A Working Paper Presented at the Centennial Conference
Title: The Role Played by King Saud alongside His Father in the Founding of the Kingdom
Author: HRH Princess Fahda bint Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
Introduction
Some time ago, I contemplated preparing a historical study on the life of King Saud bin Abdulaziz—may God have mercy on him. The idea persisted in my mind because, although he has departed this world, the legacy of his achievements remains alive; their endurance to this day attests to the soundness of their conception and execution. His role and contribution to the establishment and unification of the country, alongside his father, constitute the central theme of this research.
I felt it only just to honor King Saud in a manner befitting his stature. How fitting it is to pay tribute to one who gave so much to his nation and worked tirelessly for its development. The finest form of tribute is to recount events faithfully and document them without omission or embellishment. When the announcement was made for the conference “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in One Hundred Years,” I found the opportunity to present a study on my father—may God have mercy on him—drawing upon the scientific references and local and foreign documents I had collected over many years, in addition to materials provided by friends.
Saud was among the most prominent partners and supporters of his father in building and developing the Kingdom until it reached its present form as a modern and advanced state within a remarkably short period.
I endeavored to narrate and document events objectively, distancing myself from the emotional influences of a daughter writing about her father. I adopted a historical research methodology, exercising caution as I reviewed his contributions and achievements, recognizing that what is researched and recorded becomes part of the national historical record—one that must be preserved with accuracy.
I did not reject any fact mentioned in the sources, for it is his right that we examine his actions through study, research, critique, and evaluation.
King Saud’s contributions preceded his accession to the throne; indeed, they predated even the unification of the Arabian Peninsula. As the eldest surviving son of the founder after the death of Prince Turki, he was born on the very day his father recaptured Riyadh. He accompanied his father in military campaigns as he grew older, commanded the army in several of his father’s conquests, helped reconcile rival tribes, and won over adversaries through goodwill and diplomacy—qualities his father valued and considered essential to achieving his goals.
Upon his appointment as Crown Prince, he played a pivotal role as the second-ranking figure in the state. He was entrusted with numerous domestic and foreign responsibilities and was delegated significant administrative, financial, and military authority. He represented his father in many international visits and negotiations during critical global political circumstances.
The reign of King Saud bin Abdulaziz was among the most challenging periods any monarch could face. As the eldest son and successor to the founder, he was constantly compared to his father throughout his rule. Moreover, he began his reign at a time when global politics had undergone profound changes: economic power had begun to overshadow political and military power, and development had become a central objective. This required revising earlier systems and expanding engagement with the outside world to import what was needed for national development—an approach treated with caution during King Abdulaziz’s era. This openness had its supporters and its critics, particularly among those wary of closer ties with Western nations.
The international community viewed him as an Islamic leader, successor to King Abdulaziz, who had unified warring tribes—many of which had relied on raiding, banditry, and attacks on pilgrims—and transformed them into a cohesive Islamic society. Faith was his method and path to unity, gathering them under the banner of “There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God.” King Saud’s inheritance of this Islamic leadership added to his domestic responsibilities broader regional and Islamic obligations. At times he followed his father’s approach; at other times, rapidly changing circumstances required decisions different from those of the previous era. He governed during a time of emerging global blocs with conflicting ideologies, interests, and objectives. He was seen as both an Islamic leader and the head of the largest Arab and Islamic economic power.
Despite these challenges, King Saud—may God have mercy on him—worked tirelessly for the welfare of his nation and the Arab and Islamic world. He remained committed to the principles he had embraced throughout his life—from assisting his father in unifying the Kingdom, to his years as Crown Prince, and finally during his reign as King until his passing.
Dedication, diligence, and swift execution were hallmarks of his leadership. His devotion to serving his country never waned, fulfilling the promise he made to his people upon assuming the throne. Beyond his work ethic, his humanity distinguished him. Kindness was his gateway into the hearts of the people. King Abdulaziz repeatedly recognized this quality in him, both before and after unification. He saw in Saud’s goodwill a means of building bridges with others, strengthening tribal unity, and fostering loyalty. Saud’s compassion enabled him to understand the needs of the vulnerable, listen to their concerns, and respond to their hardships during his visits across the Kingdom—both in his father’s time and during his own reign.
My modest contribution in preparing this research, despite the limited time, faced challenges in gathering local sources. However, through access to numerous foreign and Arab references, I discovered that many of King Saud’s achievements had not been documented, and that much of his contribution remained understudied. Recording these achievements was not among his personal concerns, for he saw himself as a servant of his faith, his father, and his nation.
I hope that this initial, concise study will encourage historians and researchers in our country to explore the many dimensions of King Saud’s era and his achievements at the local, Arab, and Islamic levels. It is our duty to give him his rightful place in historical documentation, using standards consistent with the values and context of his time. If we succeed in this endeavor, we will have fulfilled part of our responsibility toward our nation and its history.
Historical Background of the Al Saud Prior to the Recapture of Riyadh (1308–1319 AH / 1891–1902 CE)
Any historical study of the Saudi state must begin with Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal bin Turki Al Saud, one of its foundational figures.
Imam Abdulrahman was born and raised in Najd, as were his forefathers, specifically in Riyadh—the heart and symbol of Najd. His life represents the link between the Second Saudi State, which ended in 1308 AH / 1891 CE, and the Third Saudi State, which began in 1319 AH / 1902 CE. He lived through two periods marked by local, regional, and global tensions.
