and impressed by the followers
of ibn Abdul-Wahhaab and he spread their thoughts in Egypt. He saw
in them the greatest potential to revive the Muslim world. 4
One of the most influential and controversial figures in the
Muslim world at the beginning of the 20 th century was Muhammad
Abduh. He was probably familiar with ibn Abdul-Wahhaab’s
teachings. Actually, Fauzaan al-Saabiq, the first “Saudi ambassador”
to Egypt, praises him. He did believe in opposing innovations and
superstitious beliefs as well as opening the door to ijtihaad and freer
thought. In the process, he opposed Sufism. That was probably the
extent to which there was any agreement between the two sets of
teachings. Otherwise, although called by many a salafi (“a follower of
the early, pious generations), Abduh had no interest in going back to
the way Islam was understood and practiced by the Companions of the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Instead, he
1 See al-Abood, vol. 2, pp. 410-411.
2 Commins, p. 59.
3 For other aspects of ibn Abdul-Wahhaab’s influence in “Greater Syria,” see al-
Abood, vol. 2, pp. 395-412.
4 See al-Zuhaili, vol. 2, p. 334.
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