Sunday, 10 August 2014
I was greatly pleased by what my colleague, Professor Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al‑Faisal, wrote in this newspaper about the late King Saud bin Abdulaziz under the title “King Saud and Al‑Mishraq.” It was a beautiful reading of the history of this great king, who was the right arm of the founder of this nation—the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. As the writer noted, King Saud established many of the Kingdom’s systems, and I would add that he was the founder of many of its major institutions and monumental structures.
The King Saud Medical Complex, for instance, was built and inaugurated by his order. I recall a saying my late father used to relate about King Saud during the opening of the hospital. When someone remarked that the fenced land surrounding the hospital was excessively large, the King replied: “A day will come when you will find it crowded.” It was a farsighted strategic vision—may God have mercy on him.
He was also the founder of King Saud University and of most ministries. Anyone who examines the projects established during his reign will notice his forward‑looking mindset, especially regarding the vast land areas allocated for each institution—spaces that ministries continue to benefit from to this very day. This, as I mentioned, offers a clear reading of the King’s economic and future‑oriented thinking, whose impact remains evident even now.
King Saud’s generation called him “Abu Khayrayn”—the man of “two great generosities”—for his abundant benevolence toward his people. There was no barrier, material or emotional, separating him from any member of his nation. His near‑daily interaction with the public was a defining trait of his character—may God have mercy on him.
The American newspaper World Petroleum wrote:
“His Majesty the new King Saud bin Abdulaziz is strong and capable of succeeding his great late father. His Majesty is trained in the art of governance and well‑informed about world affairs, having traveled through Europe, the United States, and the Arab and Islamic countries. Above all, he enjoys genuine respect from his people and from foreigners who have had commercial or diplomatic dealings with him. He is a warrior who desires peace, and a devout Muslim who respects the beliefs of others.”
The Jerusalem‑based newspaper Al‑Sareeh wrote upon his accession to the throne:
“His Majesty King Saud bin Abdulaziz has charted for himself, from the moment he ascended his father’s throne, a new policy in the history of the Peninsula. He is constantly working to strengthen the bonds of Arab and Islamic brotherhood, traveling from one country to another to achieve this goal.”
His Majesty surrounded the Palestinian cause with compassion and care, giving to it without measure. He endured the hardships of traveling across Arab and Muslim lands to unify their word and organize joint action.
As for Al‑Aqsa Mosque, he was prepared to restore it at his own expense, were it not for his desire to leave room for his fellow Arab kings and presidents to participate. His telegram on the matter reflected his sincere feelings toward the first of the two qiblahs and the third of the holy sanctuaries.
We must also remember his generous donation to establish a charitable institution in Jerusalem bearing his noble name—just as he had done previously in Beirut, Damascus, and elsewhere. Such noble deeds testify to the King’s earnest desire to serve the Arab and Islamic worlds sincerely, seeking thereby the pleasure of his Lord, the welfare of his nation, and the good of his country.
Zainab Al‑Ghazali Al‑Jubayli wrote about King Saud’s character:
“The most prominent feature of Saud’s personality is his deep, studied, and researched faith. He is a Muslim who practices Islam not to please his subjects or gather them around him, but because he truly knows Islam. It flows through his being, pulses in his heartbeats, shines in the depths of his soul, and radiates across his features.
He upholds the pillars of Islam with his spirit and limbs, believing in it and trusting in its justice. He sees Islam as governance, politics, and worship, and does not believe it can be realized in the hearts of Muslims while its laws are suspended.
He is fully prepared to sacrifice his life, wealth, status, and everything he owns for the happiness of his people so long as they remain faithful to Islam.”
At the same time, he never hesitated to confront or discipline anyone who violated the religion or transgressed its limits. As he was a great king, he was also a practicing Muslim, a compassionate father, a kind husband, and a generous brother. I saw him sitting among his wife, children, and family members like a stream of flowing mercy, pure affection, sincere friendship, and noble brotherhood.
Thus, he was obeyed out of love more than fear. When a people’s loyalty to their ruler springs from mutual affection, governance becomes stable, security prevails, and the ruler can devote himself to the welfare of his people, while the people turn to work, reassurance, and continuous productivity. In sum, Saud’s personality was exceptional—shaped by pure Arab lineage: his mother from the heart of Najd, and his father from the noble roots of the Sarawat. He was the true son of Arab nobility.
King Saud’s military character emerged early. He was a distinguished fighter, a seasoned commander, a genius in planning campaigns, and a shrewd strategist in understanding his enemies, studying their ambitions, and uncovering the secrets of their policies. He was equally astute in diplomacy, capable of persuading adversaries to abandon their resolve and submit to his leadership.
Anyone who studies the battles and campaigns of his father—many of which Saud led and returned victorious from—will recognize the courage, valor, chivalry, and noble qualities that shone in his strong and captivating personality.
I conclude this article as my colleague Mohammed Al‑Faisal concluded his:
The personality of King Saud bin Abdulaziz still requires extensive research and study—not merely because he was a Saudi king, but because his character and achievements carry profound significance in politics, economics, and development.
I have said this before to his grandson, His Royal Highness Prince Dr. Faisal bin Mishaal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, who is a researcher upon whom much is expected in documenting the history and achievements of this great nation.
Thank you, Mohammed Al‑Faisal, for opening this subject.
And God is the One whose help is sought.
— Ibrahim bin Saad Al‑Majid