What is Wahhabism?
Analysis
BBC
4.6 • 1K Ratings
🗓️ 10 February 2014
⏱️ 29 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Since the 9/11 attacks on New York and Washington DC, the ultra-conservative Wahhabi branch of Islam has often been cited by critics and commentators as the ideology of Islamic extremists around the world today. But can 21st Century terrorism really be blamed on the teachings of this 18th Century sect?
In this edition of Analysis, Edward Stourton asks what is - and what isn't - Wahhabism? He explores the foundation of this fundamentalist form of Islam, the evolution of its interpretation in Saudi Arabia, and asks what power and influence it has across the globe.
Founded by the Arabian scholar Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, this form of Salafi Islam sought to purify the religion by returning to its original principles. Ibn Abd al-Wahab was part of a broader Muslim reform movement which promoted a return to the texts of the Quran and Hadith and, controversially, questioned the teachings of Islamic scholars of the day, who formed part of a chain of knowledge stretching back centuries.
What is said to be a very literal translation of Islam is now an inspiration for modern-day Muslim hardliners, who view a binary world of believers and non-believers, strict social rules and adherence to Sharia law - but how close is this to the teachings of Ibn Abd al-Wahhab?
CONTRIBUTORS
Shaykh Dr Usama Hasan, The Quilliam Foundation
Abu Khadeejah, Salafi scholar
Prof Natana DeLong-Bas, Boston College, Massachusetts
Prof Madawi Al-Rasheed, The London School of Economics and Political Science
Shaykh Ruzwan Mohammed, Sunni theologian
PRODUCER: Richard Fenton-Smith EDITOR: Innes Bowen
Transcript
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| 0:35.4 | Sounds. |
| 0:36.4 | Thank you for downloading Radio 4's analysis. |
| 0:39.4 | This week Edward Stirtan explores Wahhabism and asks if the Saudi style ultra-conservative branch of Islam |
| 0:46.2 | is really the ideological engine of extremism as is so often claimed. This is the story of two religious journeys. |
| 1:01.0 | Both our pilgrims are British Muslims and both have been |
| 1:04.5 | powerfully influenced by the form of Islam we've come to know as Wahhabism. |
| 1:10.2 | One of them grew up soaked in its traditions. |
| 1:12.4 | Both my parents are from family. one of them grew up soaked in its traditions. |
| 1:13.0 | Both my parents are from families of very devout religious scholars |
| 1:17.0 | and specifically Wahhabi scholars. |
| 1:19.0 | With strong links to Saudi Arabia. |
| 1:21.0 | I was heavily involved with the spread in this country is a very big |
| 1:23.3 | phenomenon now with dozens and dozens of groups and mosques. For the other it came as a |
| 1:28.4 | revelation. My parents they said this is a new religion that you're bringing. |
| 1:32.2 | I said no actually quite the opposite. |
| 1:35.5 | What you're following is the new religion. This is the old religion, what the prophet Muhammad himself said. |
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