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The Life, Teachings and Influence of Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhaab
students. 1 To meet some of their needs, it is even narrated that ibn
Abdul-Wahhaab established a kind of “brotherhood” between those
who migrated to al-Diriyyah and the residents of al-Diriyyah, much
like the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) did with
the emigrants to Madinah and the residents of Madinah. 2
Around these devoted students of Islam, Muhammad ibn
Abdul-Wahhaab developed a new Islamic state and society. The law
of Islam was the law of the land. People had a new-found respect for
the Quran and Sunnah. The prayers were attended, zakat was given
and so forth. In fact, Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhaab recognized that
establishing such a society was part of his responsibility as a person
whose words and directives were listened to. After stating that he is a
person whose instructions are heeded, he wrote in a letter, “I oblige
those under my authority to establish the prayers, give the zakat and
perform the other obligations toward Allah. And I forbid them riba
(interest), alcohol and other forbidden acts.” 3
After some time, it became apparent to Uthmaan ibn
Muammar that he had made a mistake in asking ibn Abdul-Wahhaab
to leave al-Uyainah. He went with a number of nobles from his clan to
meet with ibn Abdul-Wahhaab in al-Diriyyah and to request him to
return to al-Uyaynah. Ibn Abdul-Wahhab’s response was that the
matter was in the hands of Muhammad ibn Saud who wisely declined
Uthmaan’s request. 4
1 Ibn Bishr, vol. 1, p. 39.
2 Cf., al-Husain, p. 194.
3 Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhaab, Muallifaat, vol. 7, p. 150.
4 Ibn Ghannaam, vol. 1, p. 82; ibn Bishr, vol. 1, p. 36. Ibn Ghannaam has some
rather harsh words for Uthmaan, stating that after he was turned down, he left
secretly hiding his grudge against the situation that was to manifest itself
later. After that time, Uthmaan once again supported the call of ibn Abdul-
Wahhaab. Indeed, he was even the military leader on a number of expeditions.
(See ibn Ghannaam, vol. 1, pp. 95-96.) However, it soon became clear that he
was conspiring against ibn Abdul-Wahhaab and the new rule in al-Diriyyah. In
one early battle, he disobeyed orders to attend the battle with his troops. He
came apologizing later and his apology was accepted. However, after that
Uthmaan wrote to Ibraaheem ibn Sulaimaan, the Ameer of Tharmudaa, and
told him to join forces with ibn Abdul-Wahhaab’s arch-enemy Dahhaam in
Riyadh. (See ibn Ghannaam, vol. 1, pp. 93-94). His apologies were always
accepted and then followed with treachery. Ibn Bishr (vol. 1, p. 55) states that
Uthmaan was also influenced by letters from ibn Afaaliq in al-Ahsaa, the land
of the Tribe of Khalid, encouraging him to cut off all support to ibn Abdul-
Wahhaab. Finally, after much intrigue on his part, in 1163 A.H. (1750 C.E.),