Wahhabism is a conservative religious movement within Sunni Islam, based on the teachings of 18th-century Hanbali cleric Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab. It is an austere form of Islam that insists on a literal interpretation of the Quran and hadith, the recorded sayings and practices of the Prophet Muhammad. Wahhabis advocate for the purification of Islam, reject Islamic theology and philosophy developed after the death of the Prophet Muhammad, and call for strict adherence to the letter of the Quran and hadith. They maintain a strict and puritanical view of religious rites.

Wahhabism has been the primary religion of Saudi Arabia for many years. Critics say that Wahhabisms rigidity has led it to misinterpret and distort Islam, pointing to extremists such as Osama bin Laden and the Taliban. However, the term "Wahhabi" has been commonly invoked by various external observers to erroneously or pejoratively denote a wide range of reform movements across the Muslim world.

Wahhabis commonly describe themselves as "Salafis," that is, Muslims dedicated to reviving Islams original beliefs and practices. They share the same definition of monotheism that seeks to purify worship and that condemns Shiism, Sufism, and so forth. Salafis, however, consider Wahhabis to be in error when it comes to Islamic law. The disagreement stems from Wahhabisms affiliation with Hanbalism, one of the four historic legal traditions in Sunni Islam.