During this time, the Arabian Peninsula was fragmented, ruled by various sheikhs, and inhabited by rival tribes engaged in continuous conflict. The Ottoman Empire, which had ruled for over four centuries, sought to maintain control, even as signs of weakness appeared due to British efforts to expand their influence over strategic regions of the Arab world.
Regions such as Ha’il, Qassim, and the Hijaz remained under Ottoman influence, while some Gulf sheikhdoms were under British protection. The central Arabian Peninsula, however, remained relatively untouched by foreign ambitions due to its poverty and distance from centers of geopolitical competition.
Imam Abdulrahman—then forty years old and the youngest of his brothers—assumed leadership of the family in Riyadh after the death of his brother Imam Abdullah bin Faisal in 1307 AH / 1889 CE. He wrote to Emir Muhammad bin Rashid, the ruler of Ha’il and leader of the Shammar tribe, requesting the removal of his representative Fahad bin Rukhays due to his harsh treatment of the people. Muhammad bin Rashid replaced him with Salim al‑Sabhan, known for his severity. Imam Abdulrahman sensed danger and attempted to arrest al‑Sabhan during Eid al‑Adha, but he escaped. Some sources state that he was arrested and later released after negotiations.
The people of Qassim rebelled and sought military support from Imam Abdulrahman in exchange for pledging allegiance to him. Muhammad bin Rashid besieged Riyadh for forty days, ending with a truce that restored the previous status quo. This was the first political role played by Abdulaziz, son of Imam Abdulrahman, who helped negotiate the settlement.
The truce did not last. Imam Abdulrahman made several attempts to rally support but faced difficulties that prevented him from confronting Ibn Rashid—especially after hearing of the defeat of the people of Qassim in the Battle of al‑Mulayda in 1308 AH / 1891 CE, in which he was unable to participate. He was forced to leave Riyadh with his family, including his fifteen‑year‑old son Abdulaziz, leaving behind his brother Muhammad. He later returned briefly to Riyadh but was defeated again near Huraymila and fled with his family to the region of al‑Ahsa.
While awaiting permission from Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa of Bahrain to settle his family there, he remained in the eastern desert observing events. Approval eventually came through the mediation of Hafiz Pasha, the Ottoman governor of al‑Ahsa, allowing him to reside in Ottoman‑controlled territories. Imam Abdulrahman chose Kuwait after his initial request had been denied. The Ottomans granted him a monthly stipend. Kuwait was the ideal location for monitoring developments in Najd and neighboring regions. At that time, it was ruled by Sheikh Muhammad Al‑Sabah, who was later killed along with his brother Jarrah by their brother Mubarak in 1312 AH / 1894 CE.
Muhammad bin Rashid died in 1316 AH / 1897 CE and was succeeded by his nephew Abdulaziz bin Mut‘ib bin Rashid.
Amid these harsh circumstances, Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman—born in Riyadh in 1293 AH / 1876 CE—grew up accompanying his father in exile, enduring hardship from their time among the Bani Murra tribes in the desert until their settlement in Kuwait. Kuwait, relatively open to the outside world, was far removed from Najd, the homeland of his ancestors and the seat of their legacy.
Conditions continued to deteriorate. Rivalries intensified as the Rashidis and Ottomans sought control over central Arabia, neighboring states pursued their own ambitions, and Britain sought alliances with the strongest local powers to advance its political interests.
Abdulaziz observed all these developments, yet he and his father were unable to return home. Their attempts to regain power failed due to limited resources and the Rashidis’ dominance in the region, most notably in 1318 AH / 1901 CE.
Nevertheless, his determination to reclaim Riyadh and revive the glory of his forefathers inspired him to make another attempt. With a small group of loyal relatives and supporters who shared his dream, he embarked on a daring mission that culminated in the historic recapture of Riyadh in 1319 AH / 1902 CE.
The Recapture of Riyadh and the Birth of King Saud (1319 AH / 1902 CE)
Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman succeeded in recapturing the city of Riyadh and re‑establishing his authority over it, despite the scarcity of material and human resources and the hardships he and his men endured in the desert.
At that time, the Arabian Peninsula—particularly the Gulf region—was divided between the competing interests and influence of Britain and the Ottoman Empire. The young prince found himself surrounded by two great powers, each seeking dominance and expansion, yet neither paid significant attention to the House of Saud due to their weakened circumstances at the time. (3)
The recapture of Riyadh under such conditions, and the achievement of his long‑awaited goal, marked an unforgettable day in the history of Najd: 5 Shawwal 1319 AH / 15 January 1902 CE. This date signaled the beginning of a new era—the era of the Third Saudi State. On that very night, a son was born to him in Kuwait. When Abdulaziz received the news of his son’s birth after reclaiming Riyadh, he named him Saud, in commemoration of the victory that restored the glory of his forefathers and as an expression of optimism for the future he envisioned.
The infant Saud remained in Kuwait with his grandfather, Imam Abdulrahman, and the rest of the family. They did not return to Riyadh until security had been restored and Abdulaziz had established the necessary defensive arrangements for the city.
Abdulaziz then summoned his father and family to Riyadh and welcomed them with great celebration. He offered his father, Imam Abdulrahman, the reins of power, declaring that he would serve as a soldier under his command. However, Imam Abdulrahman declined, out of appreciation for his son and confidence in his personal qualities, which he believed fully equipped him to serve his faith, his people, and their interests. Yet, due to Abdulaziz’s insistence—and the urging of the notables and elders—Imam Abdulrahman agreed to continue his role as their Imam, advisor, and counselor in the governance of the country.
