Wahhabi

[ wuh-hah-bee, wah- ]

noun

, Islam.

, plural Wah·ha·bis.

1. a follower of ʿAbd al-Wahhab (1703–1792), who stringently opposed all practices not sanctioned by the Quran. The Wahhabis, founded in the 18th century, are the most conservative Muslim group and are today found mainly in Saudi Arabia.

Wahhabi

/ wəˈhɑːbɪ /

noun

1. a member of a strictly conservative Muslim sect founded in the 18th century with the aim of eliminating all innovations later than the 3rd century of Islam

Derived Forms

• Wahˈhabism, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Wahhabi¹

First recorded in 1800–10; from Arabic, equivalent to ʿAbd al- Wahhab + -ī a suffix indicating relationship or origin

Example Sentences

“I thought in Europe they would abandon Wahhabi teachings,” she say.

From The Daily Beast

Not since the Saudi and Wahhabi sack of Najaf and Kerbala in 1806 has sectarian violence in the Middle East been this extreme.

From The Daily Beast

The two Wahhabi states do work together albeit with some friction in Syria.

From The Daily Beast

Hejazis in the west and Shia in the east resent the strict Wahhabi lifestyle in the Nejd central desert.

From The Daily Beast

Perhaps the ultra-Orthodox Jews behind Der Tzitung newspaper could learn something from the Wahhabi kingdom.

From The Daily Beast

We remembered p. 20that we were among Wahhabi fanatics, and we began to be very much alarmed.

From Project Gutenberg

This affair contributed much to the extension and renown of the Wahhabi power; and offers of submission came in from all sides.

From Project Gutenberg

It would have been curious to ascertain whether Obeyd wore a plain unjewelled weapon in keeping with Wahhabi austerity.

From Project Gutenberg

By the end of September 1818 he had forced the Wahhabi leader to surrender, and had taken Deraiya, which he ruined.

From Project Gutenberg

From another part of the Mosque comes the reply: “Ay, he is a Wahhabi.”

From Project Gutenberg