Sunni vs. Wahhabi

Attribute	Sunni	Wahhabi
Founder	Founded by Prophet Muhammad and his companions	Founded by Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab
Beliefs	Follow the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad and the Quran	Follow a strict interpretation of Islam based on the teachings of Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab
Practices	Follow the Five Pillars of Islam and the teachings of the Prophet	Emphasize strict adherence to Islamic law and reject innovations in religion
Leadership	Follow a consensus-based leadership structure	Follow a more centralized leadership structure
Global Presence	Widely practiced in many countries around the world	Concentrated in Saudi Arabia and some other Gulf countries

Beliefs

Sunni Islam is the largest branch of Islam, comprising the majority of Muslims worldwide. Sunnis follow the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad and the Quran, as well as the consensus of the Islamic community. They believe in the five pillars of Islam, which include faith, prayer, charity, fasting, and pilgrimage to Mecca. Wahhabism, on the other hand, is a more conservative and strict interpretation of Sunni Islam. Followers of Wahhabism adhere to the teachings of Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, a religious leader from the 18th century. They emphasize the importance of monotheism and reject practices they view as innovations.

Practices

Sunni Muslims follow traditional Islamic practices, such as performing the five daily prayers, fasting during the month of Ramadan, giving to charity, and making the pilgrimage to Mecca if financially and physically able. They also celebrate Islamic holidays, such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Wahhabis, on the other hand, have a more puritanical approach to Islamic practices. They strictly adhere to the teachings of Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab and reject any practices they consider to be bid'ah (innovations). This includes celebrating the Prophet Muhammad's birthday and visiting shrines or tombs.

Interpretation of Sharia

Both Sunni and Wahhabi Muslims follow Sharia, or Islamic law, but they may interpret it differently. Sunnis generally follow one of the four main schools of Islamic jurisprudence (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, or Hanbali), which allows for some flexibility in interpreting Sharia. Wahhabis, however, strictly adhere to the teachings of Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab and his interpretation of Sharia. They believe in a literal interpretation of the Quran and Hadith, which can lead to a more rigid application of Islamic law.

Views on Sufism

Sufism is a mystical branch of Islam that focuses on the inward search for God and spiritual growth. Sunni Muslims have a diverse range of views on Sufism, with some embracing it as a legitimate form of Islamic practice and others rejecting it as deviant. Wahhabis, on the other hand, generally view Sufism as bid'ah and shirk (innovation and polytheism). They believe that Sufi practices, such as visiting the tombs of saints and engaging in mystical rituals, go against the teachings of Islam.

Political Influence

Sunni Islam has a long history of political influence, with Sunni caliphates ruling over vast empires in the past. Today, Sunni Muslims are found in countries across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and beyond, and they may have varying degrees of political power and influence. Wahhabism, on the other hand, originated in the Arabian Peninsula and has had a significant impact on the political landscape of Saudi Arabia. The Saudi government has historically supported and promoted Wahhabism, which has shaped the country's laws, social norms, and foreign policy.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sunni and Wahhabi Islam share some common beliefs and practices, as they both follow the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad and the Quran. However, they differ in their interpretation of Islamic law, views on Sufism, and political influence. Sunnis tend to be more diverse in their beliefs and practices, while Wahhabis adhere to a more strict and conservative interpretation of Islam. Understanding the similarities and differences between Sunni and Wahhabi Islam can help foster greater understanding and dialogue within the Muslim community and beyond.