Imam Abdulrahman, may God have mercy on him, played a positive and supportive role in fulfilling his responsibilities and safeguarding his son’s interests, especially during Abdulaziz’s absences from Riyadh. He continued in this role throughout his life until his passing in Riyadh in 1346 AH / 1928 CE.
A Brief Account of King Saud’s Mother and Maternal Relatives (Āl ʿUrayʿir)
Saud bin Abdulaziz had an elder brother named Turki—the namesake of their father—born in 1318 AH / 1900 CE. He also had two full brothers who died in early childhood, and a sister named Munīrah.
Their mother was Wadha bint Muhammad al‑Husayn Āl ʿUrayʿir, of the Āl Ḥumayd branch. The Āl ʿUrayʿir family traces its lineage to the renowned Bani Khalid tribe, known for its strength, influence, and wide presence across the Arabian Peninsula and the Gulf. The Āl ʿUrayʿir were the sheikhs of Bani Khalid, traditionally considered of Adnanite origin, though some accounts suggest a Qahtanite lineage. They migrated from their earlier homelands in the Levant and Hijaz to al‑Ahsa, settling in the region bounded by Wadi Maqtaʿ to the north, the Ṣummān highlands to the west, and al‑Bayāḍ to the south. They are linked to the Qurayshi clan of Bani Makhzum, the lineage of the famed Companion Khalid ibn al‑Walid, may God be pleased with him.
When Bani Khalid arrived in al‑Ahsa, they controlled vast areas of the Gulf at various points in history, having expelled Ottoman influence from al‑Ahsa around 1080 AH / 1869 CE. (4)
According to some narrators from Bani Khalid, a dispute arose between the Āl al‑Sardāḥ and Āl ʿUrayʿir—both branches of Āl Ḥumayd—after the decline of Bani Khalid during the Second Saudi State. They migrated to Basra and lived under the protection of the Āl al‑Saʿdūn, sheikhs of the Muntafiq tribe. When Wadha’s father, Muhammad al‑Husayn Āl ʿUrayʿir, passed away, her mother (ʿAbṭah al‑Sardāḥ) moved with Wadha and her sister Ḥaṣṣah to al‑Qatif, seeking refuge with her brothers Nahar and Ṭalmas al‑Sardāḥ. They wished to marry the girls into their own branch, but their mother refused, insisting they marry only into their paternal clan, Āl ʿUrayʿir.
She sought the help of Ḥamādah bin Abdullah al‑Husayn Āl ʿUrayʿir, their paternal cousin, who was visiting the marshlands of Iraq after traveling from Kuwait. He returned, took Wadha with him to Kuwait, and arranged her marriage to King Abdulaziz, with whom he had a close relationship—introduced through Sheikh Mubarak Al‑Sabah, who later married Wadha’s sister Ḥaṣṣah.
Wadha Āl ʿUrayʿir, mother of King Saud, was the second wife of King Abdulaziz; his first wife had borne him no children.
The relationship between King Abdulaziz and Ḥamādah Āl ʿUrayʿir remained strong. Ḥamādah accompanied him in many campaigns, and his son Naif was a close friend of Princes Turki and Saud. Naif fought alongside Saud in the Yemen War and died shortly after King Saud’s passing. (5)
King Abdulaziz, known for his political acumen, strengthened his alliances with tribes through marriage, including prominent families across the Peninsula. This strategy helped reduce tribal conflicts. Given the proximity of the Gulf to Najd, he sought to reinforce ties with its tribes, including Bani Khalid, during his residence in Kuwait—an alliance that proved beneficial, as the Gulf served as Najd’s maritime and commercial outlet.
Wadha was not the only woman from Bani Khalid whom King Abdulaziz married. He later married al‑ʿAnūd bint Barghash al‑Sardāḥ, then divorced her, and subsequently married her sister Sarah, whom he also divorced. Later, he married Ḥaṣṣah, Wadha’s sister, after her divorce from Mubarak Al‑Sabah, and she returned to live with Wadha in Riyadh. He also married Umm Dalīl bint Abdulaziz (from the Mahāshīl branch of Bani Khalid) and Umm Shaykhah bint Abdulaziz from Āl al‑Mandīl of Bani Khalid. Imam Abdulrahman also married Munīrah bint Hutaymī Āl Thunayyān of the Mahāshīl, mother of Abdullah bin Abdulrahman. Moreover, King Abdulaziz’s maternal grandmother (mother of his mother Sarah bint Ahmad al‑Sudairi) was from Āl al‑Nuwairān of the Mahāshīl. (6)
When the modern Saudi state was established and stipends were allocated to tribal sheikhs and notable families according to their contributions, King Saud refused to grant his maternal relatives any special privileges beyond those given to others.
Wadha, his mother, lived to witness the death of five of her children. She passed away forty days after King Saud’s death, in Riyadh. She was a pious woman known for generosity and compassion. She dedicated one‑third of her wealth as ongoing charity for the poor and built several mosques in Riyadh.
His sister Munīrah bint Abdulaziz married Turki bin Abdullah bin Saud bin Faisal, then her cousin Khalid bin Muhammad bin Abdulrahman, and after their divorce, she married Fahd bin Saad bin Abdulrahman. She bore him Abdullah and Muḍī, both of whom died young. Munīrah herself died during childbirth at Qasr al‑Murabbaʿ. (7) She was known for her strong personality and was close to her brother Saud, who often sought her counsel.
