The significance of the life and writings of ʿAbdullāh al-Hararī (d. 1429/2008): A response to Wahhābī influence in the Levant

Mohammad, Bakir Mohammad Saleh (2021) The significance of the life and writings of ʿAbdullāh al-Hararī (d. 1429/2008): A response to Wahhābī influence in the Levant. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

With the rise of modern-day Islamic reformers, ʿAbdullāh b. Muḥammad al-Hararī (d.
1429/2008) stands out from his contemporaries. This study does not merely shed light on
al-Hararī’s life and works. Rather, it is also concerned with the impact he had on the study
of Islam in the 21st century. By analysing the majority of al-Hararī’s works, a unique
insight into his emphasis on ʿaqīda (Islamic creed) and the impact he had on anti-Wahhābī
discourse can be deduced. As the title indicates, al-Hararī’s daʿwa (lit. call) grew to
become one of the most influential and controversial daʿwas in Lebanon, and consequently
the Islamic World. This research is primarily triggered by the scarcity of adequate studies
in Western Academia on al-Hararī’s life, coupled with the rise of anti-Hararī rhetoric in the
Arab World. While it would be worthwhile to examine the practical methodologies
through which al-Hararī’s ideology spread – via the Association of Islamic Charitable
Projects and its worldwide branches – this thesis is chiefly concerned with the discourse
surrounding the ideology adopted and promoted by al-Hararī, including his views on
anthropomorphism, taʾwīl, tabarruk amongst other concepts. As a reformer, he sought to
unify Muslims by stressing the importance of ʿaqīda, as well as devoting much of his life
to warning against what he calls “al-Firaq al-Thalāth”, or the Three Sects, namely:
Wahhābīs, Ikhwānīs and Taḥrīrīs. Even after his death, his impact is becoming
increasingly noticeable.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BP Islam. Bahaism. Theosophy, etc
• Colleges/Schools: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Critical Studies > Theology and Religious Studies
• Supervisor's Name: Ridgeon, Dr. Lloyd and Yazaki, Dr. Saeko
• Date of Award: 2021
• Embargo Date: 13 May 2025
• Depositing User: Bakir Mohammmad
• Unique ID: glathesis:2021-82184
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 14 May 2021 10:28
• Last Modified: 14 May 2021 11:08
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.82184
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/82184