Shirk "polytheism" from the viewpoint of Wahhabism means associating partner with God and considering other beings as independent from Him. Wahhabism also regards turning for help to the prophets and seeking the intermediation "tawassul" of the saints as acts of polytheism.
According to this viewpoint, kissing and visiting the graves of the infallible Imams (’a) and the Prophet (s) are all acts of polytheism, unlawful and religious innovation "bid’ah".
According to the Wahhabis, the Shi`ah are polytheists or at least their beliefs have elements of polytheism.
The socio-political consequences of Tawhid and shirk "Polytheism" according to the Wahhabis
The late Muhammad Jawad Mughniyyah thus writes:
Based on the Wahhabi creed, mere utterance of ”La ilaha illallah wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan rasul Allah” (There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah) is not enough for the acceptance of Islam. After uttering it, one should rather not seek the inter mediation of other than God; not have the intention of paying homage to the Prophet (s); not touch and kiss his grave; not swear by the Prophet (s); and not call on him and addressing him, thus: “O the Messenger of Allah!” and “O my master!”
During his control of Mecca, Muhammad ibn Sa’ud (one of the rulers of Saudi Arabia) had said in his speech that with the exception of the Wahhabis, all Muslims are polytheists and must be reformed at the point of the sword so as to embrace Wahhabism. Contrary to his statement, however, King Faisal, the king of the Wahhabis, in his message issued in 1342 AH, says while addressing the Wahhabis: “And all Muslims, from Egypt, India, etc. are your brothers.”
This means that, “You should not be pessimistic with respect to the Muslims and you are not supposed to act according to this creed of Shaykh Muhammad ibn ’Abd al-Wahhab.”
Maintaining this belief by the Wahhabis would have such socio political consequences as considering all Muslims as polytheists and spreading sedition "fitnah" and chaos, for such a belief is an imperialist and anti-Islamic one.
Source:
A New Analysis of Wahhabi Doctrines
By: Muhammad Husayn Ibrahimi
ABWA Publishing and Printing Center
[Pg. 23-24].