His brother Turki bin Abdulaziz married the daughter of ʿUbayd bin Rashid before the Battle of Jarab and fathered Faisal. He later married Ṭarfah Āl Muhannā of Qassim, who bore him Ḥaṣṣah. (8) Historical sources describe Prince Turki as a courageous warrior who accompanied his father from childhood. King Abdulaziz trained both Turki and Saud in the arts of war. Turki accompanied his father to Kuwait at the age of ten in 1328 AH / 1910 CE to join Sheikh Mubarak Al‑Sabah in a campaign against the sheikhs of Dhafir and Sheikh Saʿdūn. He also joined other campaigns, including the Battle of Abu Layla against the Bani Hajar near al‑Ahsa. (9)
When King Abdulaziz regained control of Qassim, he appointed Turki as its governor to confront Ibn Rashid. Turki remained in Buraydah for two years before joining his father’s army alongside Saud at Yatib to face Ibn Rashid. (10) He was renowned for bravery, exceptional horsemanship, and administrative ability, and he closely resembled his father in appearance and character. (11)
He died in the prime of his youth in 1337 AH / 1919 CE during the outbreak of the Spanish influenza epidemic, which also claimed the life of his younger brother Fahd, who had been raised by Wadha after his mother’s death (from Āl al‑Dakhīl). (12) That year became known as “The Year of Mercy” due to the large number of deaths. His passing caused profound grief for King Abdulaziz, his mother, his brother Saud, and the entire family. It was said that King Abdulaziz was rarely seen without tears in his eyes when Turki’s name was mentioned.
King Saud: His Childhood, Upbringing, Education, and Participation in Military Campaigns
(1319–1334 AH / 1902–1915 CE)**
King Saud was born and raised in Kuwait in the household of his grandfather, Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal, and his grandmother, Sarah bint Ahmad Al‑Sudairi, who loved him deeply and saw in her grandsons the image of her absent son, Abdulaziz, who was facing dangers and fighting battles to restore the glory of his forefathers and unify the country. Saud and his brother Turki grew up under the close care of their grandparents, whose influence shaped their early upbringing. Elderly relatives recount that their grandmother treated them as young men rather than children from an early age.
When King Abdulaziz regained control of Riyadh, he summoned his father and family to join him there in 1319 AH / 1902 CE. No definitive evidence exists regarding the exact circumstances or date of Turki and Saud’s arrival in Riyadh, but oral accounts from members of the Al‑Sabah family suggest that they traveled to Riyadh in 1323 AH / 1905 CE, accompanying their grandfather upon his return from a visit to the Ottoman governor of Basra in Kuwait.
At the age of five, Saud was placed by his father under the tutelage of Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Mufayrij, the most renowned Qur’an reciter and teacher in Riyadh at the time. His school—known as Madrasat al‑Mufayrij—was the largest Qur’anic school in the city. Under his instruction, Saud studied religion, jurisprudence, Hadith, and Qur’anic exegesis, and completed the memorization of the Qur’an at the age of eleven. (13)
King Abdulaziz ensured that Saud and his brother Turki attended his own gatherings and those of their grandfather, Imam Abdulrahman, surrounding them with care and affection. As Saud grew older, he earned his father’s trust and began undertaking certain military, political, and administrative responsibilities independently. King Abdulaziz entrusted him with tasks that would develop his diplomatic and political acumen, after he had studied political and diplomatic sciences under Abdullah Al‑Damluji and Sheikh Hafiz Wahbah—two of the most prominent figures working with King Abdulaziz at the time. (14)
Saud’s close association with his father and grandfather exposed him to the customs and traditions of the tribes and the desert, and he mastered marksmanship, hunting, and horsemanship. From an early age, he was inclined toward the life of the desert. He accompanied his father and senior commanders on campaigns, witnessing firsthand the arts of warfare and military planning. In a short time, he became one of King Abdulaziz’s most trusted aides during critical political circumstances in which the King was in great need of capable supporters.
Numerous sources—family, local, foreign, and diplomatic—describe the young Saud as closely resembling his father in height, build, demeanor, and many of his noble qualities: integrity, courage, generosity, and a strong inclination toward truthfulness. He was known for his forgiving nature, yet he was firm and resolute when necessary. He was physically strong, spoke little, and listened attentively to those addressing him.
King Abdulaziz tested Saud’s endurance and patience, cultivated his leadership abilities, and taught him how to deal with tribes and understand their genealogies—skills that greatly contributed to earning their trust and acceptance of his leadership. It was customary for King Abdulaziz to take his sons—beginning with Turki and Saud—on military campaigns once they reached an age he deemed appropriate.
The first battle in which Saud participated alongside his brother Turki was the Battle of Jarab, near Al‑Zulfi, against the ruler of Ha’il, Mutʿib bin Rashid, who had advanced aggressively in 1333 AH / 1915 CE. Saud was thirteen years old at the time. No detailed information survives regarding his specific role in the battle, except that when King Abdulaziz returned to Al‑Qassim, he ordered his sons to return to Riyadh with their brother Muhammad (born 1328 AH / 1910 CE). (15)
The Battle of Jarab became well‑known due to the death of Captain William Shakespear, the British political agent in Kuwait, who was a supporter and friend of King Abdulaziz. The battle occurred shortly after King Abdulaziz’s recapture of Al‑Ahsa in 1333 AH / 1914 CE.
