Ordinary Wahhabism, Part 2
Peculiarities of the teaching of "monotheists"

Alexander Ignatenko
Translated from Russian by Olga Yurchenko
Publication date:  4 December 2001

 Click here for part 1

Who "Infidels" Are

Proclaiming strict monotheism, Wahhabis use the absolute meaning of the concepts of infidelity (Arab. kufr) and polytheism (Arab. shirk). This is the main postulate of Wahhabism, and the followers of this teaching call themselves accordingly - monotheists. In the history of Islam as a monotheistic religion, within the framework of jurisprudence (fiqh), theology (kalam), philosophy (falsafah) and theoretical Sufism (tasawwuf), there developed a maximally complete and adequate understanding of the idea of monotheism, as it is described in the Quran and Sunnah. Wahhabis, however, deny the possibility of theological and philosophical interpretation of the texts of the Quran and Sunnah. They define the idea of monotheism from the contrary, by defining what is not monotheism. Consider, for example, the main Wahhabi book, The Book of Monotheism by Ibn Abd al-Wahhab, as well as contemporary Wahhabi writings (see S.W.Fawzan. The Book of Monotheism, Makhachkala, Badr, 1997; M.A.Bashamil. What We Understand by Monotheism, Makhachkala, Badr, 1997). Eight to nine tenths of these books deal with what polytheism is and what infidelity as a denial of monotheism or deviation from it is. So what, in the opinion of Wahhabis, is polytheism and infidelity, and who are polytheists and infidels?

Jews and Christians are regarded as infidels in Wahhabi literature (see Programs of Studying Sharia Sciences. A joint edition of the Saudi Arabia's Ministry for Islamic Affairs, Waqfs, Levy and Orientation, and the Russian Ibrahim Al-Ibrahim fund. Moscow, 1999. Section Hadiths and Terms). Ibn Abd al-Wahhab confirms this postulate in his Book of Monotheism by selected sayings of the prophet Muhammad: "When one of their (Christians'. - A.I.) righteous men or righteous slaves of Allah dies, they build a temple on his grave and draw his images inside it. These (i.e. Christians. - A.I.) are the worst of Allah's creatures!" "May Allah damn Jews and Christians, who turned the graves of their prophets into temples!" (Ibn Abd al-Wahhab. The Book of Monotheism). The infidelity and polytheism of Jews and Christians is the commonplace of Wahhabi writings. Jews and Christians are polytheists because they "chose the graves of their prophets to say their prayers on them" (Programs of Studying Sharia Sciences. Section Foundations of the Islamic Teaching). People who build temples on the graves of their holy men and decorate them with icons "are reckoned among the worst creatures in the face of Allah" (Programs of Studying Sharia Sciences. Section Hadiths and Terms).

Infidels are also the Muslims who, in the opinion of Wahhabis, deviated from monotheism ("apostasy"). Actually, the whole Book of Monotheism by Ibn Abd al-Wahhab is devoted to such deviations. Among these are glorification of the righteous, worship of Allah at the graves of the righteous (wali), worship of deceased righteous men, worship of idols; sorcery, astrology and any kind of prediction, wearing of amulets or any other things that are believed to protect from harm, worship of monuments and statues, glorification of a certain person, and many other deeds and actions (see also: S.W.Fawsan, The Book of Monotheism; M.A.Bashamil, What We Understand by Monotheism). Infidels are also the Muslims who "introduce any innovations in religion" (Programs of Studying Sharia Sciences. Section Hadiths and Terms). Particularly, Sufis are rated among such infidels.

It is a trait inherent in Wahhabism to regard as infidels the Muslims who deviate from monotheism. According to Islamic tradition, the believer who performs what is considered infidelity by Wahhabis (like wearing an amulet, laying flowers to a monument, performing a ziyarat to the grave of the righteous-wali) remains a believer if this action is not a deviation from the symbol of Islamic faith - "There is no God but Allah; Muhammad is his messenger". Wahhabis, however, say that any deviation from monotheism turns a Muslim into an infidel. Thus, he becomes an apostate, and the punishment for apostasy in Islam is death.

