Muhammad Ibn Abd al-Wahhab (MIAW) was an 18th-century Islamic reformer, scholar, jurist and writer. He is considered the first modern Islamic fundamentalist and extremist. He believed that for Muslims to be “true Muslims” they must adhere “exclusively and strictly to the original beliefs established by Muhammad.” (ask.com) This idea formed what many know today as the controversial Wahhabi movement. Muhammad Ibn Abd al-Wahhab was born into a society dominated by polytheistic beliefs. From a young age he rejected these religious values. He looked towards the Prophet's teachings for guidance. When you review his life and compare it with that of the Prophet Muhammad, you can see similar life experiences. As Natana J. Delong-Bas points out in Muhammad Ibn Abd Al-Wahhab: An Intellectual Biography, since there appear to be parallels between the lives of the two individuals, we must remember that some of al-Wahhab's actions “reflect a self-conscious effort on the part of the MIAW himself to engage in such personal creation. (cite) Al-Wahhab placed great importance on studying and following Muhammad's examples. Because of the great importance he placed on Muhammad, it is fair to assume that some of his works and actions similar to those of the Prophet were consciously planned. There are, however, some experiences that are clearly out of al-Wahhab's control, but are nevertheless similar experiences faced by the Prophet. Muhammad Ibn Abd al-Wahhab was born in 1702 in al-Uyaynah, the province of Najd in Arabia. He grew up in Najd at a time when polytheism had spread widely. (web page) The people of Najd believed in the supernatural powers of trees, rocks, tombs and shrines. They would seek blessings and benefits... middle of paper... al-Wahhab traveled to Dareyya, where he made an agreement with ruler Muhammad bin Saud to aid the emergence of the first Saudi state, which was based on the religious ideas of al-Wahhab. In 1773 MIAW retired from his political life and devoted himself "to learning, teaching and worship until his death in 1791". (cite) When comparing the life of Muhammad Ibn Abd al-Wahhab and that of the Prophet, there are many differences and similarities to point out. Inside Al-Wahhab was born into an environment very similar to that of the Prophet. Both lived in a corrupt state of polytheism. The Prophet, however, being an orphan, did not have the parental support that al-Wahhab received. Al-Wahhab's teenage years contrasted with those of the Prophet. When al-Wahhab was a teenager he was busy studying and participating in debates while the Prophet worked as a shepherd to try to help support himself. QUOTE