Shakespear’s presence at Jarab was due to his visit to King Abdulaziz to negotiate the terms of a treaty between Britain and the emerging Saudi state. King Abdulaziz advised him to remain in Al‑Zulfi until the battle ended, but Shakespear insisted on joining the campaign. The battle concluded without a decisive victory for either side. King Abdulaziz’s primary objective in signing the treaty with Britain was to secure protection from repeated Ottoman aggression and to obtain financial and military assistance against the Al‑Rashid. Shakespear’s death delayed the treaty for nearly a year, until late 1334 AH / 1915 CE. After the treaty was signed, King Abdulaziz received from the British authorities a subsidy of 20,000 pounds sterling, 1,000 rifles, and a supply of ammunition, along with permission to import additional quantities through Bahrain when needed. (16)
The Battle of Jarab was a turning point in Saud’s life. For the first time, he witnessed how military campaigns were conducted and how political negotiations and treaties were concluded. King Abdulaziz, recognizing in his son endurance, courage, and a remarkable ability to absorb the lessons of war at such a young age, began relying on him increasingly. He kept him close during missions and entrusted him with responsibilities intended to develop his skills—such as accompanying him in the Battle of Abu Layla, near Al‑Ahsa, against the Bani Hajar. (17)
Events continued to unfold, including conflicts with the Ajman tribe, such as the Battle of Kanzan, in which Saad bin Abdulrahman was killed and King Abdulaziz was wounded. Relations also deteriorated between King Abdulaziz and Sheikh Mubarak Al‑Sabah of Kuwait (who died in 1334 AH / 1915 CE). Mubarak was succeeded by his son Jaber, who held goodwill toward Abdulaziz but died a year later. He was followed by his brother, Sheikh Salim Al‑Sabah, who openly expressed hostility toward Abdulaziz and pursued policies antagonistic to him. King Abdulaziz thus found himself surrounded by threats—from the new ruler of Kuwait, from Ibn Rashid in the north, from the Sharifs in the west, and from various tribes. This sense of encirclement compelled him to seek an understanding with a major power influential in the region: Britain.
Saud’s Visit to Qatar as His Father’s Envoy (1333 AH / 1915 CE)
Amid these mounting dangers, and with his sons standing by him, King Abdulaziz dispatched Saud in the same year to the new ruler of Qatar, Sheikh Abdullah bin Qasim Al‑Thani, who had succeeded his father and viewed Abdulaziz’s recapture of Al‑Ahsa with displeasure. The purpose of the visit was to ease tensions. Sheikh Abdullah welcomed Saud, who headed the delegation representing his father, and the mission succeeded in achieving its objectives.
This assignment was the first diplomatic mission entrusted to Saud by King Abdulaziz, aimed at strengthening relations with the new Qatari ruler. Another key objective of the visit was to reconcile with Salman bin Muhammad bin Saud bin Faisal, a cousin of King Abdulaziz residing in Qatar after joining the Ajman in their conflict against Abdulaziz.
Saud’s Emergence in His Father’s Military Campaigns (1336 AH / 1917 CE)
It had become evident to King ʿAbd al‑ʿAzīz that the political situation in the region was growing increasingly complex, particularly after the Ottoman Empire decided to join Germany during the First World War, followed by Britain’s attempts—since the signing of its earlier agreement with ʿAbd al‑ʿAzīz—to draw the Arabs into the war on the side of the Allies. Consequently, the Government of India (British) dispatched Mr. Philby and Colonel Owen to assess the situation, negotiate with King ʿAbd al‑ʿAzīz, and mediate a reconciliation between him and Sharif Husayn in 1336 AH / 1917 CE.
Once an opportunity for attack presented itself—after ʿAbd al‑ʿAzīz received appeals for assistance from elements rebelling against Ibn Rashīd—he advanced toward Ḥāʾil and succeeded in reaching its outskirts. However, he did not remain long before its fortifications due to the absence of adequate artillery capable of breaching them. This occurred in late 1336 AH / August 1918 CE. Among the operations of this campaign was the Battle of Yatib, named after a nearby spring where the fighting took place. In this battle, Saud—who participated alongside his brother Turki—displayed remarkable courage despite his young age.
When news arrived of the Allied and Arab victories over the Ottomans in Palestine and Syria, Ibn Rashīd was compelled to conclude a truce with King ʿAbd al‑ʿAzīz, though it did not last long. During this period, Turki bin ʿAbd al‑ʿAzīz passed away, leaving the responsibilities of the eldest son to Saud.
Saud’s Delegated Command of the Armies and His Effective Administration of Tribal Affairs (1337–1343 AH / 1918–1924 CE)
Saud’s upbringing, education, and political training—both in the aforementioned events and those that followed—constituted an integral part of the history of his father, ʿAbd al‑ʿAzīz, who personally supervised these aspects. He exposed Saud to the complex and multi‑layered political developments of the time, which he himself navigated with skill and foresight. At the same time, ʿAbd al‑ʿAzīz became increasingly confident in Saud’s military capabilities and his diplomatic skill in dealing with the tribes.
Thus, for the first time, he entrusted Saud with independent command of an army following the Battle of Turbah in 1337 AH / 1918 CE, which had been fought against the forces of the Sharif. Saud proved his military leadership, and his talents as a commander emerged clearly at the age of sixteen. He was determined to embark on a new phase of his life—one in which he would demonstrate to his father that he was worthy of his trust and capable of bearing the responsibilities placed upon him. The significance of the Battle of Turbah lies in the fact that it opened the road for ʿAbd al‑ʿAzīz toward the Ḥijāz.
