Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab (1703-1792) was an Arabian Islamic scholar and theologian known for founding the Wahhabi movement. He advocated for a return to what he considered the purest form of Islam, emphasizing monotheism and rejecting practices he viewed as innovations or deviations from the teachings of the Qur'an and Hadith. His ideas gained significant influence in the Arabian Peninsula, particularly through his alliance with Muhammad bin Saud, the founder of the Saudi state. This partnership helped establish a political and religious framework that shaped the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and continues to impact Islamic thought and practice today.