A Brief Sketch of the Author’s Life

Lineage:
He is Shaykh Muhammad ibn ʿAbd al-Wahhab ibn Sulayman ibn ʿAli, from the Aal Mushrif branch of the famed Banu Tamim tribe, and the leading imam of the Salafi revival in Najd and beyond.

Upbringing and Scholarship:
Born in the town of al-ʿUyaynah near Riyadh in 1115 AH, he memorized the Quran while still young. He studied under his father—the judge of al-ʿUyaynah at the time—and under other prominent scholars in Najd, Madinah, al-Ahsaʾ, and Basra, thereby acquiring a vast reservoir of knowledge that equipped him for his blessed call. In an era when innovations, superstitions, and the quest for blessing from graves, trees, and stones were widespread, he dedicated himself—may Allah have mercy on him—to rectifying creed and devoting all worship to Allah alone. He authored several works, the most celebrated of which is this book, Kitab al-Tawhid. It gained immense acceptance among scholars and students, who have long devoted themselves to its study and commentary, for it is superbly arranged and of great benefit; through it Allah has guided multitudes.

Throughout his life the shaykh remained a teacher and caller to Allah, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, until he passed away in al-Dirʿiyyah near Riyadh in 1206 AH. A large number of scholars and imams of the daʿwah graduated under him. May Allah grant him an abundant reward and make Paradise his abode.

And may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.