Ahdaf Dawat al-Shaykh Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab

Ahdaf Dawat al-Shaykh Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab (The Goals of the Call of Shaykh Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab) is a treatise by the Saudi scholar Ibrahim bin Uthman al-Faris examining the core objectives and theological foundations of Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab's reform movement al-Dawa al-Islahiyya fi B…+1. The book was published in Riyadh by Dar al-Asimah al-Dawa al-Islahiyya fi B….

Background and Purpose

In his opening dedication, al-Faris states that he composed the work both to elucidate the true nature and goals of the movement for those seeking a clearer understanding and to address objections raised by opponents due to misunderstanding Ahdaf Dawat al-Shaykh Muh…. The author notes that the conception and formulation of the study were notably influenced by an article by Abd Allah Khayyat titled Harakat al-Islah al-Dini fi al-Qarn al-Thani Ashar (The Religious Reform Movement in the Twelfth Century), published in Majallat al-Buhuth al-Islamiyyah Ahdaf Dawat al-Shaykh Muh….

The treatise begins by outlining the socio-religious conditions of Najd before the reformist call, characterized by the spread of polytheistic practices and religious innovations Ahdaf Dawat al-Shaykh Muh…. It highlights Ibn Abd al-Wahhab’s early education, the opposition and expulsion he faced in al-Uyaynah, his subsequent migration to Diriyah, and his historic pact with Imam Muhammad ibn Saud to support the revival of Islamic monotheism Ahdaf Dawat al-Shaykh Muh….

Structure and Core Objectives

The book structures the mission of Ibn Abd al-Wahhab around three principal goals, drawing directly upon his personal letters, treatises, and historical chronicles Ahdaf Dawat al-Shaykh Muh…:

• Realization of True Servitude to God (Iydah Ubudiyyat al-Makhluq lil-Khaliq): Focuses on purifying monotheism (tawhid) from polytheism (shirk), invalidating improper intercession and invocation directed to saints and righteous figures (ibtal al-tawassul bi-l-awliya wa-l-salihin), and severing devotional attachments to graves while preserving legislated respect for the righteous and contemplative cemetery visitation Ahdaf Dawat al-Shaykh Muh…+1. It emphasizes disavowing false objects of worship (al-kufr bi-l-taghut)—detailing the five primary types of taghut identified by Ibn Abd al-Wahhab—and warning against the detrimental effects of religious innovations (bida'), which undermine adherence to prophetic guidance Ahdaf Dawat al-Shaykh Muh…+1.
• Educational and Organizational Care for Muslim Society (al-Ihtimam bi-l-Mujtama' al-Islami): Highlights the instruction of the general public—both nomadic Bedouins and settled inhabitants—in foundational religious principles through wisdom and good exhortation Ahdaf Dawat al-Shaykh Muh…. It addresses uniting divided communities, eliminating local tribal strife and injustice, and freeing society from uncritical imitation (taqlid) by adhering to the Quran, the Sunnah, and the consensus of the early generations, while working within the framework of the four recognized Sunni schools of law rather than claiming absolute legal reasoning (ijtihad mutlaq) Ahdaf Dawat al-Shaykh Muh…+2.
• Establishing the Religion Through Legitimate Means (Iqamat Din Allah): Encompasses declaring armed struggle (jihad) against active combatants and subverters of the faith, implementing Islamic law in governance and legal adjudications, applying prescribed penal codes (hudud), and enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong (al-amr bi-l-ma'ruf wa-l-nahy 'an al-munkar) under its proper conditions of sound knowledge, gentleness, patience, and preventing worse societal harm Ahdaf Dawat al-Shaykh Muh…+1.

Creedal Statement

The work concludes with a dedicated chapter reproducing the full text of Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab's creedal epistle sent to the people of al-Qasim Ahdaf Dawat al-Shaykh Muh…. This document summarizes his adherence to the doctrine of Ahl al-Sunnah wa-l-Jama'ah, including affirming the divine attributes without anthropomorphism or denial, believing that the Quran is the uncreated speech of God, affirming the resurrection, the divine decree (qadar), the Prophet's basin and intercession, the rank of the companions and the mothers of the believers, obedience to legitimate rulers, and refraining from excommunicating Muslims on account of major sins short of polytheism Ahdaf Dawat al-Shaykh Muh…+3.