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Did Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab Rebel Against the Ottomans

Question:

Some say that Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab rebelled against the Ottoman Empire. What is your response to this claim?

Answer:

This is a lie. History proves it—as we said earlier, when narrators resort to lies, we resort to history. The region of Najd was never under Ottoman rule. Instead, it consisted of scattered, warring emirates in separate villages that raided, killed, and looted one another. They were deeply ignorant of Allah’s religion and engaged in polytheism (shirk). The Ottoman Empire saw no value in Najd, so they left it alone.

When the Imam—may Allah have mercy on him—saw the condition of Najd and its people, he stood up to call to Allah, Almighty and Exalted. After some time, Allah granted him support through Imam Muhammad ibn Saud—may Allah have mercy on them both. They never initiated fighting against anyone, as mentioned by Shaykh al-Islam, his students, and the imams of the House of Saud at the time. They did not attack anyone; they only fought in self-defense and to protect their honor after being attacked.

The people of falsehood, along with those in the Al-Ahsa region prompted by the Ottoman Empire, sought to fight the Shaykh and the Amir who supported him. Allah Almighty granted them victory because they stood up to support Allah’s religion and preach His monotheism—the former with knowledge and proof, and the latter with the sword and spear, sacrificing his own sons in the process. When the Ottoman Empire instructed its governor in Al-Ahsa and mobilized him to fight them, they fought purely in self-defense.

Otherwise, Najd was never subject to Ottoman authority for anyone to claim that Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab rebelled. SubhanAllah (Glory be to Allah)! How can this revered, grand Imam be accused of being a Kharijite or following their path, when his extensive writings consistently command listening to and obeying rulers, adhering to their commands, and submitting to their authority? How could such a claim be made against him?

His books stand as clear testimony, containing explicit words that refute this allegation. But for those blinded by their own desires, there is no remedy. We ask Allah for well-being and safety.

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