By Dr. Muhammad Abduh Yamani
Today we return to the “Deputy of the Haram” column after a brief visit to the Dakkat al‑Aghawat, having received from the “Sublime Porte” all permissions to resume writing without reproach—an expression once used during the Ottoman era, when it was said: “A decree has come to us from the Sublime Porte.” The coming installments will continue what we began earlier.
This is an account I narrate about King Saud—may God have mercy on him—during his stay in Mecca. At that time, he had ordered the expansion of certain areas of the Sacred Mosque. He was deeply invested in this project and keen on its rapid completion, as the number of pilgrims had increased and the Mosque could no longer accommodate them during prayer. Work on the project began, and among the properties expropriated for it was a house belonging to the Al‑Sheibi family, the custodians of the Kaaba. Living in that house was an elderly, dignified woman of the family, known for her composure, presence, and the respect she commanded.
After the expropriation order was issued, she awaited the compensation that would allow her to purchase another home. The compensation procedures were delayed, and she became distressed. One day, our dear friend, Sayyid Ahmad Abdulwahhab—the Deputy of the Haram—visited her. The two families had long been closely connected: one entrusted by God with the custodianship of the Kaaba, and the other known as the family of the Deputy of the Haram.
She complained to him about the delay in compensation, expressing great frustration, saying:
“So now we are to live in an alley? Our only wealth is our home, and they have not given us our compensation.”
Sayyid Ahmad tried to calm her and explain that some administrative procedures were taking time, but she refused to be reassured and told him she intended to send a telegram to the King, informing him that “the Al‑Sheibi family is living in an alley.”
Sayyid Ahmad left her home concerned and went to one of the senior members of the Al‑Sheibi family at the time, Sayyid Asim Sheibi, a lawyer, asking him to help calm the situation. To his surprise, Sayyid Asim showed him a telegram he had already sent to King Saud, containing a long message that began:
“On behalf of the lady who owns the house, we inform Your Majesty that during your blessed reign, the Al‑Sheibi family is living in an alley.”
Sayyid Ahmad felt embarrassed, as the telegram had already been sent. He hurried to the Royal Court to help resolve the matter and expedite the compensation. There he met Sheikh Saleh Al‑Abbad—may God have mercy on him—who was then the Chief of the Royal Court. As Sayyid Ahmad greeted him and attempted to broach the subject gently, Sheikh Saleh surprised him by informing him that the King had already seen the telegram.
King Saud—may God have mercy on him—had ordered that a house be purchased for the family immediately and that they be moved into it. He also ordered that they receive their full compensation without delay, and that the lady who sent the telegram be reassured of his personal attention, appreciation, and respect for the custodians of the Kaaba.
Thus the matter was resolved. The lady received her compensation, moved into her new home, and the King’s response reflected his compassion, his concern for the dignity of his citizens, and his refusal to be angered by her message. Instead, he sought to comfort her and ensure she received her rights.
There is another incident involving King Saud—may God have mercy on him. People had complained to him that the Station of Abraham stood in the middle of the area of circumambulation, and that its structure obstructed the movement of pilgrims, especially as their numbers increased during Hajj, Umrah, and Ramadan. The King consulted the scholars about moving the Station slightly backward near the colonnade. Arrangements were made, and the builder Muhammad bin Laden was instructed to construct a new enclosure for the Station in the rear and prepare for its relocation.
Some time later, Sheikh Muhammad Metwally Al‑Sha‘rawi—may God have mercy on him—visited Mecca. When he saw the new structure and learned of the planned relocation, he objected. He informed the Imam of the Haram and several scholars who were with him—among them his former student, Sheikh Hassan bin Abdullah Al‑Sheikh—of the religious impropriety of moving the Station.
Sheikh Al‑Sha‘rawi sent a telegram to King Saud stating:
“Your Majesty, it is not permissible to move the Station of Abraham from its place, for it is both a place and a ‘makīn’—meaning that its location is divinely designated, and the stone upon which our father Abraham stood is fixed and must not be moved.”
He recounted to the King the story of the great flood during the caliphate of Umar ibn Al‑Khattab—known as the flood of “Umm Nahshal”—which displaced the Station. Umar—may God be pleased with him—insisted on returning it to its exact original position, relying on measurements previously recorded by the Companion Al‑Mutallib ibn Abi Wada‘ah Al‑Sahmi, as documented in the books of biography.
When King Saud read the telegram and consulted the scholars, he ordered that the Station remain in its original place, as it stands today. The newly built structure behind it was demolished. The King received widespread praise from across the Islamic world for this decision, which reflected his commitment to preserving sacred sites exactly as they were, and his refusal to alter any religious landmark except in accordance with divine instruction and the guidance of the Prophet—peace be upon him.
May God have mercy on King Saud and envelop him in His forgiveness. He was a man of great heart and generous hand, and today he rests with his Lord. We ask God to grant him mercy and pardon.
God is the One who grants success and guides to the straight path.