Pronunciation: [wˈɑːhɐbˌɪzəm] (IPA) 
The correct spelling of the term "Wahhabism" is often debated. Some may spell it as "Wahabiism" or "Wahabism." However, the preferred spelling is with two "h" letters, as in "Wahhabism." This term refers to an ultra-conservative branch of Sunni Islam founded by Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab. Using the IPA phonetic transcription, the word is pronounced as [wəˈhɑːbɪzəm], with stress on the second syllable.
Wahhabism refers to an ultra-conservative and puritanical branch of Sunni Islam, rooted in the teachings and interpretations of Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, an 18th-century Islamic scholar from Arabia. Understood as a strict form of Salafism, Wahhabism advocates a return to the earliest practices and teachings of Islam as outlined in the Quran and the Hadiths, rejecting subsequent innovations and interpretations.
Central to the Wahhabi doctrine is the concept of tawhid, the belief in the oneness of Allah, which they emphasize fervently. Wahhabism places strong emphasis on the enforcement of monotheism and strict adherence to Islamic law (Sharia), which entails a rigorous application of religious rules and practices. Wahhabis regard any form of worship or religious practice that they consider as bid'ah (innovation in religion) as deviant, viewing it as a potential source of idolatry.
Furthermore, Wahhabism is often associated with austere moral codes and societal practices, promoting a conservative lifestyle that strictly segregates genders and discourages activities deemed un-Islamic. It also discourages participation in certain forms of entertainment, such as music, due to its concerns about potential impurity.
Wahhabism has had a significant impact on the religious, social, and political landscapes in Saudi Arabia, where it originated. Its influence has spread beyond the country's borders, contributing to the rise of various Islamist movements and shaping the ideologies of certain extremist groups. Critics argue that Wahhabism's strict interpretations can fuel intolerance, religious extremism, and radicalism, while proponents argue that it maintains the purity of Islam and protects believers from deviating from the true path of the religion.
The word "Wahhabism" comes from the name of its founder, Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab. Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab was an Islamic theologian from the 18th century in what is now known as Saudi Arabia. He promoted a conservative and puritanical form of Islam, which later became known as Wahhabism. The term "Wahhabism" was coined by opponents of this ideology, and it gained widespread usage to describe the beliefs and practices associated with the movement.
