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The Life, Teachings and Influence of Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhaab
However, the important point that each and every Muslim must
remember is not the number of companions but whether they are in
fact along the Straight Path that is pleasing to Allah. As long as one
can be certain that what he is following or believing in can be clearly
proven from the Quran and Sunnah—the ultimate authorities—he
never has to worry whether or not it is consistent with what the masses
are following. In fact, Allah told the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allah be upon him),
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“Yet no faith will the greater part of mankind have, however ardently
you [O Muhammad] do desire it” (Yoosuf 103)
Ibn Abdul-Wahhaab is one scholar who clearly understood this
concept and realized that a Muslim must be ready to face a situation
where he, by following the truth, is very much in the minority and
may even be despised. However, the truth must always be supported
and adhered to, no matter how great the opposition. Such is a virtuous
act indeed. In responding to a question put forth to him, ibn Abdul-
Wahhaab wrote, “Know first that if the truth shines forth and is clear,
it is not harmed by the large numbers who oppose it and the small
numbers who agree with it. You know how some aspects of tauheed
have become strange, although they are clearer than the prayer and
fasting; and that [strangeness] does not harm it at all.” 1 Ibn Abdul-
Wahhaab also wrote, “I do not know of anything more virtuous in
getting one nearer to Allah than adhering to the path of the Messenger
of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) during times of
‘strangeness.’ If one adds to that striving against the disbelievers and
hypocrites, that forms the completeness of faith. In fact, the most
virtuous jihad is striving against the hypocrites during times of
‘strangeness.’” 2
Vassiliev wrote, “In the present writer’s opinion, however, the
Wahhabis were sectarians precisely because they opposed Sunnism in
its then dominant form, even though from the position of wanting to
‘purify’ it.” 3 What Vassiliev touched upon is actually very important
in evaluating the “Wahhabis” or any similar call. It may be one of the
1 Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhaab, Muallifaat, vol. 3, section on Fatawa, p. 88.
2 Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhaab, Muallifaat, vol. 7, p. 288.
3 Vassiliev, p. 75.
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