Following Turbah, Saud undertook punitive expeditions against rebellious elements of the ʿUtaybah tribe under the leadership of al‑Kharrāṣ, one of the tribal chiefs loyal to Sharif Husayn bin ʿAlī. This occurred in a place called Shurmah near the wells of al‑Dufaynah. Saud was accompanied in this campaign by Ibn Rubayʿān, Ibn Muḥayyā, and other prominent leaders of ʿUtaybah, as well as Sharif Manṣūr bin Ghālib bin Luʾayy and the princes Salmān and Saud bin ʿAbd Allāh of the Āl Saud. Saud defeated them at al‑Dufaynah in late Ramaḍān 1338 AH / 1919 CE. After their dispersal, he pursued them a second time between the Ḥijāz and Najd, capturing many of their leaders before returning to Riyadh, where news of his victories had preceded him.
During this period, events were unfolding rapidly. Among the most significant was Britain’s decision to convene the Cairo Conference under the chairmanship of Winston Churchill, Secretary of State for the Colonies, to determine the future political shape of the Middle East and outline the plans for implementing it. One of the conference’s decisions that particularly troubled King ʿAbd al‑ʿAzīz was the appointment of Sharif Faisal bin al‑Husayn as King of Iraq.
To keep pace with these developments, ʿAbd al‑ʿAzīz convened a general assembly in Riyadh, inviting scholars, notables, and tribal leaders to determine the official title by which he should be addressed in international affairs. The assembly unanimously agreed that he should be titled “Sultan of Najd.” When British authorities in Iraq learned of this, they sent formal congratulations and recognized his new title on 22/12/1339 AH / 2 August 1921 CE. From that moment, ʿAbd al‑ʿAzīz was officially addressed as “Sultan of Najd.”
After the Cairo Conference and its outcomes—particularly the granting of the Iraqi throne to Sharif Faisal and the Emirate of Transjordan to his elder brother Sharif ʿAbd Allāh—ʿAbd al‑ʿAzīz felt danger encircling him from multiple directions. He therefore resolved to strengthen his internal position and eliminate the Emirate of Āl Rashīd. Preparations began, and before long he found sufficient justification to launch an offensive after the truce was broken.
When planning was complete and operations commenced, ʿAbd al‑ʿAzīz dispatched Saud at the head of a large Ikhwān force to al‑Shuʿaybah, south of Mount Ajā in the Shammar highlands. Saud attacked the Rashīd forces and seized considerable spoils, but the severe drought that year hindered further advance toward Ḥāʾil. ʿAbd al‑ʿAzīz then ordered a detachment to be sent near Buqayq while he advanced to al‑Ajfar. As no significant fighting occurred, the forces withdrew to Riyadh in 1338 AH / 1919 CE.
The Sultan did not cease preparing for the conquest of Ḥāʾil. In the summer of 1340 AH / 1921 CE, accompanied by nearly ten thousand fighters, he devised a plan to encircle Shammar from three directions. He assigned one division to his brother Muḥammad to besiege Ḥāʾil, another to Saud to attack Shammar directly, and retained the third under his own command in al‑Qaṣīm as a reserve force. His confidence in Saud’s ability to bear the burden alone was unwavering. Saud and the Ikhwān attacked the Shammar nomads, seized the village of al‑Khāṣirah east of Ḥāʾil, and captured abundant spoils. Meanwhile, Muḥammad advanced toward the outskirts of Ḥāʾil, and the chief of the Muṭayr tribe, Faisal al‑Dawīsh, was tasked with launching a diversionary attack from the south.
As operations intensified, ʿAbd al‑ʿAzīz recalled his brother Muḥammad and entrusted Saud with supreme command. The siege of Ḥāʾil continued for two months with increasing pressure. When ʿAbd Allāh bin Mutʿib Rashīd realized the severity of the situation, he contemplated reconciliation and decided to surrender to Saud’s camp, knowing Saud for his chivalry, magnanimity, and noble character. Saud welcomed him with the respect befitting a ruler and guest, and personally escorted him to his father. This gesture left a profound impression on Ibn Rashīd and reassured others who sought peace to avoid further bloodshed and hardship.
King ʿAbd al‑ʿAzīz recognized in Saud the qualities of diplomacy, graciousness, and the ability to win over even the fiercest adversaries—traits that would make Saud indispensable in resolving the most delicate tribal matters throughout his life. Although Ibn Rashīd surrendered, some Shammar factions rejected his decision and appointed Muḥammad Ṭalāl bin Rashīd as their leader to resist ʿAbd al‑ʿAzīz. The King ordered Saud to return to Ḥāʾil to confront the rebels. When fighting intensified between the Rashīd forces and those of al‑Dawīsh, Saud was again ordered to support al‑Dawīsh, which he did until victory was secured and Muḥammad Ṭalāl retreated to Ḥāʾil. Meanwhile, ʿAbd al‑ʿAzīz continued pressing from the north and northeast, while Saud’s forces remained positioned near Mount Ajā. When Muḥammad Ṭalāl found no alternative, he surrendered. It is said that when the surrendering leaders greeted King ʿAbd al‑ʿAzīz, he directed them to Saud’s tent as well to pay their respects. The campaign concluded with the capture of al‑Jawf.
Saud’s pivotal role in the surrender of Ḥāʾil elevated his standing in his father’s eyes, who saw in him many of his own qualities at a similar age. After these events, which culminated in the fall of the Rashīd capital, King ʿAbd al‑ʿAzīz married the widow of Ibn Rashīd and adopted her children, while Saud married a woman from the Rashīd family—steps intended to end the long‑standing conflict between the two houses.
