The Wahhabi Mission and Saudi Arabia (Library of Modern Middle East Studies)

This is a definitive and authoritative account of the conservative interpretation of Islam that is the official creed of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Wahhabism. Muslim critics have dismissed it as a heretical innovation that manipulated a backward people to gain political control. David Commins dismisses the clich?©s, examines the nature of Wahhabism, and offers original findings as to how Wahhabism rose to dominance in Arabia and projected its influence in the Muslim world. He also assesses the challenges that it faces from radical militants within the Kingdom. David Commins Examines The Debate On The Nature Of Wahhabism And Offers Original Findings On Wahhabism's Ascendence In Saudi Arabia And Spread Throughout Other Parts Of The Muslim World Such As Afghanistan And Pakistan. He Discusses The Development Of Links To Arab And South Asian Religious Reform Movements In The Late Nineteenth Century And How They Contributed To An Alliance With Modern Revivalist Organisations Such As The Muslim Brothers In The Late Twentieth Century. After Wahhabism's Most Zealous Impulses Were Suppressed In The 1920s By King Abdul Aziz, It Became Part Of The Modern Kingdom's Bureaucratic Apparatus. Commins Argues That Wahhabi Clerics Used Government Bodies To Consolidate Authority - Especially In Law And Education. Commins Assesses The Challenges That Wahhabism Faces From The Popularity Of Modern Islamic Revivalism That Has Fuelled Radical Militants Such As Osama Bin Laden Who Call For The Overthrow Of The Saudi Classes Which Have Always Enjoyed The Blessing Of The Wahhabi Establishment. The Wahhabi Mission And Saudi Arabia Is Essential Reading For Anyone Interested In The Middle East And Islamic Radicalism Today.--jacket. Preface -- Map Of Arabia -- Introduction -- Islam Began As A Stranger And Will Return As A Stranger -- Holding Fast Against Idolatry -- Abd Al-aziz Ibn Saud And The Taming Of Wahhabi Zeal -- Wahhabism In Modern State -- The Wahhabi Mission And Islamic Revivalism -- Challenges To Wahhabi Hegemony -- Conclusion -- Al Al-sheikh -- Chronology -- Glossary. David Commins. Series Statement Provided By Publisher. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [259]-269) And Index. "David Commins examines the debate on the nature of Wahhabism and offers original findings on Wahhabism's ascendence in Saudi Arabia and spread throughout other parts of the Muslim world such as Afghanistan and Pakistan. He discusses the development of links to Arab and South Asian religious reform movements in the late nineteenth century and how they contributed to an alliance with modern revivalist organisations such as The Muslim Brothers in the late twentieth century. After Wahhabism's most zealous impulses were suppressed in the 1920s by King Abdul Aziz, it became part of the modern kingdom's bureaucratic apparatus. Commins argues that Wahhabi clerics used government bodies to consolidate authority - especially in law and education. Commins assesses the challenges that Wahhabism faces from the popularity of modern Islamic revivalism that has fuelled radical militants such as Osama Bin Laden who call for the overthrow of the Saudi classes which have always enjoyed the blessing of the Wahhabi establishment. The Wahhabi Mission and Saudi Arabia is essential reading for anyone interested in the Middle East and Islamic radicalism today."--Book jacket This book reveals the theories that inspire al-Qaeda. There is no other accessible book on the subject. This is the sect that threatens the stability of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. Wahhabism has been generating controversy since it first emerged in Arabia in the 18th century. In the wake of September 11th instant theories have emerged that try to root Osama Bin Laden's attacks on Wahhabism. Muslim critics have dismissed this conservative interpretation of Islam that is the official creed of Saudi Arabia as an unorthodox innovation that manipulated a suggestible people to gain political influence. David Commins' book questions this assumption. He examines the debate on the nature of Wahhabism, and offers original findings on its ascendance in Saudi Arabia and spread throughout other parts of the Muslim world such as Afghanistan and Pakistan. He also assesses the challenge that radical militants within Saudi Arabia pose to the region, and draws conclusions which will concern all those who follow events in the Kingdom. -- Publisher description Wahhabism has been generating controversy since it first emerged in Arabia in the 18th century. In the wake of September 11th instant theories have emerged that try to root Osama Bin Laden's attacks on Wahhabism. Muslim critics have dismissed this conservative interpretation of Islam that is the official creed of Saudi Arabia as an unorthodox innovation that manipulated a suggestible people to gain political influence. David Commins'book questions this assumption. He examines the debate on the nature of Wahhabism, and offers original findings on its ascendance in Saudi Arabia and spread throughout other parts of the Muslim world such as Afghanistan and Pakistan. He also assesses the challenge that radical militants within Saudi Arabia pose to the region, and draws conclusions which will concern all those who follow events in the Kingdom.'The Wahhabi Mission and Saudi Arabia'is an essential reading for anyone interested in the Middle East and Islamic radicalism today. The history of the Wahhabis' close, loyal alliance with the ancestors of the present Saudi royal family has been recounted in fascinating, and persuasive detail by David Commins. His conclusion is no less startling as it is important, that Wahhabi hegemony over regional religious culture is in jeopardy; its credibility debased, possibly no longer able to buttress the Saudi dynasty's legitimacy. Whatever their future, the story of the Wahhabis has been told with authority and clarity by Commins in this absorbing book. - David Waines, Professor of Islamic Studies, Lancaster University The Wahhabi religious reform movement arose in Najd, the vast, thinly populated heart of Central Arabia.