al-Jawahir al-Mudiyya li-Mujaddid al-Dawa al-Najdiyya

al-Jawahir al-Mudiyya li-Mujaddid al-Dawa al-Najdiyya (The Luminous Jewels Concerning the Renewer of the Najdi Call), also titled al-Jawahir al-Mudiyya fi Bayan Aqidat Ahl Najd al-Salafiyya, is a theological work and collection of epistolary treatises by Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab (1115–1206 AH / 1703–1792 CE) that outlines his creed and doctrinal message Majmuat al-Rasail wal-Mas…+1.

Overview and Publication

The compilation brings together several short treatises and open letters written by Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab to articulate his theological positions, clarify the nature of monotheism (tawhid), and respond to the accusations leveled against his teachings Majmuat al-Rasail wal-Mas…+1. The work was published in its first edition in 1349 AH (1930 CE) at Matba'at al-Manar in Cairo under the patronage of King Abd al-Aziz Al Saud as a religious endowment (waqf) not intended for sale, appearing as part of the broader compilation Majmuat al-Rasail wal-Masail al-Najdiyya Majmuat al-Rasail wal-Mas….

Contents and Themes

The collection opens with a general epistle addressed from Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab to all Muslims whom the letter reaches, wherein he declares that his religious belief conforms strictly to the path of Ahl al-Sunna wal-Jama'a and the tradition of the four Sunni legal imams and their followers al-Jawahir al-Mudiyya li-….

The primary subjects covered across the treatises include:

• The Clarification of Tawhid: Distinguishing between tawhid al-rububiyya (the unity of divine lordship) and tawhid al-uluhiyya or tawhid al-ibada (the unity of worship and divine service), arguing that mere affirmation of God's role as creator and provider does not suffice for Islam without dedicating all acts of worship exclusively to God al-Jawahir al-Mudiyya li-…+1.
• Forms of Polytheism (shirk): Detailing both open and hidden polytheism (al-shirk al-jali wal-khafi), including invoking prophets or deceased righteous individuals, taking intermediaries (wasa'it) for intercession, and directing acts such as slaughter (dhabh), vows (nadhr), reliance (tawakkul), and prostration (sujud) to any entity other than God Majmuat al-Rasail wal-Mas…+1.
• The Meaning of the Testimonial of Faith: Explaining the doctrinal significance of the formula la ilaha illa Allah as requiring inward commitment and rejection of false deities rather than mere verbal pronunciation al-Jawahir al-Mudiyya li-….
• Hypocrisy: Delineating between creedal hypocrisy (al-nifaq al-itiqadi) and practical hypocrisy (al-nifaq al-amali) Majmuat al-Rasail wal-Mas…+1.

In the introductory epistle, the author also touches upon his personal circumstances, stating that as an authority of respected standing in his town, he enforced regular prayer and zakat and prohibited usury (riba) and intoxicants, but encountered strong opposition from local leaders when he condemned customary devotional practices directed toward intermediaries and the righteous al-Jawahir al-Mudiyya li-…+1.