The Annexation of the Ḥijāz and King ʿAbd al‑ʿAzīz’s Reliance on Saud in Administering State Affairs (1343–1348 AH / 1924–1929 CE)
Following these developments, King ʿAbd al‑ʿAzīz ordered the expansion of military operations. Saud remained at his side, assisting in planning, monitoring developments, and supervising execution. ʿAbd al‑ʿAzīz annexed ʿAsīr and al‑Ṭāʾif, and in 1343 AH / 1924 CE achieved one of his greatest aspirations: the incorporation of the spiritual heart of the Islamic world—Mecca, the Qiblah of Muslims and the cradle of revelation.
For the first time in his life, ʿAbd al‑ʿAzīz entered Mecca in a state of iḥrām, leaving Saud in Riyadh to administer the government under the supervision of his grandfather, Imam ʿAbd al‑Raḥmān, who was held in deep respect and affection. Saud continued as his father’s deputy in Riyadh until ʿAbd al‑ʿAzīz entered Jeddah. Medina subsequently surrendered, and after ʿAbd al‑ʿAzīz was proclaimed King of the Ḥijāz, his official title became “Sultan of Najd and Its Dependencies and King of the Ḥijāz.” His investiture was an Islamic ceremony held in the Sacred Mosque and was repeated throughout the country by regional governors on his behalf.
In the summer of 1344 AH / 1925 CE, Saud sought his father’s permission to perform the pilgrimage with him—his first ḥajj. It was customary for the Egyptian “Maḥmal” to arrive accompanied by soldiers and a military band. When the procession entered Mecca, a group of Ikhwān pilgrims objected to the presence of the band and threw stones at it. Instead of responding with restraint, the Egyptian officer opened fire, resulting in casualties.
Upon learning of the incident, King ʿAbd al‑ʿAzīz immediately dispatched Saud and Faisal to contain the situation before it escalated. Both exposed themselves to gunfire in the process and succeeded in restoring calm. Egypt reacted strongly, severing relations with ʿAbd al‑ʿAzīz and halting the annual charitable provisions sent with the Maḥmal. Tensions persisted until the death of King Fuʾād and the accession of King Farūq in 1355 AH / 1935 CE, after which relations improved somewhat.
After returning to Riyadh, Saud was sent by his father to Egypt for treatment and surgery on his eyes. This visit was regarded as an informal gesture by King ʿAbd al‑ʿAzīz to ease tensions following the Maḥmal incident. It was Saud’s first journey abroad, undertaken in 1344 AH / 1925 CE aboard the Egyptian ship al‑Manṣūrah. In Cairo, he met with Prime Minister Saʿd Pasha Zaghlūl, and the meeting yielded positive political results that strengthened relations between Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
King ʿAbd al‑ʿAzīz’s reliance on Saud and his appointment as his general deputy in Najd—the seat of government—at the age of twenty‑four was based on the King’s keen political judgment and confidence in his son’s abilities. ʿAbd al‑ʿAzīz did not appoint Saud out of paternal affection alone, but because he was convinced that Saud was fully capable of bearing this great responsibility.
The Ikhwan Crisis
One of the most significant and sensitive roles played by Prince Saud alongside his father in strengthening the foundations of the Saudi state was his prominent contribution to addressing the challenges King Abdulaziz faced from certain Ikhwan elements whose actions were driven by mistaken beliefs and unreasonable demands.
King Abdulaziz had previously attempted to transform the Ikhwan into a constructive group aligned with his civilizational aspirations. He established for them the hijrah settlements in 1330 AH / 1912 CE to encourage their transition from the harsh life of the desert and to distance them from certain negative tribal customs. However, some of their members harbored reservations about these developments due to misunderstandings.
After the annexation of the Hijaz, some Ikhwan groups began rebelling and attacking the borders with Iraq and Kuwait, to the extent that the British government believed Abdulaziz was behind these incursions against his neighbors.
King Abdulaziz returned to Najd from the Hijaz, preceded by his father Imam Abdulrahman and his son Saud, who had been entrusted with administering Najd during the King’s absence. He called upon tribal leaders and scholars to convene in Riyadh to resolve the crisis through frank dialogue guided by Islamic law and its teachings. The Ikhwan held a separate meeting in Al-Artawiyah—one of their largest settlements—and insisted on maintaining their position against Abdulaziz. Faisal al-Dawish and several other leaders refused to attend the meeting in person and instead sent representatives to present their grievances.
The meeting concluded with a settlement between the parties, and Saud presented the tribal leaders to his father to renew their pledge of allegiance.
Despite this outward reconciliation, some Ikhwan leaders continued to harbor negative sentiments, as evidenced by the correspondence exchanged between them and Prince Saud.
Prince Saud played a crucial role in this crisis due to his administrative position in Najd and the prolonged absence of his father in the Hijaz for nearly two years. He was at the forefront of most of these events and discussions, serving as the primary interlocutor. The tribes’ trust in his upright and honest character, as well as his balanced approach—combining understanding with firmness—had a major positive impact during the crisis.
The Ikhwan continued their raids inside and outside the borders even after the conference. King Abdulaziz eventually decided to confront and restrain them after all peaceful means had been exhausted. He mobilized an army and advanced from Riyadh to Buraidah, then toward Al-Nubayqiyah, awaiting the arrival of his sons Saud and Muhammad. The Ikhwan were aware of Abdulaziz’s movements and planned to ambush Saud before he departed to join his father, intending to kill him and his family in Riyadh. For unknown reasons, the plan was never executed.
