Ikhwan
Definition
The term “Ikhwan” (إخوان), meaning “Brothers” in Arabic, denotes several groups in Islamic history. One notable example is the Ikhwan founded by Abd al-Aziz ibn Saud around 1911–12. This organization aimed at settling Bedouins into agricultural communities known as hujjar (singular: hujra, هجْرة) and promoting a strict interpretation of Islamic teachings as propagated by Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab. The Ikhwan played a crucial role in Ibn Saud’s military campaigns and in the establishment of the Saudi state.
Etymology
The word “Ikhwan” is derived from the Arabic root “akh” (أَخ), which means “brother.” The term “Ikhwan” (إخوان) thus translates to “Brothers” and conveys a sense of fraternity and communal solidarity.
Historical Context
The Ikhwan were instrumental in the unification of the Arabian Peninsula under Ibn Saud’s rule. They emphasized public worship and strict adherence to the principles of the Quran and Sunnah. Their ethos was deeply influenced by Wahhabism, advocating returning to what they perceived as pure Islamic practices free from innovations (bid‘ah) and deviations from the core texts.
Role in Saudi History
Ikhwan members were settled in hujjar, which were agricultural and military colonies aiming to transform nomadic Bedouins into settled farmers and soldiers devoted to the Wahhabi mission. They provided a robust fighting force for Ibn Saud, crucial in his military advances against rival tribes and regional rulers.
However, by 1926, tensions arose between the Ikhwan and Ibn Saud as they resisted his centralizing policies and his gradual adaptation to modern statecraft, including the use of technology and relations with non-Muslim countries. Their resistance culminated in a series of conflicts that led to the group’s suppression. The disbandment of the Ikhwan marked a crucial step in consolidating the modern Saudi state.
Related Entries
- Hujjar: Agricultural and military colonies established by Ibn Saud to settle nomadic Bedouins.
- Abd al-Aziz ibn Saud: Founder of Saudi Arabia, the ruler who utilized the Ikhwan in his campaigns to unify the Arabian Peninsula.
Arabic and Turkish Translations
- Arabic: إخوان /هجرة
- Turkish: Kardeşler / İskan
Suggested Books for Further Studies
- “The Birth of Saudi Arabia: Britain and the Rise of the House of Sa’ud” by Gary Troeller.
- “Wahhabi Islam: From Revival and Reform to Global Jihad” by Natana DeLong-Bas.
- “Saudi Arabia in Transition: Insights on Social, Political, Economic and Religious Change” edited by Bernard Haykel, Thomas Hegghammer, and Stéphane Lacroix.
Takeaways
- The Ikhwan were a significant force in early 20th-century Arabian politics and military endeavors.
- They embodied strict Wahhabi principles and played a critical role in the formation of the modern Saudi state.
- Their eventual dissolution illustrated the challenges of integrating religious zeal with emerging state frameworks.
Conclusion
The Ikhwan movement represents both the strength and limits of religiously motivated military and social transformations in the Arabian Peninsula. Their initial successes in campaign and settlement were soon overshadowed by internal conflicts with the evolving goals of the Saudi state, culminating in their forcible disbandment. Understanding the Ikhwan provides critical insights into the historical processes shaping modern Saudi Arabia and the broader dynamics of Islamic reform movements.
