Takfiri Nature of Wahhabism

Question

Is the Wahhabi sect a takfiri group or not? What evidence is there to support its takfiri nature?

Although Wahhabis themselves deny the takfiri nature of Wahhabism and have presented arguments in their defense, all of these arguments are flawed and do not align with the views and actions of Wahhabis. Based on the statements of the leaders of this sect and the actions of its followers, it is proven that the Wahhabi sect is a takfiri Salafi group. Takfiri Salafism refers to those Salafis who consider their opponents to be infidels. The Kharijites in early Islam can be considered an example of such takfiris, and in the modern era, Wahhabism is an example of takfiri Salafism.

General Opinion of Wahhabis on the Takfiri Nature of Wahhabism

Wahhabis claim that their enemies accuse the sect of believing that all those who are not Wahhabi are infidels, thus comparing the sect to the Kharijites. In defense against this accusation, they argue that this is not true, and that Wahhabis are Hanbali Muslims who adhere to Islamic beliefs as outlined in the Qur'an and Sunna. They claim that the sect emerged in an environment that resembled the idolatry of the pre-Islamic era of ignorance. Therefore, the scholars of Mecca and Najd, following Muhammad b. Abd al-Wahhab, consider anyone who recites the Shahada (the Islamic declaration of faith) to be a Muslim, and it is not permissible to declare them infidels. However, Muhammad b. Abd al-Wahhab considered those who, in his time, merely recited "La ilaha illallah" (There is no god but Allah) without accepting other aspects of the religion to be infidels.

Muhammad b. Abd al-Wahhab's Defense of Himself

Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab himself wrote in a letter to Sheikh Abd al-Rahman al-Suwaydi, one of the scholars of Baghdad: ... وأما التكفير فأنا أكفر من عرف دين رسول الله، ثم بعد أن عرفه سبه ونهى الناس عنه وعادى من فعله فهذا الذي أكفره وأكثر الأمة ولله الحمد ليسوا كذلك : As for takfir, I declare as infidels those who have recognized the religion of the Messenger of God, but then insult it, prevent people from following it, and show hostility towards those who practice it. Thus, I declare such people as infidels, and praise be to God, the majority of the Ummah are not like this.

Criticism of the Wahhabi Defense

The arguments presented in defense of the Wahhabi sect and its founder are an evasion of reality. Firstly, who are the enemies of Wahhabism if not the Muslims who have been declared infidels by this sect from its inception to the present day? This itself is an admission that Wahhabism and its founder have declared Muslims as infidels. Therefore, the existence of these enemies of Wahhabism, who are non-Wahhabi Muslims, is due to the fact that they have been declared infidels by Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab and this sect.

As for the claim that, according to Wahhabism, reciting the Shahada is sufficient to be considered a Muslim, this statement does not align with the beliefs and actions of Wahhabism. All those who believe in intercession, tawassul, seeking blessings, and visiting the graves of prophets and saints recite the Shahada more sincerely and firmly than Wahhabis and believe in it wholeheartedly. Based on this belief, they hold to intercession, tawassul, seeking blessings, and visiting the graves of prophets and saints. However, according to Wahhabism, they are considered polytheists and non-Muslims, and the movement of Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab was based on this premise.

As for what Muhammad b. Abd al-Wahhab wrote in his letter, it is a very baseless and irrational justification. Someone who is hostile to Islam, insults it, and prevents people from embracing it does not need to be declared an infidel, as their disbelief is evident to everyone. The meaning of disbelief is what is stated in the Quran and the Sunnah of the Messenger of God (peace be upon him). Denying any essential element of the religion leads to disbelief, and there is no need to create a movement, a sect, or cause such a commotion. However, the reality is different from what Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab claimed. The tumultuous history of Wahhabism and the beliefs of Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab invalidate this letter.

Shaykh Abd al-Latif's Defense of His Grandfather

Shaykh Abd al-Latif, the son of Shaykh Abd al-Rahman and one of the descendants of Muhammad b. Abd al-Wahhab, in an attempt to remove the label of takfiri from Wahhabism, says: "The claim that Wahhabis seek to declare others as infidels and fight them unless they agree with them is false... No rational person who knows the Sheikh would accept such a thing. Yes, they declare as infidels the people of innovation such as the Qadariyya, Jahmiyya, Rafida, and Kharijites... Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab did not separate from the rest of the Islamic Ummah and did not distance himself from the Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah. The entire discussion revolves around his call to the oneness of God's names and attributes and the oneness of worship, which is agreed upon by all Muslims."

Sheikh Abd al-Latif, in defense of Muhammad b. Abd al-Wahhab's declaration of all Muslim lands as infidels, says: "This statement is also false. No Muslim would say such a thing, let alone a scholar of religion. However, this statement by Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab refers to those who live in the cities of polytheists; those who worship prophets, angels, and the righteous, and make them partners with God, or attribute divine actions to them, such as the Ghulat and Quburiyyun. Muhammad b. Abd al-Wahhab declared these people as infidels, those who believe in intermediaries and intercessors between God and people, and those who seek their needs from other than God."

Criticism of Shaykh Abd al-Latif's Statements

With these justifications and interpretations, not only is the label of takfiri not removed from Wahhabism, but it is confirmed. Firstly, Muhammad b. Abd al-Wahhab's call began in a place where all its inhabitants were Muslims, who prayed, fasted, performed Hajj, and followed one of the four schools of Ahl al-Sunnah, accepting all the commandments of Islam and adhering to them. There were no Jahmiyya, Qadariyya, or followers of other deviant sects there; they were all Ahl al-Sunnah. Muhammad b. Abd al-Wahhab declared them as infidels and called them to his own sect. Secondly, the wars, or as they call them, the "ghazwas" of the Wahhabis, were entirely against the Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah. There were no Jahmiyya, Qadariyya, Kharijites, or even Rafida in the areas of Wahhabi campaigns.

As for the claim that the oneness of God's names and attributes and the oneness of worship are agreed upon by all Muslims, there is no doubt about it. However, the Wahhabis have used this slogan as an excuse to massacre Muslims for their beliefs in intercession, tawassul, seeking blessings, and visiting graves. This is fully reflected in the books of Najd's history, such as "Unwan al-Majd fi Tarikh Najd," and other historical books written by Wahhabis themselves, and it cannot be denied. Moreover, Shaykh Abd al-Latif, whether intentionally or unintentionally, has explicitly mentioned this in his defense, effectively neutralizing his defense of the Wahhabi sect. He explicitly states that Muhammad b. Abd al-Wahhab declared as infidels those cities where polytheists live, and these are people who worship prophets, the righteous, and angels, and seek their needs from them, and believe in intermediaries between God and people. It is clear that this Wahhabi Shaykh is not referring to Christian, Jewish, or Hindu polytheists, but to non-Wahhabi Muslims who hold these beliefs. However, the Wahhabis interpret these beliefs according to their own understanding as worship. In reality, no Muslim worships prophets by showing them respect and seeking their intercession.

According to the Wahhabi perspective, all Muslims are considered polytheists due to their religious practices and are thus deemed deserving of death. This is why all Wahhabi wars have been against Muslims, and in the modern era, their wars with Muslims continue in the form of various groups.