A Comparative Study of Hanafi and Wahhabi Views on Muslim Vows (Nadhr)

This study aims to comparatively analyze the Hanafi jurisprudential perspective and the Wahhabi viewpoint regarding vows (nadhr), especially those made with the intention of drawing closer to God and dedicating their reward to the souls of the deceased or pious saints. According to authoritative opinions of all Islamic schools, including Hanafi jurisprudence, vows must be made with the purpose of seeking nearness to God.
The findings indicate that in Hanafi jurisprudence, the legitimacy of such vows—and similar acts done with the intention of closeness to God—is affirmed by Islamic law. However, many Wahhabi scholars regard such vows as polytheistic (shirk), illegitimate, innovated (bid‘ah), and contradictory to monotheistic principles. This research highlights the foundational and methodological differences between the two approaches, showing that divergent interpretations of concepts such as monotheism (tawhid), worship (‘ibadah), and the legitimacy of devotional acts constitute the root of their conflict.