The Culture of Destroying Shrines and Graves by Abdul Wahhab Najdi

Ibn Abdul Wahhab Najdi began preaching his misguided Wahhabi ideology around 1740, claiming that visiting shrines was akin to idol worship. According to him, both visiting shrines and traveling for that purpose were forbidden (haram). His views were so extreme that even his own father advised him to refrain from spreading such dangerous ideology. Until his father’s death in 1745, he temporarily held back. However, after his father’s passing, he resumed preaching his beliefs. Even his own brother reminded him of their father’s advice, but it had no effect. Due to his brother's opposition, he eventually killed him.

Not only that, Wahhabis began destroying shrines throughout Arabia. At the beginning of the 19th century, they attacked Mecca and Medina and demolished numerous graves. Only the shrines of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his two companions, Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) and Hazrat Umar (RA), located in Masjid al-Nabawi, were spared. Despite multiple attempts to destroy these as well, they refrained due to strong opposition and threats from the broader Muslim world, especially from Egypt and Turkey.

This culture of shrine destruction spread to various countries through their influence. Today, it can be seen in Libya, Mali, Somalia, Tunisia, Iraq, and Syria. In Iraq, so-called “sexual jihadists” are destroying thousands of shrines and graves — even those of prophets and companions are not being spared. They even desecrate fresh bodies found in shrines, showing complete disrespect. How utterly shameless these people are! May Allah’s curse be upon them and their supporters.

In Bangladesh, their followers carried out bomb attacks at various places including the shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal (RA). They are the ideological heirs of the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. Through terrorism, they attempt to restore what they believe is Islam’s lost glory. But they fail to understand that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) himself encouraged the visiting of graves. They claim that the Prophet condemned grave worshippers in his final moments and cursed the Jews and Christians for turning the graves of their prophets into places of worship. However, he did not prohibit grave visitation itself.

Wahhabis and their followers are hypocrites. They are misleading people through misinterpretation of hadith. Abdul Wahhab Najdi and the Saudis together have created great discord within Islam. Who is this "Saud"? He is the same Saud who conspired to destroy the Blessed Tomb of the Prophet (peace be upon him), under whose protection countless shrines and graves of companions in Jannat al-Baqi — along with their domes, minarets, and Muslim heritage — were destroyed.

Saud even renamed the land of Arabia after himself, calling it "Saudi Arabia." May Allah grant us the guidance to embrace the true Islam of the Awliya-e-Keram (friends of Allah). Ameen!