Wahhabs

Wahhabs, sometimes referred to as Wahhabis, describe a Sunni Islamic reform movement that originated in the Najd region of central Arabia in the 18th century. The movement is associated with Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab (1703–1792), whose writings urged a return to what he viewed as the pure practices of the early Muslim community. Because the term is used by outsiders, adherents often identify as Salafi or simply as followers of Ibn Abd al-Wahhab’s teachings.

Beliefs and practices center on a strict interpretation of tawhid, the oneness of God, and a rejection of practices deemed bid’ah (innovations) or shirk (polytheism). Followers advocate purging religious life of innovations, gravitating toward a direct, text-based approach to the Quran and hadith. They emphasize personal piety, moral conduct, and obedience to legitimate political authority, while typically resisting popular saint veneration and shrine worship that they consider excessive.

Historical development and influence began with an alliance formed in the mid-18th century between Ibn Abd al-Wahhab and the House of Saud. This pact helped propel Wahhabi ideas into political power, contributing to the establishment of a Saudi state and the spread of Wahhabi-influenced religious institutions across the Arabian Peninsula. In the modern era, Wahhabi and broader Salafi ideas have been closely associated with the religious establishment and state-funded education in Saudi Arabia, shaping curricula, preaching, and social norms.

Contemporary assessments of Wahhabism vary. Critics link it to intolerance toward rival Islamic interpretations and strict social codes, while supporters frame it as a reformist revival aimed at restoring what they see as authentic Islam. The movement’s legacy continues to influence debates on religious pluralism, reform, and political authority in parts of the Muslim world.