Wahhabis assert that neither pronouncing the formula "There is no God but Allah; Muhammad is his messenger", which, in Islam, signifies conversion into a Muslim, nor strict adherence to postulates of Islam can guarantee that a Muslim who deviated from monotheism by act of "infidelity" will remain a Muslim (see Ibn Abd al-Wahhab. The Book of Monotheism). Moreover, Wahhabis declare that a Muslim ceases to be a Muslim if he deviates from monotheism even in the least degree. In this case, his life and property are no longer immune; therefore he may be killed and deprived of his property. "Pronouncement alone does not ensure immunity of life and property, nor does the understanding of the meaning of the evidence ("There is no God but Allah; Muhammad is his messenger." - A.I.), nor the pronouncing and acknowledgement of it, nor appealing in namazes (prayers. - A.I.) to the one and only Allah, who has no companions. The property and life of a man are immune only when everything mentioned above is complemented by a complete rejection of all objects of worship except Allah. Any doubt or hesitation deprives a man of immunity of his property and his life" (Ibn Abd al-Wahhab. The Book of Monotheism).

The so-called "hypocrites" constitute a separate group of infidels. A hypocrite is a Muslim who "demonstrates adherence to Islam and conceals his infidelity" (Programs of Studying Sharia Sciences. Section Foundations of the Islamic Teaching). In other words, Wahhabis can proclaim any Muslim a hypocrite and infidel. "…The one who deviates (from monotheism, as understood by Wahhabis. - A.I.), openly or secretly (sic!), must know that he becomes an infidel and expect a possibility of being killed or confined." (Ben Baz. The Necessity of Obeying the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah and Declaring Those Who Repudiate It Infidels. Riyadh, Waquf Ministry's General Print Board, 2000).

Wahhabis also regard as infidels followers of all ideological movements without exception. Thus, "adherence to atheistic movements, such as communism, secularism, democracy, capitalism and other such movements of infidels is an apostasy from the Islamic religion (S.W.Fawsan. The Book of Monotheism). The list of these ideological movements also includes "Marxist socialism and atheistic masonry" (Zinu. Islamic Akida). Communism is, obviously, an infidelity as well. Naturally, no exception was made for "Judaism, which stands behind everyone and every destructive doctrine subversive of morality and spiritual values", to which also belong "masonry, world Zionism and babuwism". I have no wish to guess what the last word ("babuwism") means.

According to Wahhabis, infidelity is also implementation of any formula of socio-political organization that is not based completely and exceptionally on the Sharia, or Islamic rule, as Wahhabis understand it. Infidelity is "the ruling and judging not in accord with what Allah sent down" (S.W.Fawsan, The Book of Monotheism). Wahhabis regard any legislative human activity as infidelity. Infidelity is "any pretense on the right to ordain laws, to allow and to forbid." Wahhabis call infidel everyone who is involved in the system of social relations, providing for delegation of authority and redistribution of public resources, including exchange of values and services. A polytheist and infidel is also one "who makes appeals to a prophet, king, ruler or anyone else, or asks someone, besides Allah, for help…" (Ibn Abd al-Wahhab. The Book of Monotheism).

Predestined Salvation (The "Saved Group")

Wahhabis claim the Wahhabi movement to be totally impeccable where questions of monotheism are concerned, and usurp the right to judge and penalize "infidels", "polytheists" and "hypocrites." But one thing Wahhabis usually avoid discussing is who or what gave them the right, which in Islam belongs to God and no one else, to take a final judgement on whether a man is a true monotheist (especially in the cases of the so-called "concealed" or "secret" infidelity, i.e. "hypocrisy"), and enforce the penalty for infidelity (including death)? Nobody and nothing in Islam could give them such right.

Wahhabis, however, can't ignore this problem, as their Muslim adversaries always remind them of it. They try to solve this problem in three ways.

