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

The Life, Teachings and Influence of Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhaab
A prominent figure of his era and his society, he [Muhammad ibn
Abdul-Wahhaab] was a man of great courage and passion. A
remarkable boldness was needed to challenge the entire religious
system of Arabia at that time and face the advocates of the old. His
life was constantly under threat and he was sent into exile three
times, but this did not crush his will. Through his passionate
speeches and his eloquence, Ibn Abd al-Wahhab made a major
contribution to the success of the religious movement he had
started and to the expansion of the Saudi state. According to Ibn
Bishr, Ibn Abd al-Wahhab ‘raised the banner of jihad, though there
had been nothing but riots and murders before him.’ Mengin notes
that ‘he was extremely persuasive and won hearts by his speeches.’ 1
He was known to be very humble and beloved to the people.
Ibn Bishr stated, “We have not heard of anyone softer or kinder than
him to the students of knowledge, to the questioner, to the one in
need…” 2 He was also very generous and simple, never fearing poverty
and never attracted by the riches of this world. Although after some
time the treasury of al-Diriyyah began to have great wealth and
although he was the leading spiritual figure and teacher, he did not
take any stipend from the public treasury. 3 He would distribute any
wealth he would receive and was often in debt due to his taking care
of students, guests and travelers. 4 When he died, he left behind no
wealth—in fact, he had debts that were paid by others on his behalf. 5
He was not overbearing when it came to his opinions. When he
was unaware of something, he would readily admit that. He would
make statements like, “I do not know anything concerning that issue.” 6
In a letter he wrote to a group of scholars, he said about himself, “I do
not claim to be free of mistakes.” 7 He would not be adamant about his
personal opinions nor blindly stick to any scholar or school. In the
same letter referred to above to a group of scholars, ibn Abdul-
Wahhaab also stated, “If I give a ruling or perform any deed and you
1 Vassiliev, p. 89.
2 Ibn Bishr, vol. 1, p. 162.
3 Cf., Abdul-Mushin ibn Baaz, vol. 1, p. 506, quoting from Abdul-Rahmaan ibn
Abdul-Lateef ali-Shaikh.
4 Ibn Bishr, vol. 1, p. 163.
5 Cf., Abdul-Mushin ibn Baaz, vol. 1, p. 507, quoting from Abdul-Rahmaan ibn
Abdul-Lateef ali-Shaikh; ibn Ghannaam, vol. 1, p. 84.
6 Ibn Ghannaam, vol. 1, p. 213. For more examples, see al-Abood, vol. 1, p. 319.
7 Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhaab, Muallifaat, vol. 7, p. 241.
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