Rendering Mu.ammad Human Again: The Prophetology of Mu.ammad b. 'Abd al-Wahhab (1703-1792)

Muhammad b. 'Abd al-Wahhab (1703-1792), the founder of the puritan Wahhabi movement in Islam, has written a biography of the prophet that differs markedly from other later works of this genre. He passes over many episodes that are supposed to elevate the status of Muhammad beyond that of an ordinary human, whereas he includes episodes that show him as human, or even fallible, such as the controversial "Satanic verses."The purpose of this selection is to demonstrate that apart from events specifically related to revelation, Muhammad was a human being whose actions can be imitated. However, the scope of Muhammad's actions is reduced to the eradication of unbelief and idolatry. This is supposed to suggest that Muhammad b. Abd al-Wahhab himself is completing what Muhammad has begun and to legitimize the warfare of followers against the "idolaters."