First, they allege that they follow true monotheism. They also call themselves Salafi, i.e. those who follow what the Prophet and the first three generations of Muslims followed. Apart from that, they call themselves the "saved group" - this is how one of the Prophet's Hadiths calls the group that will evade the infernal flame on Judgement Day (Zinu. Islamic Akida).

Secondly, to prove this, Wahhabis search out further evidence of their selectness. They claim that the "saved group" "presents a minority" in the umma - community of Muslims (Zinu. Islamic Akida). By the way, this statement proves the minority status of Wahhabis and the sectarian character of their movement.

Wahhabis claim the ethnic character of their movement as another supporting piece of evidence. And they specify what group comprises the true monotheists. In their opinion, these are Arabs. "Arabs are missionaries of Islam… Having brought Islam into life, they will become the best ones on Earth" (Zinu. Islamic Akida). This idea is not backed with a quotation from the Quran or Sunnah; Wahhabis wouldn't be able to do it. From the very beginning Islam was a supranational religion, denying supremacy of one national group over the other. Besides Arabs, initially among the "missionaries of Islam" were also Ethiopians, Persians, Jews, Berbers…

But it is important for Wahhabis to claim it in order to characterize more precisely the group that knows, even before Judgement Day, that it is the "saved" one. Wahhabis describe their own movement as Arabic.

Hate as a Religious Requirement

According to Wahhabis, only complete obedience to the Wahhabi group and active hostility (including killing) towards everyone who doesn't belong to it can prove the man to be a monotheist.

How can the man protect himself from being proclaimed an infidel and thus avoid punishment for his infidelity? There is only one way - he must reject every kind of infidelity and polytheism (see above) and, after repenting his infidelity, adhere to monotheism as Wahhabis understand it. But this cannot spare this man of accusations of hesitation, doubt and hypocrisy, i.e. concealed infidelity, so he can be subjected to takfir, which deprives his life and property of immunity, and be punished (maybe even killed).

If the man is a Muslim in the first place, the decisive argument for his faithfulness to Allah, or the condition by which he can avoid being proclaimed an infidel, is his loyalty to Wahhabis and hostility to every non-Wahhabi. "The only way it can be achieved is by love to those who practice tauhid of Allah (i.e. to monotheists; this is how Wahhabis call themselves. - A.I.), devotion to them, rendering them every kind of help, as well as by hate and hostility to infidels and mushriks (polytheists. - A.I.)". (Ibn Abd al-Wahhab, The Book of Monotheism.)

What marks a member of Wahhabi group is a number of characteristics: particular appearance (men, for example, shave mustaches and don't shave beards) and particular clothes (short trousers, cut up the ankle, etc.). Remarkably enough, even here Wahhabis act from the contrary, implementing the principle of "inadmissibility of the imitation of infidels" (Programs of Studying Sharia Sciences. Section Hadiths and Terms).

But the most important characteristic is that the Muslim who adopts Wahhabism must confirm his monotheism by "hate and hostility." The true monotheist, according to Wahhabis, must hate all those whom Wahhabis regard as infidels, polytheists, and hypocrites. Hate, however, is an emotion that is not easy to control. Wahhabis pay special attention to visible behavior of the man. Visible manifestation of hate is what can preserve the Muslim from accusations in infidelity; otherwise his life and property are deprived of immunity. This hate must be always openly manifested as hostility to infidels. In order to be a Muslim, the man must "be hostile to polytheists and infidels. There are so many Muslims who are pure and free from paganism (polytheism. - A.I.) but are not hostile to pagans (polytheists. - A.I.)! In this case the man can't be a Muslim… Every true Muslim must be hostile to pagans and hate them" (Zinu. Islamic Akida). It is forbidden to have any positive attitude to infidels and do them any good. "Friendliness to infidels and rendering them help are not allowed."

