The Conflict between the Wahhabi View and the Qur’anic Verses Concerning the Claim that the Prophets Did Not Call People to Divine Lordship

The Wahhabi view that the prophets did not call people to tawhid al-rububiyyah (monotheism in divine lordship) is based on their particular interpretation of verses such as those concerning the acknowledgment of God’s lordship by the polytheists. They maintain that polytheists throughout history affirmed God’s oneness in lordship and were guilty of polytheism only in the sphere of worship. Accordingly, they regard the prophets’ call to monotheism in divine lordship as unnecessary and redundant. Through an examination of Qur’anic verses, the statements of Sunni exegetes, and historical evidence, the present study demonstrates that the polytheists were not only guilty of polytheism with regard to divinity but also with regard to lordship. Furthermore, numerous verses of the Qur’an explicitly refer to the prophets’ call to tawhid al-rububiyyah, including the calls of Abraham (peace be upon him), Joseph (peace be upon him), Moses (peace be upon him), and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This analysis makes clear that the Wahhabi claim lacks Qur’anic and exegetical support and that the prophets’ call to monotheism in divine lordship constituted a fundamental and indispensable element of their prophetic mission.