Muhammad Ibn Abd Al-Wahhab's approach to sufism

MUHAMMAD IBN ABD AL-WAHHAB'S APPROACH TO SUFISM Muhammad Ibn Abdal-Wahhab was born inthetown of al-Uyaynah in the Najd. Having his education from his father first, who was a Kadı (muslimjudge), he also received education primarily from Abdullah Ibn Ibrahim IbnSeyf en-Necdî and Muhammad Hayyat al-Sindhi. He carried out journeys to cities like Mekka, Basra, Baghdad ,Hamedan and Isfahan for the purpose of religious wisdom. During his journeys to Hejaz region, he realised that Islam had been overwhelmed by deflections in the understanding of 'tawhid' andaccordingly filled with 'bid'as ' and superstitions. After that he devoted himself to struggle against these religious practices which he called 'bid'a '. In this struggle he encountered with alot ofdifficulties and rigid opposition. However, Muhammad Ibn Abd al-Wahhab received religious protection and hereby gaind more freedom in propagating his thoughts, thanks to the treaty he signed with Mohammad Ibn Suud in 1744. From then on, havin greceived a political identity, this movement was called 'Wahhabism'. Muhammad Ibn Abd al-Wahhab fought mainly against Tariqah (religious order) leader swhom he thought had adopted religious practices that had been overwhelmed by bid'as and superstitions. Nevertheless, due to some religious practices of Najd people, such as bestowing sacredness upon the dead and sacrificing animals for them, which were considered to be against the'tawhid'belief, their tombs and cemeteries were demolished by Muhammad Ibn Abd al-Wahhab and his followers. According to Muhammad Ibn Abd al-Wahhab, Sufism andTariqah were means of abusing religion andt hus, all these were labelled as polytheism and blasphemy. In this study, it is aimed to clarify the thoughts of Muhammad Ibn Abd al-Wahhab on basic Sufistic concepts as Sufism, Tariqah, intercessory, and affiliation. Keywords: Wahhabism, Muhammad Ibn Abd al-Wahhab, Sufism, Tawhid, Polytheism, Bid'a.