Definition

Noun: * A conservative and intolerant form of Islam that is practiced in Saudi Arabia: Wahhabism is a strict, puritanical interpretation of Sunni Islam. It advocates a return to the practices of the earliest generations of Muslims and rejects many later theological developments, innovations, and practices it considers idolatrous.

Examples

• The state's religious establishment is based on Wahhabism.
• Critics argue that Wahhabism promotes a rigid and exclusionary worldview.
• The influence of Wahhabism has spread beyond the Arabian Peninsula through funding for mosques and religious schools.

Advanced Usage

• "Wahhabi" (noun/adjective): A follower of Wahhabism, or relating to Wahhabism.
  • The Wahhabi cleric issued a religious ruling.
• The term is often used in academic and geopolitical discourse to describe a specific socio-religious movement and its political implications.

Variants and Related Words

• Salafism: A related modern Islamic movement that also emphasizes emulating the early Muslim community (the ). While Wahhabism is a specific movement originating in Arabia, Salafism is a broader term. The two are often used interchangeably in common discourse, though distinctions exist.
• Wahhabi: (noun) A follower; (adjective) relating to the doctrine.

Synonyms

• Islamic fundamentalism (a broader, less specific term)
• Salafism (see note in Variants)

Notes on Meaning

• The term Wahhabism is derived from its 18th-century founder, Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab.
• Adherents often reject the label "Wahhabism," preferring terms like "Salafi" or simply stating they follow pure Islamic monotheism ().
• In analysis, it is crucial to distinguish between the religious doctrine itself and the political actions of states or groups that may be influenced by it.

Noun

1. a conservative and intolerant form of Islam that is practiced in Saudi Arabia
   • Osama bin Laden and his followers practice Wahhabism