Wahhabism

Wahhabism is a Salafist branch of Islam, founded in the 18th century by Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab. In 1744, Wahhab made a critical alliance with Muhammad ibn Saud, the founder of the House of Saud, which is the royal house of modern Saudi Arabia.

While Wahhabism regards some of the more strict Salafist interpretations of Sunni Islam, such as that of Sayyid Qutb, as heresy, it is very socially conservative. It does not demand a return to the customs of the Prophet, but demands Islamist rule under sharia.