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The Life, Teachings and Influence of Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhaab
forbidden and some are forbidden because they are means that may
eventually lead to idolatry. His claim that all previous generations of
Muslims and even the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon
him) himself approved of such claims is nothing but falsehood. At the
very least, he should have provided at least one hadith to show that the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) approved of such
acts.
In a blatant act of lying, he states that ibn Abdul-Wahhaab
“ascribed a human form to God.” 1 This ridiculous statement is not
even deserving of a comment.
He then states, “Ibn Abd al-Wahhab further condemned as
unbelievers those who did not observe all the prescribed times of
prayer, a position absent from traditional Islam.” 2 As was noted
earlier, ibn Abdul-Wahhaab himself specifically refrained from
making the judgment about those who did not pray because, as he
said, the scholars had differed on that issue. His statement, “a position
absent from traditional Islam,” may make the reader believe that no
earlier scholars held that position. Actually, some scholars have
always held that position. But what he means by “traditional Islam” is
actually only the traditional practices of the Sufis, whether they be
ignorant or not.
Schwartz also says, “He demanded that the Muslim profession
of faith be made a second time, as an adherent to his Wahhabi sect.” 3
Again, this is pure falsehood that Schwartz does not reference
whatsoever. 4
Schwartz then mentions some of the acts, which in ibn Abdul-
Wahhaab’s views are bidah or innovations, that ibn Abdul-Wahhaab
opposed, although he has a tendency to embellish the picture or not
give the entire picture. For example, he states that ibn Abdul-Wahhaab
“condemned the habit of those making hajj in Mecca to visit the
Prophet’s tomb in Medina.” 5
1 Schwartz, p. 69.
2 Schwartz, p. 69.
3 Schwartz, p. 69.
4 It is easy to write without having to reference one’s material, as then one can
write whatever one wishes to write. Indeed, in that case, one can even include
material from the most unreliable of sources.
5 Schwartz, p. 70.