By Farhan Abdullah Al‑Farhan
The house and residence known as Hosh Bin ‘Amer—or Al‑‘Amer House—is the home in which Imam Abdulrahman, father of King Abdulaziz Al Saud, lived during his stay in Kuwait.
Many Kuwaiti families that were prominent in the early history of Kuwait eventually lost their influence and financial standing over time—such is the nature of life. Among them was Ahmad bin Rizq, the wealthiest man Kuwait had known three centuries ago, praised by Sheikh Othman bin Sanad in his book Sabā’ik al‑‘Asjad. There were also the families of Bin Nouman and Al‑Haddad. One can see their legacy in the names of old mosques—such as Bin Butti Mosque and Sa‘id bin Bahr Mosque near Seif Palace—whose names have since changed. These families declined, as did the family of Bin ‘Amer.
In earlier times, the prefix “bin” was commonly used—bin Farhan, for example. Today, the Al‑Nisf family still preserves the form “bin Nisf,” which is admirable.
Among the old families was the Bin ‘Amer family, of whom only Ahmad Al‑‘Amer—founder and former editor‑in‑chief of Al‑Watan newspaper—remains.
This family played a significant role in the early formation of Kuwait. They were among the major horse traders in the region, alongside families like Al‑Badr and others engaged in the same trade.
A family of such stature naturally possessed a large and well‑located home. Their residence stood in the heart of the city, near Barahat Al‑Sab‘ān and close to Kuwait’s main market overlooking the sea.
By the late 19th century, the prominence of the Bin ‘Amer family had faded, and their house and courtyard stood empty. The house was adjacent to the home of Abdulrahman Hussein Al‑Zanki—father of Hassan, Abdullah, Ali, and Mubarak—and his wife, Hemyān ‘Isa Al‑Hay. The Bin ‘Amer house stood near Masjid Al‑Bahr, built by the late Muhammad Abdulrahman Al‑Bahr (the first Muhammad) on the remains of an old prayer ground that had once been part of the ancient cemetery. The eastern open area of that cemetery, overlooking Barahat Al‑Sab‘ān, served as a prayer space at the time.
The Arrival of Imam Abdulrahman Al‑Faisal in Kuwait
As political events unfolded in Najd and the Arabian Peninsula in the late 19th century, the Amir of the Al Saud territories—Muhammad bin Rashid—betrayed them, seized Riyadh, and overthrew their rule. Kuwait’s fortune was that Imam Abdulrahman Al‑Faisal Al Saud arrived seeking refuge.
It is as though history wished to record the deep affection, loyalty, and solidarity between the ruling families of the Gulf and Saudi Arabia—supporting one another in times of hardship, advising one another for the protection of their peoples. Thus, at the end of the 19th century, Imam Abdulrahman Al‑Faisal Al Saud stayed with his kinsman Sheikh Mubarak Al‑Sabah during the occupation of Riyadh.
History would later repeat itself when Sheikh Jaber Al‑Ahmad became a guest of Saudi Arabia during the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait—an enduring testament to mutual affection and unity.
From the Book Fajr Al‑Riyadh
The author quotes from Fajr Al‑Riyadh (pp. 39–40):
“Imam Abdulrahman Al‑Faisal arrived with his sons and family as guests of the Al‑Sabah in mid‑1310 AH (1892), after a journey of nearly two years since leaving Riyadh. He had traveled through the desert, Bahrain, and Qatar before settling in Kuwait with Ottoman approval.
There were longstanding ties of kinship between the Al Saud and Al‑Sabah families: the mother of Sabah, the ancestor of the Al‑Sabah, was Lulu’a bint Muhammad of Bani Murkhan—the forefathers of Al Saud.
It is incorrect, as Lorimer claimed, that Imam Abdulrahman settled in Al‑Ahsa between 1892 and 1897.
Imam Abdulrahman and his son Abdulaziz lived in Kuwait near Mubarak, observing events in Najd, gathering news from travelers, and offering counsel to Mubarak. Abdulaziz carried a burning determination in his heart, longing to reclaim what had been taken. Letters from his followers in Najd urging him to return only fueled his resolve.”
Where Did Imam Abdulrahman Live in Kuwait?
For nearly ten years, Imam Abdulrahman lived in Kuwait. It is historically important to identify his residence.
Upon his arrival, preparations had already been made to secure a suitable home for him. The vacant Bin ‘Amer house—large, well‑built, and centrally located—was chosen. It included a women’s quarters, a reception hall, livestock pens, and a courtyard connected to Barahat Al‑Sab‘ān, where camels would kneel to unload goods before heading to Najd.
Nearby stood a small prayer area that had once been part of the old cemetery.
The house can be located today: if you stand near Masjid Al‑Bahr by the current vegetable market and face the southeast corner, you will see a café occupying part of the sidewalk extending about fifty meters eastward. This was the Bin ‘Amer courtyard, later known as Bayt Al‑Manāz, because after Imam Abdulrahman’s departure it was used for weaving palm‑frond cradles called manz (plural: manāz).
Adjacent to it was the home of Abdulrahim Hussein Al‑Zanki. Another Bin ‘Amer house existed near the current Ma‘jil marketplace, purchased by Abdulrahman Al‑Ma‘jil in 1938. Both the Bin ‘Amer and Al‑Zanki families had two residences in the 19th century—one near Masjid Al‑Bahr and another near Al‑Mubarakiyah School.
Life in Kuwait (1892–1901)
During these years, Kuwaiti families held Imam Abdulrahman in high esteem. He visited various dīwāniyyāt when invited, including the Al‑Khamees dīwān in the eastern district, where leading figures gathered to greet him. Many were already contemplating preparations to help reclaim Riyadh.
King Abdulaziz—then Prince Abdulaziz—was a young boy when he arrived in Kuwait with his family. He grew up in this house with his parents and siblings. He later married Wadha bint Muhammad bin Barghash bin ‘Uray‘ir, who bore him his first son, Turki. During the period when Abdulaziz was planning with his brothers to retake Riyadh, she gave birth to Saud (the future King Saud).
Because she was occupied with household duties and receiving guests, her milk ran dry. Their neighbor, the wife of Abdulrahim Al‑Zanki—Hemyān ‘Isa Al‑Hay—took on the responsibility of nursing the infant Saud until the family returned to Najd. She continued to care for him, a testament to the deep bonds of neighborly loyalty—mirroring the loyalty between nations.
The Bin ‘Amer house was a hive of activity. Travelers arriving at Barahat Al‑Sab‘ān brought news from Najd. Nearby lived the Al‑Nafisi family, who had accompanied Imam Abdulrahman and later settled in Kuwait. One of them became King Abdulaziz’s representative in Kuwait, facilitating communication and assisting Kuwaitis in their dealings with Saudi Arabia.
The Young Abdulaziz and His Vision
Even as a child, Abdulaziz’s mind was fixed on reclaiming Riyadh. When asked whether Kuwait or Bahrain was better, he would immediately answer: “Riyadh.”
As he accompanied his father to Sheikh Mubarak’s palace in Al‑Surra, he would turn his gaze toward the qiblah—toward Najd. This determination would one day lead him to recapture Riyadh, then Najd, and ultimately unify the Kingdom—bringing peace and stability to the Arabian Peninsula after long years of conflict.
Conclusion
These are preliminary glimpses into the life of Imam Abdulrahman and his son, King Abdulaziz, during their years in Kuwait at the end of the 19th century.