Question:

Some people told me: “There is such a thing as ‘Wahhabism’.” I replied to them: “There is no such thing as ‘Wahhabism’; rather, it is a label coined by the Ashraf (rulers/sherifs of Mecca at the time) to turn people away from the reformist call.” However, one of them said to me: “Shaykh Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab (may Allah have mercy on him) was indeed a religious reformer, but he deviated late in his life, rejecting certain authentic prophetic Hadiths because they did not align with his personal opinion.” What is your view on this?

Answer:

Shaykh Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab (may Allah have mercy on him) was one of the greatest callers to the Salafi methodology, sound creed, and upright path, and his books—may Allah have mercy on him—are filled with this.

As for what you mentioned—that one of the opponents of his call claimed the Shaykh deviated late in his life and rejected authentic Hadiths because they didn’t match his opinion—this is a lie and a fabrication against the Shaykh. He passed away while being among the people who most intensely respected the Sunnah, accepted it, and indeed called to it, may Allah have mercy on him.

And Allah is the Granter of success. May Allah bestow His blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his companions.