Al ash-Sheikh
[3] The term ash-Sheikh refers to the Islamic religious reformer Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, the family's ancestor.
[6] The Al ash-Sheikh are the descendants of Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, the 18th century founder of the Wahhabi sect which is today dominant in Saudi Arabia.
As a consequence, he began to preach a simple, puritanical form of Islam that warned against what he believed were religious innovations and critical of the moral laxity he claimed to see in his contemporaries.
[9] The religious establishment, led by Ibn Abd al-Wahhab and his family, benefitted from the expansion in an unprecedented manner, enjoying prestige and influence and sharing the treasury with the Al Saud.
[10] After his death in 1791, Ibn Abd al-Wahhab's legacy was carried on by his many descendants, who continued to hold positions of religious authority.
[9] The descendants of Ibn Abd al-Wahhab, on the other hand, have historically led the ulema, the body of Islamic religious leaders and scholars,[13] and dominated the Saudi state's clerical institutions.
[21] Following Ibn Abd al-Wahhab's death, his son, Abdullah bin Muhammad Al Sheikh, became leader of the Saudi religious establishment.
Rather than going into exile after the defeat, he decided to side with the Al-Rashid and moved to Ha'il, indicating that preservation of the Wahhabi cause took precedence over the family compact with the Al Saud.
[20] On the eve of Abdul Aziz's return from exile, the religious establishment had limited authority and influence after the decline in its fortunes of the 19th century.
[20] With the support of the Al ash-Sheikh and the other Wahhabi ulema, Abdul Aziz went on to conquer the rest of the territory that was to become Saudi Arabia and declared the formation of the new kingdom in 1932.
Their support remained essential for the legitimization of his regime and the process of integration of the conquered territories through religion, education and law.
[13] On the other hand, the alliance between Al ash-Sheikh and the House of Saud or more specifically Abdul Aziz was not free from tensions.
However, in the end, most of the Nejdi ulema agreed to recognize his authority on condition that, at least temporarily, his father Abd al-Rahman would carry the title of imam.
[24] The Al ash-Sheikh's position as leader of the ulema is significant because of the central role of religion in Saudi society.
[26] The ulema have also been a key influence in major government decisions,[18] have a significant role in the judicial and education systems[28] and a monopoly of authority in the sphere of religious and social morals.
[29] Believed to number several hundred individuals currently,[14] the Al ash-Sheikh has continued to produce religious leaders who have exercised great influence on government decision-making.
[33] The family's position is derived not only from their role in the ulema but also from being closely linked to the Al Saud by a high degree of intermarriage.
