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

The Life, Teachings and Influence of Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhaab
Wahhaab, such as when al-Muwais distributed the books of al-
Qabbaani and ibn Afaaliq within Najd. 1
The opponents of ibn Abdul-Wahhaab’s during his own
lifetime include 2:
(i) Sulaimaan ibn Abdul-Wahaab, the brother of Muhammad
ibn Abdul-Wahhaab, was born in al-Uyainah and was a judge in
Huraimila. Later he lived in al-Sudair and died in al-Diriyyah in 1208
A.H. He was one of the staunchest opponents of his brother, trying to
prove that Muhammad was following views that contradicted those of
ibn Taimiyyah and ibn al-Qayyim. He not only tried to convince the
people of Huraimila to leave ibn Abdul-Wahhaab but he also sent a
book to al-Uyainah in which he tried to show the errors of his
brother’s way. In particular, it seems that he disagreed with his brother
when it came to sacrificing and making oaths for other than Allah.
Sulaimaan considered this a minor form of shirk that does not take one
out of the fold of Islam. He further claimed that ibn Taimiyyah and
ibn al-Qayyim were in agreement with his views. 3 There is a
difference of opinion concerning whether Sulaimaan eventually gave
up his opposition and joined the call of his brother Muhammad ibn
Abdul-Wahhaab. Ibn Ghannaam, the earliest chronicler, specifically
states that he repented from his previous position and joined his
brother in al-Diriyyah. 4 Ibn Bishr simply states that he moved to al-
Diriyyah with his family and remained there while receiving a
stipend 5, which may or may not be a sign that he had changed his
views. There is actually a letter that was supposedly written by
Sulaimaan in which he stated that he repented from his earlier views. 6
Al-Bassaam in Ulamaa Najd presents logical evidence to show that
1 Cf., al-Uthaimeen, “al-Rasaail,” vol. 1, pp. 111-113. See the letter of ibn Abdul-
Wahhaab, Muallifaat, vol. 7, p. 20.
2 Below are just some of the more important individuals. For a more complete
discussion of the opponents of ibn Abdul-Wahhaab and the writings against his
teachings during his time and afterwards, see al-Abdul-Lateef, pp. 30-58.
3 See al-Abdul-Lateef, p. 41.
4 Ibn Ghannaam, vol. 1, p. 142. Al-Abood, Abdul-Azeez ibn Baaz, ibn Sahmaan
and others are convinced that Sulaimaan did change his ways and completely
joined with his brother. See al-Abood, vol. 2, pp. 207-211.
5 Ibn Bishr, vol. 1, p. 120.
6 The text of that letter may be found in ibn Sahmaan, pp. 57-61; al-Saabiq, pp.
85-87; al-Husain, pp. 406-409.
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