The Boundaries of Faith

Abstract

Both the older historiography and the revisionist accounts persist in using Wahhabism as a model for depicting Islamic activism and thought in the eighteenth century. This persistence, the chapter argues, is one reason for viewing the eighteenth century as a century of decline. In contrast, the chapter demonstrates that a majority of eighteenth century Muslim thinkers articulate views that are radically opposed to Wahhabi ideas. The chapter outlines the very rich discourse against takfir that prevailed in eighteenth century thought. It also argues that Wahhabism was the exception to eighteenth century thought, and that there is no connection between it and other intellectual trends in the eighteenth century.