Regarding the Term
'The Wahhaabis'
Question:
This (female) questioner from France says that she has just professed Islaam and always hears of (the term) “Al-Wahabiyyah", so she desires clarification from the Shaykh regarding this issue, may Allaah protect him.
Answer:
I ask Allaah, O my daughter, that He establish you on Islaam and the Sunnah. O Allaah, establish her! [The Shaykh made this supplication three times]
(The term) “Al-Wahabiyyah” is attributed to Ash-Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Abdul Wahhaab (رحمه الله) because he was the one who revived the call of Tawheed in the middle part of the twelfth century of the hijrah. He was aided upon this revival by the Ameer, the Imaam, Muhammad ibn Saud, may Allaah have mercy upon them both.
This ascription (Al-Wahabiyyah) is used by the enemies; the enemies of Tawheed, the enemies of the Sunnah. So it has become, that every enemy of Tawheed and the Sunnah ascribes the person of Tawheed and the Sunnah with being “Wahabee". This is the explanation of the word “Al-Wahabiyyah”.
And perhaps you should know that it is an evil ascription both blameworthy and faulty, because Ash-Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Abdul Wahhaab (رحمه الله) did not ascribe himself with this. Likewise, this ascription was never attributed to him by the Scholars of the da’wah after him, nor from amongst his sons, grandchildren and brothers of the da’wah up until the present time.
It is not known from anyone from amongst them attributing him with this ascription except the people of superstitions, innovations, and Shirk. They are the ones who ascribe the people of the Sunnah with this ascription.
Shaykh `Ubayd al-Jaabiree
Tape recorded lecture.
Source: http://fatwaislam.com/fis/index.cfm?scn=fd&ID=175