Page 13 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

PRECIS OF NEJD AFFAIRS.
1804-1901

*1.—Rise of the Waliabis under Abdul Waliab ante 1740.

Tho sect of Wahabis wa9 foundod by Abdul Wahab, and his son, Mahomed
bin Abdul Wahab, in the early part of tho 18th century, in tho country of Nejd
in Arabia. Abdul Wahab was a native of Nejd. Like tho prophet of Islam, ho
began life as a travelling merchant. In this capacity he visited Basrah and
Baghdad, and even journeyed through Persia. On his return to Nejd, he began
to promulgate his peculiar tenets, which did not involve tho idea of a Reforma­
tion like Protestantism, hut rather a return to the primitive simplicity which
prevailed amongst tho early followers of Islam, whilst the Prophet was still
alive.
2. Under such circumstances, the Wahabis wero neither Sunnis nor Shiahs.
Both tho latter sects sprung up after the
Nsithsr Sunnis nor Shiahs.
death of Mahomet,, and under circum­
stances which involved a veneration for certain individuals as successors of
Mahomet; a veneration or adoration that is altogether opposed to the essence
of Wahabism, which forbids all invocations to any man whatever, whether
Saint or Prophet. The Sunnis pin their faith upon the three first Caliphs, Abu-
beker, Omar, and Othman, whom they considered to bo the only truo successors
of the Prophet. The Shiahs, who deny the richt of the throe first Caliphs to
succeed Mahomet, assert that Ali, the fourth Caliph, aud husband of iuJ.ho-
met’s daughter Patima, and Ali’s two sons/Hassan, and Hussein, were the imme­
diate successors of tho Prophet. Tho Sunnis iuvoke the four first Calipli9. The
Shiahs invoke Ali and his two sons. Besides these early Caliphs, both Sunnis
and Shiahs oQ'er up prayers to numbers of saints. Abdul Wahab, however,
was above all such considerations. He reverted to the first formula of Islam,—
There is hut one God 1M He taught that God alone was the proper object of
worship and invocation; and that Mahomot, Jesus Christ, Moses, and others,
who wero respected by the Sunnis as prophets, were, in reality, nothing more
than great men.
3. It will thus be soon that whilst tho rise of the Wahabis is to be ascribed
to a date so late as tho commencement of
Etrly opposition between Nejd and Hejaz,
Important divisions. tho last century, the causes of that rise
YTc.i.rn BrSioii o. (i.-n.jc, th. cr.dio of i.w may be referred to a very remote period,
the Bed Sc*. \ compriiing Mecca and .From time immemorial there has been al-
Mcdina- ways an opposition between the people of
$3'7c^dlhbVC.h.'*1™.* Nejd, or the central table land of Arabia.
Central Bcgion ...
1 but aomctlmee etrotebiog to and the people of Hejaz On the COOSt of
(. ft.rw.tao.tt. tbo Red Sea_ The lo f Nejdare
3.—Oman, under tho lmaiu ,
.
.
1 r •
,,
I Ocoan.ul£ &nd the India" hixury and display, and tenaciously
Butern Bcgion ... of MasVat. between tho Per- sober and austere, averse to all foreign
attached to their ancestral usages. Tho
people of Hejaz on the sea-coast are, on the other hand, light and volatile, dis­
solute in their manners, and fond of ornament and magnificence. This opposi­
tion between the peoplo of tho central highlands, and the livelier people on tho
sea.coast, has been aggravated by political events. During tho century which
preceded tho advent of Mahomet, tho mon of Nojd had maintained a supremacy
in Arabia; but in consequence of the spread of Islam, this supremacy was ulti­
mately transferred to the men of Hojaz. Again there was a rivalry of prophets.
When Mahomet began to preach in Hejaz, a rival prophet, named Moseilomah,
began to preach in Nejd. Mahomet, troated Moseilomah with scorn, and nick­
named him “ the Liar,” but whenever a new chapter of the Koran was promul­
gated by Mahomet, a burlesque imitation of it was promulgated by Moseilemak.
A collision between the followers of tho rival prophets was consequently to be
expected; but the men of Hojaz woro for a long period afraid to attack the men
of Nejd. It was only after the former had been disciplined by exteuded con­
quest that they marched against. Nejd. Then an obstinato battle ensued in
which Moseilemah was 6lain ; but Itiadh, tho capital of Nejd and native placo of
f lb ^Wahabi "°d ®rc tobon *rom to® excellent introductory Chapter of Captain Talboya Wbcelcr’i HiatOry