‘We are not Wahhabis...’

By Dr Hussain Madavoor (translated by P A Hameed Padubidri)
December 24, 2018

We were welcomed to Diriyah hall on visiting to Janadriyah Festival. Diriyah is the key place in the history of Saudi Arabia. Present Riyadh is the old Najd. 

The Saudi Arabia's founder monarch, Imam Muhammad bin Saud had begun his rule from Diriyah in Najd in 1744. Great Islamic scholar Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab strongly backed Imam bin Saud in religious matters. Thus, the first Saudi Arabian nation came into existence. 

The duo reached a pact. According to the pact, the state affairs were allotted to the Saud family (Al-Saud), whereas the religious affairs were handed to the scholars of Ibn Abdul Wahhab (Alu Sheikh) family.

The regime was agreed to be based on Quran and Sunnah. Promotion of Tauheed and prevention of Shirk were the main agenda. Their objective was to make Islah (betterment) depending upon the way of Salafussaliheen (pious predecessors).

In order to prevent the movement spread-headed by the duo, the British cooked up a plan claiming that they were (Al-Saud & Alu Sheikh Families) not real Muslims and they were deviated Wahhabis. 

Abdul Wahhab bin Rustam, who was born in Tiaret, Algeria in Hijirah 2nd century and founded his own Wahhabism Ibadi movement, who belonged to Khawarijite, was a propagator of deviated creed. The scholars of that time had declared that Rustam and his followers were Kharijites and of veered sect. This sect, which had emerged during 2nd & 3rd century, was recognized as deviated Wahhabis. This fact is elucidated by Sheikh Muhammad bin Saad Al-Shuweir in his book titled Correction of a Historical Misunderstanding Concerning the Wahhabiyyah  (تصحيح خطأ تاريخي حول الوهابية للشيخ محمد بن سعد الشويعر) in which it is declared to be a secession from Quran and Sunnah.

Unfortunately, the same name was attributed to the reformist methodical movement of the great scholar (Ibn Abdul Wahhab) of 11th century. It has nothing to do with Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab at all. In fact, it was a cruel assault on the history itself and a systematic scheme concocted by the British.

Besides, the colonial forces labelled the Muslims, who led the Indian freedom fight against the British, as Wahhabis thereby they conspired to separate them from the general Muslims. That deviated sect (Abdulwahhab Rustam) can be called as Wahhabis that is attributed to its leader, Abdulwahhab Rustam. Nowhere it is linked with the Manhajussalaf propagated by Sheikh Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhab.

However, it can be corrected by denotation only if we call "Muhammadee" movement since it was led by Muhammad s/o Abdul Wahhab. Because, it's linguistically wrong to attach one's attributes, which lies within him, to his father. That’s the reason why, the Saudi scholars still reiterate that “we are not wahhabis.”

It’s clearly stated in the publication published by the Saudi Arabian Awqaf that this nomenclature (Wahhabis) is incorrect in historical and linguistic point of view. "I am not an innovator of any new idea & I am purely a man of Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jamah & adhere to Hanbali school of thought," Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab himself declared it. 

Saudi Arabia is still a Good Samaritan for the Islahi functionaries across the world including India. I remembered the history of 'the great journey' that started from Diriyah when I was sitting in the Diriyah hall. 

About the author: Hussain Madavoor is the Kerala State Coordinator in the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Govt of India and President for Asian chapter in World Association of Humanitarian Organizations. He is the general secretary of All India Islahi Movement, and vice president of Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of coastaldigest.com and coastaldigest.com does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

Comments

shaik mangalore
 - 
Tuesday, 5 Feb 2019

there is no diriya or festivel in islam except 2 eid.

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coastaldigest.com news network
July 27,2020

Ayodhya, Jul 27: With days to go for the August 5 "bhoomi pujan" ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, the mosques adjacent to the demolished Babri Masjid premises are spreading the message of a peaceful coexistence of Hindus and Muslims.

There are eight mosques and two mausoleums located close to the 70-acre Babri Masjid premises mandated by the Supreme Court for a temple of Sri Ram.

Azaan and namaaz are offered in the mosques and the annual "Urs" is held at the mausoleums without any objection from the local Hindus.

The eight mosques located near the upcoming Ram temple premises are Masjid Dorahikuan, Masjid Mali Mandir ke Bagal, Masjid Kaziyana Achchan ke Bagal, Masjid Imambara, Masjid Riyaz ke Bagal, Masjid Badar Paanjitola, Masjid Madaar Shah and Masjid Tehribazar Jogiyon ki.

The two mausoleums are Khanqaahe Muzaffariya and Imambara.

"It is the greatness of Ayodhya that the mosques surrounding the Ram temple are giving a strong message of communal harmony to the rest of the world," Haji Asad Ahmad, the corporator of the Ram Kot ward, said. The Ram temple area is situated in Ahmad's ward.

"Muslims take out the 'juloos' of Barawafaat that goes through the periphery of Ram Janmabhoomi. All religious functions and rituals of Muslims are respected by their fellow citizens," the corporator said.

Asked for a comment on the presence of mosques near the upcoming Ram temple premises, the chief priest of the temple, Acharya Satyendra Das, said, "We had a dispute only with the structure that was connected to the name of (Mughal emperor) Babur. We have never had any issue with the other mosques and mausoleums in Ayodhya. This is a town where Hindus and Muslims live in peace."

"Muslims offer namaaz, we perform our puja. The mosques around us will strengthen Ayodhya's communal harmony and peace will prevail," he added.

Both Hindus and Muslims have accepted the Supreme Court verdict over Ram Janmabhoomi, Das said, adding, "We have no dispute with each other."

Sayyad Akhlaq Ahmad Latifi, the "sajjada nasheen" and "pir" of the 500-year-old Khanqaahe Muzaffariya mausoleum, said Muslims in Ayodhya are performing all religious practices freely.

"We offer prayers five times a day in the mosque at Khanqaah and hold the yearly 'Urs'," he added.

"What a scene would it be -- a grand Ram temple surrounded by small mosques and mausoleums and everyone offering prayers according to their beliefs. That will be representative of the true culture of India," Mahant Yugal Kishore Sharan Shastri, the chief priest of the Sarayu Kunj temple adjacent to the Ram Janmabhoomi premises, said.

Reacting to the presence of mosques and mausoleums near the Ram Janmabhoomi premises, Triloki Nath Pandey, the decree holder of the land as the "first friend of Ram Lalla" as mandated by the Supreme Court, said, "We do not have any objection to either those mosques or any other mosques. We will not trigger a dispute regarding any structure, Ayodhya must live in peace and communal harmony."

Mahant Raju Das, the priest of the Hanumangarhi temple, said, "The presence of the mosques tells the story of Ayodhya's communal harmony. A Ram mandir will be built and there will be no objection to the mosques or religious practices of Muslims."

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