an adherent of the puritanical reform movement that arose in 18th century Arabia
Member of a Muslim puritan movement founded in the 18th century by Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhb. Members call themselves al-Muwaidn, a name derived from their emphasis on the absolute oneness of God. They reject all acts implying polytheism, including the veneration of saints, and advocate a return to the original teachings of Islam as found in the Qurn and the Hadth. They supported the establishment of a Muslim state based on Islamic canon law. Adopted by the ruling Saudi family in 1744, the movement controlled all of Nejd by the end of the 18th century. It was assured of dominance on the Arabian Peninsula with the creation of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932, and in the 20th century supported by Saudi wealth it engaged in widespread missionary work throughout the Islamic world
{i} member of a very conservative Muslim group founded in the 18th Century that opposes all practices not sanctioned by the Koran
a member of a strictly orthodox Sunni Muslim sect from Saudi Arabia; strives to purify Islamic beliefs and rejects any innovation occurring after the 3rd century of Islam; "Ossama bin Laden is said to be a Wahhabi Muslim