al-Daawa al-Muasira al-Munawia li-Dawat al-Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab
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al-Daawa al-Muasira al-Munawia li-Dawat al-Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab (Contemporary Polemical Claims Against the Call of Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab) is a study of contemporary theological and intellectual criticisms directed against the reformist movement of Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, written by Abd al-Majid bin Muhammad al-Wa'lan as a doctoral dissertation in Islamic creed at King Saud University under the supervision of Muhammad ibn Abd Allah al-Suhaym.
Scope and Purpose
The study examines contemporary scholarly and intellectual criticisms of Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab's call across conferences, seminars, books, and websites, specifically delineating the contemporary timeframe as the period following the September 11, 2001 attacks (22 Jumada al-Akhira 1422 AH), during which criticism intensified under discourses concerning extremism and counterterrorism. The author defines the goals of the work as demonstrating the conformity of Ibn Abd al-Wahhab's creed with that of the early Muslim generations (the Salaf), cataloging contemporary criticisms and identifying novel arguments within them, analyzing their underlying causes, goals, and media methods, and identifying their religious, political, and social ramifications alongside preventative measures.
Method and Structure
The book adopts an inductive and analytical approach (al-manhaj al-istiqra'i al-tahlili). In addressing each critique, the author cites the contemporary statement from its source, explains its historical background and earlier proponents if any, outlines the doctrine of Ahl al-Sunna wa-l-Jama'a regarding the matter, and responds either in brief with references to classical refutations for older arguments, or with detailed refutation for novel claims and modern formulations.
The work is organized into an introduction, an introductory preface (tamhid), seven chapters, and a conclusion:
- Introductory Preface: A brief biographical sketch of Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab and an overview of his creed.
- Chapter 1: Claims concerning monotheism and faith (al-tawhid wa-l-iman).
- Chapter 2: Claims concerning political leadership and governance (al-imama).
- Chapter 3: Claims concerning excommunication (al-takfir) and fighting (al-qital).
- Chapter 4: Claims concerning extremism and radicalism (al-ghuluww wa-l-tatarrwf).
- Chapter 5: Claims concerning loyalty and disavowal (al-wala wa-l-bara).
- Chapter 6: The goals, mediums, and rhetoric of contemporary opponents.
- Chapter 7: The consequences of contemporary claims, a structured comparison between early and modern polemics, and proposed methods of prevention.
Findings
The author concludes that contemporary criticisms rely heavily on early arguments, either expanding upon existing disputes—such as issues of worship (tawhid al-uluhiyya) and divine attributes (tawhid al-asma wa-l-sifat) influenced largely by Ash'ari and Maturidi theology—or intensifying historical allegations regarding takfir and violence by linking the call to contemporary militant organizations. The study notes a diversification in the religious, political, and social motives and modern communication mediums used against the movement, contrasting them with the more limited tools of earlier polemicists.
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