Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab Aqidatuhu al-Salafiyya wa Dawatuhu al-Islahiyya wa Thana al-Ulama Alayh
- Author died
- 1423 AH
- Editions
- Matba'at al-Hukumah bi-Makkah al-Mukarramah
Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab: Aqidatuhu al-Salafiyya wa Dawatuhu al-Islahiyya wa Thana al-Ulama Alayh (Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab: His Salafi Creed, Reformist Call, and the Scholars' Praise of Him) is a biographical and theological study by the Qatari jurist and judge Ahmad ibn Hajar Al Butami (d. 1423 AH / 2002 CE) . The work examines the life, teachings, and reform movement of Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab (1115–1206 AH / 1703–1792 CE), defending his adherence to the Sunni creed and compiling testimonies regarding his legacy .
Background and Purpose
Al-Butami wrote the book as a concise vindication of Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab against allegations and polemics . In the introduction, the author states that the reformer sought to restore pure monotheism (tawhid), reject religious innovations (bida'), and revive neglected Islamic practices . He attributes the widespread hostility against the movement historically to propaganda by Ottoman authorities and the Sharifs of Mecca, as well as to books written without firsthand verification of Ibn Abd al-Wahhab's writings .
Contents and Structure
The book begins with introductory prefaces and an overview of the religious and social conditions in the Arabian Peninsula prior to the reform movement . It then addresses key aspects of Ibn Abd al-Wahhab's life and mission:
- Biography and Studies: It outlines his birth in al-Uyaynah in 1115 AH (1703 CE), his early education under his father in Hanbali jurisprudence, Quranic exegesis (tafsir), and hadith, and his study of the works of Ibn Taymiyya and Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya .
- The Reform Movement and Alliance: It details his preaching, travels, and his subsequent pact with Imam Muhammad ibn Saud, highlighting the expansion of the movement and the implementation of Islamic governance .
- Theological Position: It argues that Ibn Abd al-Wahhab introduced no novel doctrines and remained strictly aligned with the creed of the early Muslim generations (al-Salaf al-Salih) .
- Scholarly Testimonies: A central section of the book compiles statements and evaluations from forty-two scholars, historians, researchers, and Western orientalists—both Muslim and non-Muslim, allies and detractors—documenting their assessments of the movement over forty-one pages .
Publication History and Editorial Work
The work has been issued in multiple editions:
- First Edition: Carried an introductory foreword by Ali Subh al-Madani .
- Second Edition: Reviewed, corrected, and introduced by Shaykh Abd al-Aziz ibn Abd Allah ibn Baz in a preface dated 22 Rabi' al-Awwal 1393 AH, while serving as president of the Islamic University of Medina . Ibn Baz corrected typographical errors, added several explanatory footnotes marked with his own name to differentiate them from the author's notes, and endorsed eleven additional scholarly citations (items 32 through 42) added by al-Butami . This edition was issued in Riyadh by the General Presidency of Scholarly Research and Ifta .
- Subsequent Printings: Printed by royal order of King Faisal ibn Abd al-Aziz in 1395 AH (1975 CE) at the Government Press in Mecca , and later published in a fourth edition by al-Dar al-Salafiyya .
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