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Wahhābism

Wahhābism is an Islamic religious sect that first arose on the Arabian Peninsula in the 18th century. The sect was founded by Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhäb (1703–1787), who wanted to preserve the purity of Islam. Adherents of this religion are called Wahhâbïs or Muwahhidūn (“Unitarians”), a name that reflects their extreme approach to monotheism. Wahhābism is a revivalist or puritanical interpretation of Islam that requires its followers and other Muslims strictly to observe the traditional duties and observances of Islam, including using the Islamic or Hijri calendar, which has 354 days in a year, divided into 12 lunar months of either 29 or 30 days (29.5 days is the time taken by the moon to complete a full circle around the earth). This calendar is used both to date events and as a way for devout Muslims to track the observance of Islamic holy days.

History

Born in 'Uyaynah in Arabia, Ibn 'Abd al-Wahhäb preached a very austere interpretation of Islamic doctrine that attempted to return Islam to its original form by forbidding some of the practices and customs (such as Sufism) that had crept in over time and that did not have their basis in the Qur'an or sunnah (those religious practices that were instituted by Muhammad or his companions). Adherence to traditional means of marking the passage of time and the celebration of religious holidays was instituted as a mandatory practice for all Wahhâbïs, who follow the Umra al-Qura calendar (based on precise observations of the new crescent moon in Riyäd), whereby Islamic months begin at sunset of the day when the hiläl or lunar crescent is first visually sighted.

The Ibn 'Abd al-Wahhäb considered those who disagreed with his teachings, including the dating of religious observances and holidays, to be heretics, and justified the use of force in imposing his doctrine on others through the concept of jihad, or “holy war.” He eventually settled in the Nejd desert, and through an alliance with the ruling Sa'ud family clan, was able to resist the suppression of the Ottoman emperors and those Muslims who resisted his extremist views. The Sa'udis rapidly expanded their territory during the 18th and 19th centuries, establishing a new capital in Riyäd and founding the present-day Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and adopting Wahhabï doctrines and practices as the official state religion.

Beliefs

Wahhābism is a monotheistic religion that is founded upon the principle of tawhïd, a belief in the Divine Oneness. Tracking and observing religious events at the times ordained by the Qur'an is an important element of Wahhābism, since it both reflects and reinforces the centrality of God in everyday life. Wahhabis follow only the teachings and writings of the Prophet Muhammad and his companions and those of the generation immediately following, and consider any Islamic customs and practices that were introduced by the generations that came after the prophet as bid'ah (innovations) that are forbidden to Wahhâbï followers—such practices include any use of modern or Westernized means of tracking time or calculating the placement of religious holidays (such as the Gregorian or Julian calendars). Adherence to Wahhâbï and Islamic doctrinal practices is enforced by the mutawwïü or religious police (“enforcers of obedience”), who monitor private as well as public observance of Islamic and Wahhâbï doctrine. Wahhabis emphasize the simplicity of Islam, including traditional ways of observing the passage of time, believing that religious observance must inform every part of public and private life in order to create a just and holy society.

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