Who is Sheikh Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, what are the reasons for attributing a madhhab to him, what are the ideas of this madhhab, is it true that he rebelled against the caliphate, and what is his biography?
Sheikh Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab did not rebel against the Ottoman Caliphate; rather, this is a fabrication. It was the Ashraf (nobles) in Mecca, who were the deputies of the Ottoman Sultan, who fought against the Sheikh's call, fearing that it would deprive them of the tributes they collected from graves. The Sheikh sent a delegation with gifts and a letter to Sharif Ahmad ibn Said, the Sharif of Mecca, which stated: "Presented to your esteemed presence, may Allah perpetuate the favor of His blessings upon you, the honorable Sharif Ahmad ibn al-Sharif Said, may Allah glorify him in both worlds and may He glorify through him the religion of his grandfather, the master of the two weighty things: when the letter reached your servant [meaning himself], and he reflected upon the good words contained therein, he raised his hands in supplication to Allah for the support of the Sharif, as his intention was to uphold the Muhammadan Sharia and those who followed it, and to show enmity towards those who deviated. This is the duty of those in authority." He concluded his letter by saying: "Beyond that, the Sharif, may Allah glorify him, knows that your servants are among the retinue of servants. And you are under the protection and excellent care of Allah." How then could he be a rebel against the Sultan when he considered himself a servant of the Ashraf?
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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