Al-Wala’ Wal Bara’ in Wahhabism: From A Tool to Fight Shirk to Takfir of Muslim Leaders

This paper examines the concept of Al-Wala‟ wal Bara‟ (herein known as WB) in the Salafi-Wahhabi ideology or Wahhabism (Arabic: Wahhabiyyah). It aims to show that the Salafi concept of WB has its roots in Wahhabism and highlight the main factors that have contributed to the development of the concept in Wahhabism in the modern period (twentieth century and beyond). Essentially, the paper attempts to show that WB which started in early Wahhabism as a tool to fight apostasy and innovations in Islam has developed into an important element used by both the Saudi establishment scholars and those who oppose the kingdom to support their religious inclination and political agenda. The Wahhabi scholars who oppose the Saudi rulers on account of their political behaviour have used WB to condemn their rulers while some of them even go to the extent of excommunicating the leaders and thereby legitimizing attacks against them.