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

The Life, Teachings and Influence of Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhaab
Ibn Abdul-Wahhaab’s Methodology
Before discussing the main aspects of ibn Abdul-Wahhaab’s
aqeedah, it is important to first note his methodology concerning
matters of aqeedah. Indeed, of foremost importance in attaining the
proper beliefs is the methodology that one follows when it comes to
matters of faith. The basic principles concerning this matter can easily
be derived from the Quran and Sunnah. However, over the years,
many are the Muslims who have sought to ignore this pristine
methodology and follow instead the ways of the philosophers,
mystics, Jews, Christians and so forth. This is part of what
Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhaab was up against. Much of his
revivalist teachings were concerned with this question of making
people understand on what basis one’s beliefs must be founded.
Ibn Abdul-Wahhaab’s methodology in matters of aqeedah can
be summarized in the following points: 1
(1) The source and foundation of all beliefs must be the
revelation that has come from Allah as found in the Quran and the
Sunnah: The Quran and Sunnah are sufficient in guiding mankind to
all of the essentials of the faith. Hence, the Quran and Sunnah must
take precedence over any other “source” of knowledge. They must
take precedence over human reasoning when such reasoning comes to
a conclusion that definitively contradicts the Quran or Sunnah. 2 This
principle is clearly demonstrated in the writings and teachings of
Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhaab. For example, he wrote, “Your heart
must be certain that the Book of Allah is the best of books and the
greatest of them in clarifying [the truth], curing the ills of ignorance
1 Cf., Abdul-Muhsin ibn Baaz, vol. 1, pp. 271-286.
2 This does not mean that ibn Abdul-Wahhaab considered human reasoning as
having no positive role to play. However, when it comes to matters of the
“unseen” which are beyond the knowledge and understanding of humans, one
must restrict oneself to what has come from Allah via revelation. Furthermore,
as ibn Taimiyyah demonstrated before him, there is nothing in his system of
beliefs that is contradicted by human reasoning. Thus, ibn Abdul-Wahhaab
said, “We have not come with anything that contradicts [the revealed texts]
that have been passed down nor that is rejected by sound reasoning.” Ibn
Abdul-Wahhaab, Muallifaat, vol. 7, p. 98. For more details, see al-Abood, vol. 1,
pp. 334f.
80