(His First Imamate in the Grand Mosque)
On Thursday, 1 Dhul‑Hijjah 1374 AH (21 July 1955), the royal motorcade departed from the royal palace in Jeddah, heading safely toward Makkah. Along the road, crowds of citizens gathered to welcome the King.
The procession reached Bab Makkah at exactly eleven o’clock, where a large number of residents received him warmly. Amid applause and heartfelt greetings, the King proceeded directly to the Grand Mosque, passing through rows of loyal citizens and honored visitors. A contingent of police officers rendered a military salute at the mosque’s entrance.
After circumambulating the Kaaba with humility and devotion, the call to Maghrib prayer was heard. A group of Muslim scholars who had come from various Islamic countries to perform Hajj surrounded the King and earnestly requested that he lead the prayer. The King graciously accepted their request and led the vast congregation of worshippers and pilgrims.
The moment left a profound impact on the hearts of the pilgrims, who raised their hands in supplication, praying that God preserve him for the Islamic world as the protector of the Two Holy Mosques, the beloved monarch of Arabia, and the guardian of the pilgrims’ comfort and well‑being. After the prayer, the King returned to the royal palace in Al‑Ma‘abidah.
(His Second Imamate in the Grand Mosque)
On Thursday afternoon, 6 Dhul‑Hijjah 1376 AH (4 July 1957), the King arrived at the Grand Mosque to perform the Maghrib prayer after completing tawaf. Senior leaders of the Hajj delegations and Islamic missions requested that he lead the multitudes of pilgrims gathered from across the world.
The King honored their request and led the Maghrib prayer in the Grand Mosque. Afterward, delegation heads approached him to greet him, congratulate him, and express their gratitude for his generous efforts in serving the pilgrims of the Sacred House.
(His Third Imamate in the Grand Mosque)
On Saturday, 11 Sha‘ban 1377 AH (1 March 1958), the royal motorcade departed the Jeddah palace around ten o’clock, heading to Makkah to perform ‘Umrah. The King was greeted with immense warmth along the road.
Upon his arrival in Makkah, the city’s garrison fired twenty‑one ceremonial rounds in his honor. The procession reached Bab al‑Salam at 11:10 a.m.
After completing tawaf, the King ascended to the roof of the Kaaba to personally inspect the restoration work. He then entered the Kaaba and placed the final stone in the marble interior cladding—marking the last stage of the restoration. He lifted the stone with his own hands, invoked the name of the Most Merciful, and set it in its place.
The atmosphere filled with prayers, takbir, and heartfelt supplications that God accept this righteous deed, make it sincerely for His sake, and preserve the Imam of Muslims in service of Islam and its people.
Afterward, the King proceeded to al‑Mas‘a between Safa and Marwah, greeted by crowds along the way. He then headed to the Grand Mosque for the Maghrib prayer. The worshippers requested that he lead them, and he graciously agreed, leading the congregation in the blessed Maghrib prayer.
He then proceeded to the royal guest palace.