Itimad Dawat al-Shaykh Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab ala al-Kitab wa al-Sunna - Manna al-Qattan

Iʿtimād Daʿwat al-Shaykh Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd al-Wahhāb ʿalā al-Kitāb wa-l-Sunnah (The Reliance of Shaykh Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab's Call on the Book and the Sunnah) is a research treatise by the Egyptian scholar and former Director of Higher Studies at Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Manna al-Qattan (d. 1420 AH / 1999 CE) Itimad Dawat al-Shaykh Mu…. The work examines the methodology of Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab's reform movement, demonstrating its reliance on the Quran and the Sunnah as primary sources and refuting claims that it constituted an innovative or distinct sect Itimad Dawat al-Shaykh Mu…+1.

Historical and Geographical Context

Al-Qattan introduces the study by analyzing the environmental, social, and political conditions of the Arabian Peninsula, specifically Najd and al-Yamama Itimad Dawat al-Shaykh Mu…+1. He describes the rugged geography and nomadic life that fostered toughness, tribal loyalty, and independence, citing Ibn Khaldun's observation that Arab tribes historically unified only under a religious authority Itimad Dawat al-Shaykh Mu…+1.

The treatise traces the political history of the region from early Islamic times through the Umayyad and Abbasid eras, the Qarmatian invasion of al-Yamama in 317 AH, and the fragmentation into numerous rival emirates by the 12th century AH—such as Al Mu'ammar in al-Uyayna, Al Saud in Dir'iyyah, Al Dawwas in Riyadh, Banu Khalid in al-Ahsa, Al Hazzal in Najran, Al Ali in Ha'il, and Al Hujaylan in al-Qasim Itimad Dawat al-Shaykh Mu…+1. Al-Qattan notes that this political isolation coincided with religious decline, marked by the prevalence of superstitions, veneration of trees, stones, and graves, and a scarcity of scholars actively opposing these practices Itimad Dawat al-Shaykh Mu….

Legislative Foundations in the Quran and Sunnah

The author establishes the Quran and the Sunnah as the twin foundations of Islamic law and reform Itimad Dawat al-Shaykh Mu…+1. Drawing on al-Shafi'i's al-Risala, al-Qattan classifies Quranic rulings into:

1. Explicit textual ordinances (such as the obligatory pillars of worship and core prohibitions) Itimad Dawat al-Shaykh Mu….
2. Broad general principles detailed by the Prophet's words and actions (such as the timings of prayer, zakat thresholds, and transactional laws) Itimad Dawat al-Shaykh Mu….
3. Matters established directly by the Sunnah where no explicit Quranic text exists, which Muslims are divinely commanded to obey Itimad Dawat al-Shaykh Mu….

Al-Qattan emphasizes that obedience to the Prophet is an independent obligation and that resolving scholarly disputes requires referring back directly to revelation Itimad Dawat al-Shaykh Mu…+1.

Methodological Analysis of the Reform Movement

Al-Qattan analyzes Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab's writings across three main dimensions:

Scriptural Adherence and Stance on Disagreement

The author demonstrates through Ibn Abd al-Wahhab's correspondences and fatwas—including his answers to Muhammad ibn Mani' and Abd al-Aziz al-Husayn—that he prioritized textual evidence when opinions differed, while maintaining reverence for classical jurists Itimad Dawat al-Shaykh Mu…+2. Al-Qattan outlines the four overarching principles formulated by Ibn Abd al-Wahhab:

1. The prohibition of speaking about God without knowledge Itimad Dawat al-Shaykh Mu….
2. Matters on which revelation is silent remain exempt ('afw) and cannot be arbitrarily prohibited or obligated Itimad Dawat al-Shaykh Mu….
3. Abandoning unambiguous texts (al-muhkam) in favor of ambiguous expressions (al-mutashabih) is the practice of deviant groups Itimad Dawat al-Shaykh Mu….
4. Matters fall into the clear lawful, the clear unlawful, and ambiguous doubtful matters between them Itimad Dawat al-Shaykh Mu….

The treatise cites Ibn Abd al-Wahhab's letter to the people of al-Qasim repudiating allegations spread by Sulayman ibn Suhaym, specifically denying that he declared Muslims of preceding centuries to be disbelievers, rejected the four legal schools, prohibited visiting the Prophet's grave, or claimed independent absolute ijtihad Itimad Dawat al-Shaykh Mu….

Method in Creed (Aqidah)

Al-Qattan illustrates that Ibn Abd al-Wahhab's primary doctrinal focus was monotheism (tawhid) and rejecting polytheistic practices Itimad Dawat al-Shaykh Mu…. Analyzing works such as Kitab al-Tawhid, Kashf al-Shubuhat, and al-Usul al-Thalatha, he shows that each chapter is systematically structured by stating the theme, citing supporting Quranic verses, authentic hadiths, and statements of the salaf, followed by deduced points of benefit (masa'il) Itimad Dawat al-Shaykh Mu…+2.

Method in Jurisprudence (Fiqh)

Although trained in the Hanbali school, Ibn Abd al-Wahhab did not adhere blindly to it when textual evidence supported a different ruling Itimad Dawat al-Shaykh Mu…. Al-Qattan provides examples from the chapters on ritual purification (such as the rulings on siwak and tayammum) and congregational prayer in Adab al-Mashi ila al-Salat Itimad Dawat al-Shaykh Mu…+2. He also highlights Ibn Abd al-Wahhab's major compilation of 4,600 legal hadiths (ahadith al-ahkam) arranged according to jurisprudence chapters, evidencing his reliance on scriptural evidence in legal rulings Itimad Dawat al-Shaykh Mu….