By: Mustafa Muhammad Al‑Sabahi
This king has become, in our age, a symbol of absolute justice—human justice derived from the Law of God, which takes “a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a woman for a woman,” and declares: “And in retribution there is life for you, O people of understanding.”
With this divine law, his great father—may God be pleased with him—established security throughout the Arabian Peninsula, made it easy for Muslims to perform their pilgrimage, and demonstrated to them the wisdom and benefit of these principles in the order of their lives and the soundness of their religion and worldly affairs. He went further, applying keen insight to the needs of his people and a penetrating vision toward what would bring them prosperity and growth. He wished his son to inherit this insight and reap its fruits over the years, so he appointed him Crown Prince and entrusted him, from childhood, with great responsibilities and weighty tasks. He sent him, at the age of thirteen, at the head of armies, and seated him before the people as a ruler and judge—all under his watchful eye, guidance, and instruction.
Thus, this king is an image of his great father. God granted him—just as He granted his father—expansiveness in knowledge and strength, making him an imam for his people, to whom they turn with their hearts, enjoying his compassion, seeking his guidance, and following his steps in advancing their country, serving their homeland, and safeguarding the limits set by God.
I met His Majesty King Saud in Makkah, in Jeddah, and in Riyadh, the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I found in him a king as a king of the Arabs ought to be, and as the rulers of Muslims must be—humility adorned with dignity, strength crowned with mercy, friendliness enveloped in reverence, faith, noble bearing, modesty, awe, true manliness, profound wisdom, and abundant knowledge of the needs of his people and the aspirations of the Arab and Islamic nations, with earnest effort to achieve good for his nation and for all peoples.
I met him in his great palace, Al‑Nasiriyyah, in Riyadh. I saw him accessible, with no barriers—no visitor turned away, no petitioner disappointed, no need too difficult to fulfill. When the call to Maghrib prayer was heard, he prayed, and we prayed with him—princes, tribal sheikhs, and guests. Two of his young sons, neither older than eight—one perhaps only six—prayed beside him. Just as he was raised upon the principles of religion, so does he raise his children upon them.
I met him in his court of justice, where cases were presented to him. He ruled on them with deliberation and precision—firm, fair judgments without injustice or negligence. News reached him instantly from every place—news of his kingdom and news of the world—carried by telegraph. He listened, understood, discerned, and then directed. He did not rise from his council until he was fully aware of every matter concerning the people, taking from it what served the interests of his country and his nation, and leaving aside what did not.
I met him in his council for his subjects, where his speech was all advice and guidance—examples from the righteous predecessors, encouragement toward noble character, urging adherence to the firm bond of faith, and instilling patriotism in the hearts of those present.
This is King Saud—as far as words can reach. Yet he is beyond that, and greater than that. May God preserve him, bless his righteous deeds with success, and make him a source of happiness for the Arabs and Muslims.