Abdul Aziz, in a large public gathering in 1787 chaired by Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab, forms a new type of inherited authority (Wilayat ul-A'hed) based on the Wahhabi views and, in direct opposition to the Khaleef, or Caliph, in Istanbul, declares himself leader of the Muslims.

'Abd al-'Aziz then appoints his son Saud as the Khalifah designate after him.

Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab agrees to this authority and passes a Fatwah of Jihad against the Ottomani Khilafah.