Report by: Abdullah Sultan
King Saud bin Abdulaziz, may Allah have mercy on him, left behind noble and unforgettable deeds that remain deeply rooted in the hearts of the people of the Northern Border Region and in the hearts of all Saudis.
From the time of our fathers and grandfathers until our present generation, his visits to the Northern Borders and his tours among his people are still remembered through stories and cherished memories.
In one particular year, severe drought and famine struck Najd and the Northern Border Region. When the news reached King Saud—may Allah rest his soul—he immediately ordered the dispatch of charitable aid, consisting of food supplies and essential goods, including rice, ghee, dates, and other provisions.
The person entrusted with this relief mission—known to our fathers and grandfathers as Hassoun or Al‑Hassoun—was accompanied by the Jihad Brigade, known today as the National Guard. The aid was distributed among the citizens, and it brought great relief at the time. It is said that this charity even reached parts of Syria and Iraq.
One elder from the region recounts that he owned a restaurant in Rafha during the period when the Tapline Company operated there with its foreign engineers. His restaurant was unjustly shut down by individuals who sought to harm him. The man sent a telegram from Rafha to King Saud in Riyadh, explaining that the restaurant was his only source of livelihood.
King Saud responded with a directive ordering that the restaurant be reopened and that the man’s livelihood must not be cut off.
In 1379 AH / 1959 AD, King Saud visited Rafha by airplane. True to the generosity of Abu Khairayn, he distributed money to the citizens. Sheikh Mishal Al‑Tamyat also prepared a lunch banquet for the King in a traditional Bedouin tent he had set up near the airport for the occasion.
There are many more stories—well‑known to all—of his kindness and noble actions. May Allah forgive him and grant him the highest ranks of Paradise. These memories form a historical legacy that will endure through generations and ages.