Wahhabi Islam – From Revival and Reform to Global Jihad

Dimensions:

• 24 × 10 × 17 cm

Book Author:

• Natana J. Delong-Bas

Cover Type:

• Hardcover

Pages:

• 370

Publisher:

• Islamic International Publishing House, Riyadh

Book Description: Before 9/11, few Westerners had heard of Wahhabism. Today, it is a household word, often mentioned alongside figures like Osama bin Laden. The media typically portrays Wahhabism as an intolerant, puritanical, militant interpretation of Islam, one that advocates for the destruction of the West. However, in her study of the writings of Wahhabism’s founder, Muhammad Ibn Abd al-Wahhab (1702-1791), Natana DeLong-Bas dispels these stereotypes and misconceptions.

Ibn Abd al-Wahhab, a well-trained and widely traveled scholar, was also a prolific writer. His works, spanning fourteen volumes, include hadith collections, a biography of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, fatawa (juridical opinions), exegetical commentaries on the Qur'an, Islamic jurisprudence, theological treatises, and discussions of jihad and the status of women.

DeLong-Bas highlights that Ibn Abd al-Wahhab’s scholarship stands in stark contrast to the limited rulings issued by figures like Osama bin Laden. His emphasis on adhering to Qur'anic values, preserving human life even in jihad, supporting religious tolerance, and advocating a balance of rights between men and women leads to a very different worldview from that of contemporary extremists.

"Wahhabi Islam: From Revival and Reform to Global Jihad" presents Ibn Abd al-Wahhab's writings on theology, Islamic law, women and gender, and jihad, revealing a more moderate and nuanced interpretation of Islam. It challenges the perception of Wahhabism as a source of militant extremism and presents a new understanding that promotes dialogue, debate, and limitations on violence. This book also compares Ibn Abd al-Wahhab’s views with those of other scholars to explore the roots of militant extremism in modern jihadist ideologies.