When Saud and Muhammad reached their father’s camp, they were ordered to advance to Al-Zulfi and then to Al-Sabla to confront the Ikhwan. After prolonged and fruitless negotiations between King Abdulaziz and Faisal al-Dawish, the two armies clashed on 29 March 1929 (1347 AH). The Ikhwan were defeated and forced to retreat before the advance of Abdulaziz’s sons, Saud and Muhammad. The battle ended in complete defeat for the Ikhwan within half an hour.
Afterward, Faisal bin Shablan, cousin of Faisal al-Dawish, sought refuge with Saud, entering his tent to request protection and intercession with King Abdulaziz, who pardoned him and the severely wounded Faisal al-Dawish.
However, this defeat did not extinguish the Ikhwan rebellion, which flared up again while King Abdulaziz was in the Hijaz. The King returned and prepared a new army to confront them, advancing from Mecca. Saud began assembling a force from the people of Riyadh to join his father in Al-Ahsa, where he had been instructed to establish a base to prevent the Ikhwan from attacking the region. This was due to the illness of Abdullah bin Jiluwi, governor of Al-Hofuf, who had been devastated by the death of his son Fahd in the Battle of ‘Awniyyah.
On his way to Al-Ahsa, Saud was ambushed by the Ajman tribe in the Dahna desert. Many of his companions were killed, but Saud managed to escape thanks to his father’s armored vehicle. He continued to Al-Hofuf, where he remained for several months carrying out significant responsibilities until he received orders to return to Riyadh after the Ikhwan rebellion had been suppressed and al-Dawish had surrendered and been imprisoned.
The Establishment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Appointment of the Crown Prince
With the end of the Ikhwan rebellion, King Abdulaziz moved to formalize the political identity of his state. He unified the name of the country under the title “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia” on 17 Jumada I 1351 AH / September 1932 CE.
Following this, the Consultative Council and senior officials approved the nomination of his son Saud as Crown Prince, after Saud had demonstrated leadership, wisdom, and courage in managing critical events. He became the King’s official successor, entrusted with continuing the mission of unifying the nation and advancing it according to the vision laid down by his father.
The decision was unanimously endorsed by members of the royal family, scholars, tribal leaders, and citizens. Umm al-Qura newspaper published an article on 25 May 1931 announcing preparations for the ceremony, highlighting the role of Prince Muhammad bin Abdulrahman in organizing it. King Abdulaziz then issued a royal decree from Jeddah on 16 Muharram 1352 AH formally appointing Prince Saud as Crown Prince. The pledge of allegiance was taken in Mecca at the Sacred Mosque.
Prince Saud carried this responsibility for twenty years during a transformative period marked by the unification of the Kingdom and the emergence of oil in 1932. The Kingdom’s economy was fragile, dependent on external aid and pilgrimage revenues. The discovery of oil enabled the state to begin administrative and financial reforms and to transition gradually from a tribal society to a modern state—a challenging transformation that Saud helped guide under his father’s supervision.
The Yemen War
King Abdulaziz faced new foreign policy challenges, including unresolved border disputes with Yemen. Imam Yahya of Yemen encroached into Saudi territory, prompting King Abdulaziz in 1934 (1352 AH) to dispatch two military campaigns. One was led by Prince Saud, who planned an attack on Najran and advanced stealthily through the rugged mountains of northwestern Yemen; the other advanced along the coastal route toward Al-Hudaydah.
Prince Saud’s force took the more difficult route through mountains known for their treacherous terrain—so formidable that they were called “the Mountains of Oppression.” The army had little knowledge of the geography, and movement between positions often required climbing with ropes.
Supplies dwindled due to the difficulty of reaching the troops. Yemeni forces raided Saud’s camps, stealing provisions and burning tents, forcing the soldiers at one point to eat kites—birds that feed on carrion and are normally not eaten.
The Yemeni tribes were intimately familiar with the mountain terrain and intensified their attacks. Saud and his men, accustomed to desert warfare, found themselves in a completely different kind of battle.
Saud divided his army into four units:
• One under Faisal bin Saad bin Abdulrahman toward Baqim
• Another under Khalid bin Muhammad bin Abdulrahman toward the area between Najran and Baqim
• A third under his own command advancing from the east
• A fourth that captured parts of Najran with local support
Saud’s forces defeated the Yemenis at the Battle of Haradh, advanced toward Ghamdan, and secured the region between Sa‘dah and Najran—despite the difficulty of reaching Sa‘dah even today. The tribes of the region were Zaydi and renowned for their combat prowess.
Saud’s presence drew the strongest Yemeni fighters toward him, which strategically eased the advance of the second Saudi force along the coast toward Al-Hudaydah, where resistance was minimal. The war ended with the Treaty of Taif in 1934.
British confidential reports noted that this campaign significantly elevated the international profile of Crown Prince Saud.
The Assassination Attempt on King Abdulaziz
A year after the treaty, during the Hajj season, King Abdulaziz survived an assassination attempt by four Yemenis while performing the Tawaf al-Ifadah on 10 Dhul-Hijjah 1353 AH / 16 December 1935 CE. Prince Saud was walking behind him and threw himself over his father to shield him, taking the blows in his own shoulder and back. His act became a symbol of filial devotion and sacrifice