THE PARADOX OF ISLAMIC REFORM: AN EXAMINATION OF THE SACRILEGE OF THE LEGACIES OF IBN TAYMIYYAH AND MUHAMMAD IBN ABD AL-WAHHĀB

Abstract

This article examines the significant legacies of two prolific Islamic scholars in the field of Islam, Ibn Taymiyyah and Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhāb, and the sentiments and controversies surrounding their standpoints, values and initiatives.   Known for their unyielding advocacy of monotheism (Tawḥīd), these scholars sought to purify Islamic practice from innovations they viewed as contrary to Islamic doctrine. Their direction shaped the Islamic tracts in their contemporary times and the decades to come.   However, these Islamic theologians have famously come under scrutiny for their efforts in cleansing the concept of Tawḥīd from blemished perceptions which undermined its adherence in the Muslim masses.   Conversely, it is evident under examination that their life struggles were marked by clear contradictions and complex paradox of their legacy. This exposition discusses the reforms they stood and struggled for and examines and reflects upon how the very practices they vehemently opposed were surprisingly evident in the actions of their followers and the criticism which stains their stances. Despite their efforts, posthumous actions by followers often contradicted their teachings. Through historical analysis, this paper examines the theological and social complexities in their reformist missions, particularly the irony surrounding practices following Ibn Taymiyyah’s funeral and the intra-family opposition faced by Abd al-Wahhāb. The contradictory relationship between doctrine and practice has been the subject of extensive debate within Islamic scholarship. By investigating these cases, the study aims to understand the cultural and psychological factors that shape religious adherence and the perpetuation of practices that conflict with strict doctrinal beliefs.