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Summary: The only book you'll need on Wahhabism
Review: A complete historical overview of Wahhabism, this book should be enough for anyone interested in this deviant branch of Islam. I'm surprised that so few works exist on this all-too-critical subject, and I'm afraid that after this book, no one will need to write another. Written in his usual engaging style, carefully researched and expounded in detail, Dr. Hamid Algar's book is a must for the library of anyone interested in understanding Wahhabis and the political movements associated with them (the Taliban would be the most glaring example). I would also recommend his other fine works, particularly the classic "Islam and Revolution" (if you're fortunate enough to find a copy of this gem, buy it without hesitating).
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Summary: Excellent Study
Review: A very well written text about the history of Wahabism. It deconstructs its claims from a historical and doctrinal perspective. Excellent introduction to the topic. An important read for all orientals and middle-east lovers alike.
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Summary: Wahhabism - Telling and Informative
Review: A well written and documented account on the violent, despotic rise of Wahhabism and the detrimental effects and repurcussions it has had on Islam and Islamic countries, specifically Saudi Arabia . Although not as detailed and lengthy as one would hope, this essay nonetheless intelligently addresses the problematic polemics of Muhammad ibn Abd Al Wahhab resulting from his erroneous and fallacious understanding of Islamic theology and faith. The union between Wahhab and ibn Saud is discussed and how it catalyzed the pseudo religious-political partnership responsible for hijacking Sunni Islam and using it as a flagpole for self serving ambitions...at the cost of thousands of Muslim lives, mainly Sufis and Shiias, all brutally slaughtered. I wish Dr. Algar would expound more on the subject, but this brief, yet telling essay should satiate most curious minds.
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Summary: Concise
Review: Hamid Algar, in his essay book "Wahhabism", summarizes the birth, spread, and influence of the right wing Islamic Wahhabist sect in Saudi Arabia and world wide. Although he does not discuss the ideological details of the Wahhabist sect, he does provide a good end-to-end overview highlighting its principles and its contributions to the creation of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the impact of its alliance with the Saudi royal family, and its attempts of spreading its right wing ideology within Europe, USA, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. The book starts off with some difficulty since the author is anti-Wahhabism and therefore, on few occasions, he jumps back and forth between documenting the historical events and refuting the Wahhabist ideology without giving sufficient details to support his arguments. Few pages into the book, its tone changes and the focus becomes a summary of historical events, wrapped at the end with a list of organizations that have Wahhabist influence and Saudi funding. He does touch briefly on the relationship between Wahhabism, 9/11, and the Taliban. He also hints on the current strain on the Saudi-Wahhabist alliance post 9/11. Although there were times when it was difficult to follow the author's train of thought, the over all book provides a good starting point for anyone who is interested in Saudi history and its modern methodology for spreading Wahhabism throughout the world. The book can be used as a launch pad for identifying further, and more detailed, readings.
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Summary: A bit tricky to read
Review: I found this book to be a bit tricky to read due to the extensive use of Islamic verbage. I also think the author is highly prejudiced against Wahhabism, but he does take pains to explain why he has negative views on the "movement." Regardless of his personal opinion, the book does a basic job of shedding some light on the beliefs underpinning Al Quida and Saudi Arabian religion...which is the scary part. Whether Wahhabism is a deviant of Islam or not is not the question, but whether it shall become THE dominant doctine of Islam for the next few centuries is the question. I for one cannot see a society surviving based on the tenets of such a draconian culture, except if it is enforced by terror...but only time will tell. One only need to look at Eastern Europe to see the pain a small group of power hungry monsters such as Stalin, Lenin, and Bush...oops.. can inflict on the masses when allowed to rule by the outside world. It is amazing that our goverment financed the spread of Wahhabism directly through our financing of the Jihad in Afganistan, and even more amazing that the present administration would confuse Saddam's secularist goverment as the threat to the USA, when Wahhabism is clearly the beast that needs to be dealt with and beheaded. The other point not addressed is, "Do the saudi's intend to inflict this movement on all of Islam, and if they do, will Bin Laden coopt the movement for himself and become the first caliph of the 21st century? (With all of our oil supplies under his control)
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Summary: Obvious bias, for the knowledgeable only
Review: I found this of no value to the average person seeking a knowledge of Wahhabism, so important to current events. One would have to have a graduate student's knowledge of Islam and its various schools of thought to get much from it. In addition, the author obviously has a very dull axe to grind when he discounts the teachings because of the area of origin of al-Wahhab: "Najd had not been notable in Islamic tradition for scholarship or movements of spiritual renewal..." and "However, its occurance in the hadith literature does convey a sense of foreboding with respect to this part of the Arabian peninsula and suggest that any movement originating there should be viewed with great caution." Chaper II, pages 5 and 6. One is reminded of the disparagement of Christ because of his place of origin in Matthew 13:55-56.
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Summary: Interesting
Review: I had some difficulty reading this work due to the extensive use of Arabic terms. The terms are indeed the best to describe the concepts they convey however for the uninitiated it can make understanding aspect of the essay a bit treacherous. Also the key word in the title is "Critical". All in all this is an interesting book.
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Summary: Huh? What??
Review: I thought I might learn something about this sect of Islam, but I could see from the first several pages this was not to be. PhD or not, it is written in a round about the subject as is normally the middle eastern way of presenting thoughts. Such if we talk all around this subject we will be able to snow enough people to make them see our point. Do not buy this book, even for a used price. It has nothing to say or promote that is of interest to a western thinker.
Jimmy
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Summary: Withdraw previous review
Review: I would like to withdraw the review I submitted earlier today. Upon mature reflection, I think I was too harsh.
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Summary: Great Book!! Reveals the hidden.
Review: If you really want to know about Islamic-terror in the world, why is it there, where was it originated and how did it grow so quickly.. you should get this book right away. Whether in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Chechnia, Egypt, Iraq, Algeria or KSA.. the origin is one. Like there is more than one shape of Judiasm, more than a way to Christianity, there is also more than a picture of Islam. Read so you know alittle about the differences and where does terror stand today, and what is the relationship between Wahabism and Islam.
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