Definition

1. Noun:
   • A member of a strictly orthodox Sunni Muslim sect from Saudi Arabia: A Wahhabi is an adherent of a fundamentalist Islamic movement that advocates a return to the original practices of Islam as defined by the Quran and early traditions.
   • An advocate for purifying Islamic beliefs: The term denotes someone who strives to eliminate innovations and practices considered to have been introduced after the first three centuries of Islam.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The religious leader was a devout Wahhabi who rejected many modern interpretations.
  • Wahhabi influence on the legal system in the region has been significant.

Advanced Usage

• As a modifier: The term can function attributively to describe related doctrines, movements, or institutions.
  • Wahhabi ideology emphasizes strict monotheism.
  • The scholar studied Wahhabi teachings extensively.

Variants and Related Words

• Wahhabism (n): The conservative Islamic doctrine or movement associated with the Wahhabis.
  • Wahhabism is often described as a puritanical form of Islam.
• Wahhabist (n): Another term for a follower of Wahhabism; synonymous with Wahhabi.
  • The reformer was criticized by Wahhabists for his liberal views.

Synonyms

• Salafi: A member of a modern Islamic movement that also seeks to emulate the practices of the earliest Muslims. (Note: While closely related and often used interchangeably in some contexts, Salafism is a broader category that includes Wahhabism.)
• Fundamentalist: A general term for a person who adheres strictly to fundamental or orthodox principles, especially in religion.

Notes on Meaning

• The term originates from Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, an 18th-century Arabian Islamic scholar whose teachings form the basis of the movement.
• It is primarily associated with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where it is the dominant form of Sunni Islam.
• The label "Wahhabi" is sometimes used pejoratively by critics; adherents often prefer terms like "Muwahhidun" (monotheists) or "Salafi."

Noun

1. a member of a strictly orthodox Sunni Muslim sect from Saudi Arabia; strives to purify Islamic beliefs and rejects any innovation occurring after the 3rd century of Islam
   • Osama bin Laden is said to be a Wahhabi Muslim