The main Wahhabi punishment for infidelity is death. If the man doesn't obey the Sharia, as understood by Wahhabis, he becomes an infidel. According to Wahhabis, "The Most High said, "The one who let it be like this is an infidel, who should be killed," if he doesn't get back to the Law of Allah and His Messenger" (M.A.-L. Ibrahim. Instituting the Laws of Allah. Makhachkala, Badr, 1997). The killing of infidels according to Wahhabi doctrine must be systematic and orderly, in the form of jihad against infidels.

Armed Struggle Is the Main Form of Jihad as Understood by Wahhabis

According to Wahhabis, jihad as an armed struggle is required for the purpose of spreading their teaching. Jihad is a war against infidels, polytheists and hypocrites. Wahhabis specify various kinds of jihad. Here is an example: "There are four kinds of jihad. 1. Jihad against shaitan. 2. Jihad against the soul. 3. Jihad against infidels. 4. Jihad against hypocrites" (Zinu. Islamic Akida). However, Wahhabi books that were translated into Russian don't specify "jihad against shaitan" and jihad against the soul". All Wahhabi postulates concerning jihad relate to jihad against infidels, polytheists and hypocrites, or rather against those whom Wahhabis call so.

Jihad is defined as an "armed struggle from the position of Islam" (Programs of Studying Sharia Sciences. Section Life of the Prophet), "an armed way of defending the interests of Allah" (Ben Baz. The Necessity of Obeying the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah…). Since Wahhabis understand jihad as an armed struggle, it becomes clear why their texts lack postulates concerning, for example, "jihad against the soul" (that is, moral self-improvement). Arguments for an "armed struggle" of the man against his own vices would look strange.

For Wahhabis, jihad is obligatory. "Jihad is the ultimate manifestation of Islam, as the Messenger said (the words attributed to the Prophet Muhammad are not cited, however. - A.I.). It is a furnace in which Muslims are melted out and which allows the separation of the bad [Muslim] from the good one. It is also a pass to the Eden," and "the Eden is in the shade of swords" (Programs of Studying Sharia Sciences. Section Life of the Prophet). It would be appropriate to note (however obvious it is) that an "armed struggle" means the use of arms with the purpose to kill the enemy. "Muslims come victorious out of an armed struggle in both cases, whether they killed or were killed."

The aims of jihad as an armed struggle are the following (the order of the items varies in Wahhabi literature). Firstly, the aim of jihad is to lead an armed struggle against everyone who hinders the spreading of Wahhabi teaching and its exclusive predominance. "1. An armed struggle for the sake of raising the word of Allah above everything and devoting the whole religion to Allah only" (Programs of Studying Sharia Sciences. Section Life of the Prophet). Or, in other words, "2. Removal of all obstacles to the spreading of the call to Allah. 3. Protection of religious doctrines and Islamic akida of any threats overhanging them" (Zinu. Islamic Akida).

Secondly, the aim of Wahhabi jihad, understood as an armed struggle, is a fight against all infidels, polytheists and hypocrites: "1. A struggle against paganism and pagans, as Allah strictly forbids attaching anyone else to Him" (Zinu. Islamic Akida). "5. An armed struggle against hypocrites" (Programs of Studying Sharia Sciences. Section Life of the Prophet). Infidels, however, can escape killing if they adopt Islam and recognize the authority of Wahhabis. "When the leader of Muslims meets infidels, he urges them to adopt Islam. If they refuse, they must pay capitation, otherwise an armed struggle follows" (Programs of Studying Sharia Sciences. Section Life of the Prophet). But, strictly speaking, this will not save them from death. Wahhabis can accuse these people of hypocrisy at any moment.

And finally, the third aim of jihad as an armed struggle is: "4. Protection of Muslims and their native land" (Zinu. Islamic Akida). The important point is that Wahhabis call to arms to protect Islam, Muslims and their native land against the potential enemy as well, i.e. against those whose intents can be regarded as hostile. "2. Armed struggle against the enemy, fighting or intending to fight with Muslims" (Programs of Studying Sharia Sciences. Section Life of the Prophet).

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