The Wahhabi movement, also known as Wahhabism, is a conservative reformist movement within Sunni Islam that originated in the Arabian Peninsula in the 18th century. It is named after its founder, Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, and has played a significant role in shaping the religious and political landscape of modern Saudi Arabia. 

Here are the key aspects of the Wahhabi movement:

1. Founding and Origins:
   • The movement was founded by Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab (1703–1792), a religious scholar from the Najd region of present-day Saudi Arabia.
   • Ibn Abd al-Wahhab sought to return Islam to what he considered its pure and original form, advocating strict adherence to the Quran and Hadith, and rejecting practices he viewed as innovations (bid’ah) or polytheistic.
2. Key Beliefs and Practices:
   • Tawhid (the oneness of God) is the central tenet of Wahhabism, emphasizing strict monotheism and vehement opposition to any practices perceived as shirk (associating partners with God), such as the veneration of saints or shrines.
   • The movement calls for the elimination of practices not explicitly supported by the Quran and Sunnah, advocating a literal interpretation of these texts.
3. Political Alliance and Spread:
   • In the mid-18th century, Ibn Abd al-Wahhab formed a pact with Muhammad ibn Saud, the founder of the first Saudi state. This alliance combined religious and military fervor to spread Wahhabi teachings across the Arabian Peninsula.
   • This partnership laid the foundation for the establishment of the first Saudi state and significantly influenced the religious and political structure of what would become modern Saudi Arabia.
4. Influence in Saudi Arabia:
   • Wahhabism forms the ideological basis of the Saudi state, influencing its legal, educational, and religious institutions. It remains a dominant force in Saudi religious life and policy.
   • The movement has historically influenced Saudi Arabia’s approach to governance, emphasizing sharia law and maintaining religious orthodoxy within the kingdom.
5. Global Impact and Controversies:
   • Wahhabism has been influential in various parts of the world, particularly through Saudi funding of mosques, schools, and religious literature promoting Wahhabi interpretations of Islam.
   • It has been the subject of criticism and controversy, accused by some of fostering intolerance or extremism by adhering to a rigid interpretation of Islam. Supporters, however, view it as a genuine return to authentic Islamic principles.
6. Contemporary Relevance:
   • In recent years, there has been an evolving discourse within Saudi Arabia and the broader Islamic world about Wahhabism, with increased calls for religious reforms and moderation amidst ongoing debates about its role and influence.

The Wahhabi movement remains a prominent and often debated aspect of the Muslim world, especially regarding its theological stances and cultural influence within and beyond Saudi Arabia.

Written by AI. A more correct, God given, explanation can be found here.