The Mission and the Kingdom: Wahhabi Power Behind the Saudi Throne 9781350988934, 9781838609528

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David Commins is Professor of History at Dickinson College, Pennsylvania. He is the author of Islam in Saudi Arabia (I.B.Tauris, 2015), The Gulf States: A Modern History (I.B.Tauris, 2012), Islamic Reform: Politics and Social Change in Late Ottoman Syria (1990) and Historical Dictionary of Syria (1996; 2nd edn 2004).

‘the best account we have yet’

Francis Robinson

‘The history of the Wahhabis’ close, loyal alliance with the ancestors of the present Saudi royal family has been recounted in fascinating and persuasive detail by David Commins. His conclusion is no less startling than it is important, that Wahhabi hegemony over regional religious culture is in jeopardy; its credibility debased, possibly no longer able to buttress the Saudi dynasty’s legitimacy. Whatever their future, the story of the Wahhabis has been told with authority and clarity by Commins in this absorbing book.’ David Waines, Professor of Islamic Studies, Lancaster University ‘David Commins’ careful, comprehensive and erudite account of Wahhabism in Saudi Arabia could not have come at a more opportune time. After so many tendentious and uninformed treatments of the subject in recent years, it is a pleasure to read a real historian’s account, based upon original Arabic sources. Everyone involved in the public debate about Saudi Arabia’s role in the Muslim world should read this book.’ F. Gregory Gause, University of Vermont ‘David Commins’ work makes major contributions toward understanding the historical development of Wahhabism, particularly in the nineteenth century. His analysis of nineteenth-century Wahhabi thought demonstrates the interplay between religion and politics during this critical time, setting the stage for the twentieth-century founding of the contemporary Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.’ Natana J. DeLong-Bas, Georgetown University, author of Wahhabi Islam: From Revival and Reform to Global Jihad (I.B.Tauris, 2007)

DAVID COMMINS

THE MISSION AND THE KINGDOM Wahhabi Power Behind the Saudi Throne

Revised paperback edition published in 2016 by I.B.Tauris & Co. Ltd London • New York www.ibtauris.com First published in paperback in 2009 and hardback in 2006 by I.B.Tauris & Co. Ltd as The Wahhabi Mission and Saudi Arabia Copyright © 2006, 2009, 2016 David Commins The right of David Commins to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in a review, this book, or any part thereof, may not be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Every attempt has been made to gain permission for the use of the images in this book. Any omissions will be rectified in future editions. References to websites were correct at the time of writing. ISBN: 978 1 78453 682 4 eISBN: 978 1 83860 951 1 ePDF: 978 1 83860 952 8 A full CIP record for this book is available from the British Library A full CIP record is available from the Library of Congress Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: available Typeset in Palamino by Steve Tribe, Andover

For Stephen, Gary, and Neil

Contents

List of Illustrations

ix

Preface to the new edition

xi

Preface to the paperback edition Preface

xvii xix

Acknowledgements

xxiii

Map of Arabia

xxvi

Introduction

1

1. Islam Began as a Stranger and Will Return as a Stranger

7

2. Holding Fast Against Idolatry

40

3. Abd al-Aziz ibn Saud and the Taming of Wahhabi Zeal

71

4. Wahhabism in a Modern State

104

5. The Wahhabi Mission and Islamic Revivalism

130

6. Challenges to Wahhabi Hegemony

155

Conclusion

205

viii

The Mission and the Kingdom

Al al-Sheikh

210

Chronology

211

Glossary

213

Notes

215

Bibliography

259

Index

271

List of Illustrations

1. The ruins of al-Dir’iyya. Source unknown, Saudi Aramco World/PADIA

2. Saudi and American oil pipeline welders, al-Khobar, 1952. O. Oxley, Saudi Aramco World/PADIA

38 102

3. Girls’ school classroom, undated. Katrina Thomas, Saudi Aramco World/PADIA

127

5. Unayza, 1935. J.W. ‘Soak’ Hoover, Saudi Aramco World/PADIA

160

4. Boys play Scrabble at a Jeddah boys’ school, undated. Katrina Thomas, Saudi Aramco World/PADIA

6. Unayza, 1970s. Tor Eigeland, Saudi Aramco World/PADIA 7. Riyadh marketplace, 1950. T.F. Walters, Saudi Aramco World/PADIA

8. Riyadh, c.1980. S.M. Amin, Saudi Aramco World/PADIA 9. Traditional produce stand, al-Hasa, 1980. Tor Eigeland, Saudi Aramco World/PADIA

10. Supermarket produce section, 1981. Burnett H. Moody, Saudi Aramco World/PADIA 11. Boys play guitars at a Jeddah boys’ school, undated. Katrina Thomas, Saudi Aramco World/PADIA 12. Television at home, 1999. Kristie Burns, Saudi Aramco World/PADIA

127 160

161

161

162 162 170 199

Preface to the new edition

S

audi Arabia’s historic alliance of Al Saud dynastic power and :DKKDELUHOLJLRXVGRFWULQHKDVVWRRGÀUPLQWKHPLGVWRIFDWDVWURSKLF FLYLOZDUVWHDULQJDSDUWPXFKRIWKH0LGGOH(DVW:KHWKHUWKHFRQÁLFWV stem from foreign invasion (Iraq) or anti-government uprisings (Syria DQG